Seoul, South Korea Report of what it's like to live there - 11/11/15
Personal Experiences from Seoul, South Korea
School Name:
Seoul International School
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
5 & 11
3. During what years were you affiliated with this school?
2011- Present
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Professional position of spouse
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
Outstanding academic community, facilities, college-prep program, personal visit to schools in Seoul
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
I think this is the same as other international schools we have been to in different countries.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
A It has been a while since we were new but there are many families who come in each year, mostly American or Koreans coming from America. New families this year have parent meetings and frequent contact with counselors and other new parents. I see meetings sponsored for new parents but have not attended any of these.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. Describe the general climate of the grade level that you teach or your child attends:
Both of my children have spent many years in American schools. It seems as though most of their classmates are from America, although
they look Korean the students all have families from America or that have spent significant time in the US or Canada.
2. For the following attributes, down to the next blank box, grade your experience at the school on a scale of A (excellent) to F (unacceptable/terrible) and provide comments:<br><br>Overall fair and equitable treatment of all students and families:
A We are very happy with the school program.
3. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
Excellent, in the ES they are very responsive. In the HS it is easy to email the teachers and get a response very quickly. Each semester there are open-houses and a two-day parent-teacher conference days.
4. Services for gifted students who need academic challenge and students with learning difficulties:
I know they can accommodate all students but do not know anything about the specific programs.
5. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
There is a laptop program (Mac) for all students from grades 6-12. All students need to have their own laptop although the school does provide for students who do not have them- but they are older models.
6. Availability and variety of after-school activities for various ages:
Lots in the ES, my child is active each of the ES trimesters with an activity. My HS child participates on many clubs during the school day and also on sports teams. Typically the sports teams play other schools in Seoul and also travel to Japan and other countries for competitions. This week the band is going to Hong Kong and there are trips to Bali with Habitat for Humanity and Cambodia with Unicef this semester. My HS child will travel with the team next semester.
7. Maintenance of appropriately high standards for all students:
This is one of the strong points of the school. The reputation this school has for academic excellence and for being a gateway to an outstanding U.S. univeristy is to top in all of Korea. As international schools go, this is the best program in Seoul.
8. Homework assigned (quality, quantity):
Seems fair, my children have never had significant issues with homework.
9. Administration-parent communication:
I think there are newsletters in each school. Plus, each month in the MS and HS they have open parent coffee type meetings. In the ES they have meetings for parents as well. I am able to see the administration at any time and occasionally drop-in or see them when I pick up my children. They are very nice and accommodating.
10. Teacher-student communication:
Seems good. This has not been a problem area....
11. Academics, answer the following questions "yes" or "no" with an explanation if appropriate:<br><br>Are there any classes or subjects where students are not appropriately challenged?
No
12. Does the school offer a wide variety of elective or non-core classes such as art, music, and drama?
Yes, at all levels.
13. Are there academic requirements such as trips or other activities that cost money in addition to school fees?
No, I think some overseas trips charge parents for expenses.
14. What activities do you feel are missing?
Some extended trips overnight to different areas of Korea. Many schools provide extension or week-without-walls trips but they do not have them here.
15. Have your children participated in the activities offered? If no, please indicate why:
Yes, everything they can!
16. Does the school provide appropriate assistance to new students?
I think so.
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
The HS has one of the best college counselors of any international school in the world. I think he has been at the school more than thirty years. Each year, more than half of the senior class goes to excellent universities in the United States. This is the reason we have decided to stay in Korea for my child's HS time.
2. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
Very good library with great databases and media resources.
3. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
I think every school in Seoul has an awesome tech connectivity. As far as classes, technology, coding, design, and Computer Science APs are offered.
4. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
I know PE is offered at all grade levels. The school has three gymnasiums, a pool, and a really nice turf field.
5. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
I am not sure of the number but my children seem very hapy with their classes. I know there are 17 students in my ES child's class.
6. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
A very strong and varied AP program, they offer more than 20 AP classes. Recently the school has been approved to offer the AP Capstone diploma.
7. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
There is a very wide range of electives for all students. All students have opportunities for Fine Arts electives. My HS child is very involved in art and music. The school has an outstanding Orchestra and Band. Probably one of the best for any international school we have ever seen.
8. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes, the teachers are fantastic. Not only great teachers but friendly and good coaches and nice people also.
9. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
Yes, a wide range.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
I don't know. Socializing in homes with children, is not really a 'Korean' thing. Most kids go out to the mall or other places when they get together.
2. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
Not that I know of. We have been in the school a long time.
Overall Impressions:
1. What is the greatest strength of this school?
American teachers, great academics, activities. Good location.
2. Greatest challenge?
Thinking about whether to stay for my younger child or not.
3. Would you choose this school again? Why?
Yes, we are very happy with the school and the new people this year. It is a very positive place and our children love it.
