Seoul, South Korea Report of what it's like to live there - 05/29/16
Personal Experiences from Seoul, South Korea
School Name:
Korea 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?
3rd, 5th, 8th
3. During what years were you affiliated with this school?
2014 and will be there until June 2017
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Embassy
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
Amazing administration and teachers
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?
yes
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
B-
KIS does a nice job of welcoming new students and helping them get settled. However, compared to other schools we have been to it doesn't welcome in the "whole family." I have only gotten to know a few other parents.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. Describe the general climate of the grade level that you teach or your child attends:
Welcoming and warm teachers and principals. Terrific academics; flexible environment that is very responsive to my children's needs. I have some kids who are high achievers and they are challenged at KIS. I have one who was behind when we arrived and they provided great push in services that brought him quickly up to grade level in both reading and math. The student body is generally less diverse than I would like, but that is true for all schools in Korea.
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 -
My kids have been treated very fairly by the teachers and as far as bullying and student-to-student behavior, it is all within the normal range of kid behavior. In the middle school, there can be some issues with the local kids picking on kids but the administration is incredibly responsive to it and handles it well.
3. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
It is great. I get emails when needed. They have a portal communication for general school announcements.
4. Services for gifted students who need academic challenge and students with learning difficulties:
A - As I mentioned they have an extensive support office that offers OT, reading, math and other supports for kids who need extra help. They also have leveled classes to provide more of a challenge for those who are able to push ahead.
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?
No -
6. Availability and variety of after-school activities for various ages:
A - They have great clubs for both elementary and middle school. They provide a free after school bus which is a big help.
7. Maintenance of appropriately high standards for all students:
They have very high standards. However, they also do a very good job of tempering the Korean pressure cooker/expectation that everyone must get all 100%'s to be successful. Almost all local kids go to after-school schools here (hogwans) until quite late at night. Their parents put unbelievable pressure on them succeed academically. KIS does a good job of building in fun things and less-academic but still valuable activities into the day.
8. Homework assigned (quality, quantity):
The homework load has been reasonable and manageable. Mostly just reading for elementary. They try to limit it or definitely have it be a project or something that makes sense to do at home. No busy work.
9. Administration-parent communication:
Great. Regular communications.
10. Teacher-student communication:
Great.
11. Does your child receive any special-needs assistance or instruction at this school? If yes, what types? Who provides services and where:
My youngest son got reading, handwriting and math support. They were able to bring him up an entire grade level. He enjoyed going to his pull-out. Those teachers regularly updated me and did a great job with him.
12. Please describe any problem areas or challenges in social interaction at the school:
I love everything about KIS. The two big drawbacks are that it is far from our housing. It is fine for the kids, since their bus can get in the express lane so it is only a half hour away for them. But, it is far whenever I have to go to school. Secondly, it is hard for me to get involved both because of the distance and because the PTO was conducted in Korean. When I went to things they were very nice to me and I am sure if I tried harder, I could have broken in but I just wasn't able to get there enough to get to know them.
Academics & Resources:
1. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
excellent library
2. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
Great IT. They fully integrate computers into the learning. They will give computers/Ipads to embassy kids if you choose to not buy one for your child.
3. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
A - terrific PE program. My kids look forward to it. They have an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a very good sports program.
4. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
I don't know it "officially" but in my kids' classes it is 12:1 and 14:1.
5. 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?
Not at the high school yet. Pretty sure it is AP.
6. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
A -
They have a great art and music program in all levels. Their drama program in middle school and higher is wonderful.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
My kids hang out with local and expat kids. However it is sometimes difficult since expats are a smaller group. It is supposed to be English-only and it is in the classroom, but on the playground, the local kids often revert to Korean. My boys don't notice/care, but my daughter often found it hard to break into. She does have local friends and we have had them over and vice versa.
Overall Impressions:
1. What is the greatest strength of this school?
Teachers and administrators - they are highly trained, welcoming, warm and friendly - dedicated to our kids
2. Would you choose this school again? Why?
Yes- It has been great for our kids.
