FAQs

Typically, we begin accepting applications for the new school year (a year out) in November and begin offering admission decision in March. When all required documents are received, the application can be reviewed for admission if space is available at the appropriate grade level.

If a grade level is at capacity, we will maintain a waitpool. We know that your child’s education is a major concern in your accepting the move to Seoul so our best advice is to complete the application process as early as possible.

For new students beginning in August, New Student Orientation is offered the day before the first day of classes. This is an opportunity for new students to meet other new students, teachers, counselors, principals, and to tour the school.

For students beginning after the first day of school, the section counselor will assign new students a “buddy” to help them through the first week of school.

The new school year typically begins the second week in August and ends mid-June. Holidays include the Korean national holidays, three weeks at Christmas, a week during Lunar New Year, and a week each for Spring Break and Fall Break. Take a look at our calendar to view the flow of a typical year.

Elementary School/Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 students attend school Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-3:00 pm. Pre-K 2 students attend either half day from 8:00-11:30 am or a full day from 8:00 am-2:00 pm.

Middle School/Key Stage 3 and High School students attend school from 8:00 am-3:15pm.

Elementary School: The maximum class size is 15-17 students in Early Childhood  (PK ), and 20 in Kindergarten. In Grades 1-5, the class size is approximately 22 students per classroom. Teacher assistants are provided up to Grade One. In addition, parents and high school volunteers may assist teachers in the classrooms.

British School: The class size is 22-24 students per classroom in Year 1 through Year 9.  Teacher assistants are provided up to Year 3.

Middle School: The class size is approximately 22-24 students per classroom.

High School: Class sizes range from 5 to 25 depending on the course. Lower division classes tend to have more students while some specialized upper division courses can have very few students.

Insuring students have appropriate teacher support for optimal and safe learning, class sizes may vary.

Each section - British School, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School - have guidelines for student dress. Please see this document for details on each of the dress codes and uniform requirements.

British School: Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 students take home a reading book every night; Year 3 and Year 4 students spend approximately 45 minutes per night on homework; Year 5 and Year 6 students spend approximately one hour each night; and Year 7, Year 8, and Year 9 students can expect to spend anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes for homework each night. Each child has a Homework Organizer with assignments that parents can access.

Elementary School: The amount of time any student spends on homework assignments normally should not exceed 30 minutes per night for Grades 1-2, and 60 minutes per night for Grades 3-5.

Middle School: Typically Grade 6 students are assigned an average of about 90 minutes of homework daily; Grade 7-8 have about two hours. However, the amount of time a child spends each night will depend on his or her academic background, study skills, maturity level, and organizational skills.

High School: About three to four hours of homework per day should be expected; however, during exam times, more time may be necessary.

British School: Korean, French and Chinese

Elementary School: Korean and Chinese

Middle School: Spanish, French, Chinese, and Korean

High School: Spanish, French, Chinese and Korean

Yes!

Schoolwide, there are SWEP (School Wide Extracurricular Program) activities which include ballet, robotics, swimming, chess, gymnastics, urban farming, Taekwondo, soccer and more. Learn more about all of the offerings and programs here.

SFS requires all children to participate in the school’s religion curriculum. Instruction introduces children to Christian teachings and values, but is non-denominational and non-evangelistic in orientation. 

SFS students come from a wide variety of religious orientations including Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Students of all faiths participate in the school’s religion curriculum. The format of the religion curriculum varies among the four sections. 

The School’s underlying Christian ethos is an important aspect of the Seoul Foreign School experience.

The majority of our graduates enroll at universities in the United States, with the remaining students entering universities in the United Kingdom or their home countries. The goal is to find an appropriate match for each student – academically as well as socially.

A wide range of universities including the most selective, hold SFS in high regard; they know that a student who graduates from SFS is well-prepared to succeed in the most competitive of environments. Learn more about the university admissions process here.

We have a fleet of buses serving most of the expatriate residential areas of the city but are generally limited to driving routes that do not exceed one hour in driving time each way. Although we do our best to accommodate all families, we cannot guarantee school bus service. Please refer to our transportation page for more details.

Students have an option to bring lunch from home. However, most students perfer a hot lunch in one of our two cafeterias. In the Elementary School, British School and Middle School students  have a selection of Korean and Western food options with lots of fruit and vegetables, provided by J&J catering. Students in our High School have their own cafeteria run by Crave catering, who provides varied, organic hot food with lots of salads, wraps and snacks. There are also two coffee shops serving coffee, tea, and bread and pastries. Menus are available in advance in the current families portal.

Yes! We welcome our parents in many different ways. Parent volunteers give their time and talents to enhance the student experience and support the school. Learn more about the Parent Association here.

It varies from year to year, but on average, the 50% are US citizens with the remaining 50% representing nearly 50 nations.

The majority of the teachers are from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Most of our foreign languages teachers are from their native countries.

Yes, there are many. A list of local English church services in Seoul can be acquired at the Christian Ministries Office. As service schedules are subject to change, please contact the churches to confirm service times.