Deutsche Schule Seoul International vs Korea Kent Foreign School

	D Deutsche Schule Seoul International Seoul, South Korea	K Korea Kent Foreign School Seoul, South Korea
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ₩18,200,000 - 25,200,000	Fees / year ₩21,500,000 - 25,900,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 5 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum German Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP)
Pupils	Pupils 200	Pupils 290
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 17
Instruction language	Instruction language English, German	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1976	Opened 1994
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Deutsche Schule Seoul International is located at 123-6 Dokseodang-Ro, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04419, Republic of Korea. The campus sits in the Hannam-dong area of central Seoul. It is most readily reached by public transport, with several bus routes stopping near Hannam Sibeom Apartment, close to the school.	Location Korea Kent Foreign School is located at 13 Jayang-ro 35-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea 04933. The school sits in the eastern part of Seoul, within the Gwangjin district near Jayang-dong. It is served by KKFS's comprehensive school bus network with routes across many areas of the city and is accessible by Seoul's public transport network.
Stages	Stages The school offers a continuous path from Kindergarten through Grade 12, including the German International Abitur. The Sekundarstufe runs from Class 5 to Class 12 to prepare students for the Abitur, with English-language components in some subjects.	Stages KKFS serves Kindergarten (K5) through High School (12). The Elementary division covers K5 to 5th grade, Middle School covers 6th to 8th grade, and High School covers 9th to 12th grade.
School type	School type The Deutsche Schule Seoul International is a private, non-profit German international school operated by a registered school association. It is co-educational and serves a multicultural student body drawn from multiple national backgrounds.	School type KKFS is a private international school in Seoul. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and recognized by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support DSSE provides inclusive learning support, including Deutsch als Fremdsprache (DaF) and additional language and subject support delivered by extra teaching staff. There is a framework for language, subject, and talent development across the school.	Additional learning support KKFS provides a dedicated Student Support program, including a Social-Emotional Needs (SENCO) team offering individual counseling, group sessions, and crisis intervention, with collaboration among teachers, families, and mental health professionals. The Language Support team uses WIDA Standards for English learners and offers pull-out and push-in ELL instruction to help students access the curriculum.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is the only recognized German Auslandsschule (German international school) on the Korean peninsula, operating under German authorities. It is affiliated with Germany as a German international school.	Country affiliation KKFS is not affiliated with a specific country; it operates as a private international school serving foreign students residing in Korea.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is stated; the school operates as a secular German international school.	Religious affiliation KKFS does not advertise a formal religious affiliation; its mission emphasizes mindfulness, character education, and global diversity.
School day structure	School day structure The school day runs from 7:30 to 16:30, Monday through Friday. The campus also maintains a canteen serving meals during the day, with a mix of German, Korean, and international options.	School day structure The standard schedule runs from 8:20 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on a normal day; a half-day option runs from 8:20 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., with buses departing at 11:25 a.m.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school offers a comprehensive bus service with multiple routes, including stops such as Hyatt Millennium, Itaewon, Yongsan Park Tower, and Seongbuk-dong. Annual route fees vary by location (for example, 2,856,000 KRW for some routes; 3,507,000 KRW for others; 4,242,000 KRW for Seongbuk-dong). Bus rules require seat belts, supervision by a bus escort, and adherence to safety guidelines. Registration is via the school's bus application form, and stops can be planned around the family's home location.	Bus service details KKFS provides a school bus service with routes covering most areas in Seoul. Routes include Daechi–Jamsil, Misa–Godeok–Kangdong–Poongnap, Seocho–Banpo–Apgujeong, Hannam–Yongsan–Itaewon, Noksapyeong–Dongbinggo–Oksu, Namsan–Chunggu–Sungsu, Yangjae–Daechi–Gaepo–Ilwon, Yeongdeungpo–Yongsan, Dapsipli–Jangan, Seoul Station–Yongsan–Ichon, Jungja–Yatap, Garak–Songpa–Jamsil, and Yeoksam–Samsung–Jayang. Route changes may occur year to year, and safety is ensured with designated stops and bus monitors.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and admission fees - Processing fee (per child, non‑refundable): KRW 300,000. - Admission and membership fee — School (per family, non‑refundable): KRW 2,500,000. - Admission and membership fee — Kindergarten (per family, non‑refundable): KRW 1,500,000. - Supporting membership for persons without children (creditable if children register later): minimum KRW 300,000. Tuition fees (per year and per half‑year) — current published schedule - Kindergarten: KRW 19,070,000 per year / KRW 9,630,000 per half‑year. - School (general progression by length of attendance): - 1st, 2nd and 3rd school year: KRW 26,400,000 per year / KRW 13,300,000 per half‑year. - After the 3rd fully paid school year: KRW 23,770,000 per year / KRW 12,000,000 per half‑year. - After the 5th fully paid school year: KRW 22,450,000 per year / KRW 11,340,000 per half‑year. - After the 9th fully paid school year: KRW 21,130,000 per year / KRW 10,670,000 per half‑year. Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard billing: tuition is charged as a yearly amount and is payable before the start of the school year according to the invoice. - Installment option: payment in two half‑yearly instalments is possible only on written request submitted within 14 days of receiving the invoice; each half‑year invoice incurs a processing surcharge of 1% of the annual tuition per invoice. - Payment method: fees are paid by bank transfer; bank account details and the required invoice/reference number are provided on the invoice and must be quoted with the payment. No other payment methods are specified in the school's fee regulations. - Late payment: unpaid fees incur interest at 3.3% per annum (calculated in full months) and persistent non‑payment may lead to exclusion from school operations and legal collection measures. Boarding / accommodation - Boarding is not provided; the school operates as a day school (no weekly or full boarding fees are published). Other costs and recurring ancillary fees - School bus (annual charges vary by stop; not included in tuition and billed per year, no instalment option for bus fees): - Hyatt, Itaewon, Shindang‑Dong (Beotigogae), Oksu‑Dong — KRW 2,856,000 per year (round trip). - Hilton Millennium, Alice Monde, Yongsan Park Tower, City Park — KRW 3,507,000 per year (round trip). - Seongbukdong (morning only and return at 16:10) — KRW 4,242,000 per year (round trip). - Cafeteria / meals: a school canteen is operated by an external catering provider (daily meals, snacks and vegetarian options are offered). Meal costs are separate from tuition and are provided through the catering service. - Music lessons and private instruction: individual instrumental and vocal lessons are arranged between families and music teachers as private contracts; lesson fees are paid between the family and the instructor (the school facilitates contact and space). - Ganztags‑ and extracurricular courses: a wide range of after‑school courses and supervised programs are offered; the published materials do not list fixed additional tuition for core school hours, while some extracurricular or externally organised activities may carry separate charges (where applicable those charges are stated in the course communications). - Uniforms: no compulsory school uniform fee is listed among the published fee documents and downloads. Refund information and fee adjustments - Processing fee (application) and the admission/membership fee are non‑refundable. - Prorated calculation on entry or exit during the school year (school‑year fractions are applied as follows): - Entry 1 Aug–31 Oct: 100% of the annual fee due; Exit in that period: 25% refundable. - Entry 1 Nov–31 Jan: 75% of the annual fee due; Exit in that period: 50% refundable. - Entry 1 Feb–30 Apr: 50% of the annual fee due; Exit in that period: 75% refundable. - Entry 1 May–31 Jul: 25% of the annual fee due; Exit in that period: no refund. - Special cases: in cases of force majeure or extraordinary closure (for example extreme weather, war, pandemic) fees are not refundable as specified in the fee regulations. Summary of payment options - Primary payment channel for all fees is bank transfer; invoices include the required bank details and the invoice/reference number that must be used for payments. Half‑year instalment is available on request within the specified timeframe and carries a processing surcharge; school bus fees are billed annually and may not be paid by instalments.	Fee details Application and Enrollment Fees - Admission processing fee (non-refundable): KRW 200,000. - Registration fee (non-refundable): KRW 400,000. - Entrance fee (non-refundable): KRW 1,000,000. - Textbook deposit (payable at enrollment): KRW 200,000. Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts) - Kindergarten (K5): KRW 21,500,000. A 15% discount applies for additional family members (tuition only). - Elementary (Grades 1–5): KRW 22,400,000. - Middle School (Grades 6–8): KRW 24,100,000. - High School (Grades 9–12): KRW 25,900,000. Per-term amounts and term billing - The school publishes tuition as annual amounts by division; a per-term breakdown is not published in the published fee information. Parents should budget on the basis of the annual tuition amounts above. Other mandatory and optional fees - English Language Learners (ELL) instruction (when required): KRW 5,000,000. - Bus transportation (annual): KRW 2,800,000. Long-distance surcharge: additional KRW 200,000. - Graduation fee: Middle School KRW 200,000; High School KRW 300,000. (Graduation fee covers costs of the graduation process.) - Lunch: a separate lunch program exists; a separate lunch fee and refund policy apply but the published fee information does not list a single consolidated lunch fee amount. - Uniforms and other incidental costs: no uniform fee is specified in the published fee list; uniform and incidental costs (school supplies, optional activities, field trips, examination fees, etc.) should be expected in addition to published tuition and fees. Withdrawal, refund and late-enrolment terms (billing schedule implications) - Withdrawal refund schedule (percent of annual tuition): - APR 25 – Aug 10: 90% refund. - Aug 11 – Oct 17: 75% refund. - Oct 18 – Dec 19: 50% refund (late-enrolment discount 25% of annual tuition). - Dec 20 – Mar 20: 25% refund (late-enrolment discount 50% of annual tuition). - Mar 21 – Jun 12: no refund (late-enrolment discount 75% of annual tuition). - Ten-day notice: the withdrawal policy above applies when the student gives at least 10 days' notice to the Administration Office. Separate refund rules apply to bus and lunch fees. - Emergency exceptions: in unexpected emergencies (civil strikes, mass withdrawals, war, natural disasters, etc.), the school may refuse to refund tuition fees. Boarding - No boarding program or boarding fees are listed in the published fee information; boarding is not applicable as a billed item. Payment methods and terms - The published payment instructions provide bank-transfer details (domestic banks and SWIFT codes). Bank account details given are: - HANA BANK (SWIFT: KOEXKRSE) — Account name: Korea Kent Foreign School — Account number: 246-890009-08104. - Woori Bank (SWIFT: HVBKKRSEXXX) — Account name: Korea Kent Foreign School — Account number: 1005-501-764269. - Payment name instruction: tuition payments must be made in the name of the student(s); if a different name is used for payment, the administration office must be contacted. - Other payment methods (credit card, online payment portals, etc.) are not listed in the published payment instructions. Parents should plan on bank transfer as the primary payment mechanism. Contacts for fee inquiries and payment processing - Published departmental contacts for fee and admission questions are included in the school's admission and accounting contacts; specific department phone numbers appear with the published fee information. Notes on missing or variable items - The published fee information lists annual tuition, enrollment fees, textbook deposit, bus, ELL and graduation fees, and a withdrawal/refund schedule. It does not publish a term-by-term fee table, specific uniform charges, or a consolidated lunch-price schedule. Parents should allow for additional incidental and program costs beyond the amounts listed above.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Deutsche Schule Seoul International offers a continuous German international curriculum from Kindergarten through Grade 12, with German as the primary language of instruction and English-language subject classes in the arts, history and geography. In Sekundarstufe (grades 5–12), students follow an eight-year pathway that culminates in the Deutsche Internationale Abitur in the Oberstufe (grades 11–12). After completing Sekundarstufe I, pupils may earn the Hauptschulabschluss as a recognised exit credential. The Oberstufe leads to the Abitur with three written and two oral exams, and the overall result combines 36 points from the Qualifikationsphase with the five Abitur exams weighted fourfold. Instruction is predominantly German, with English-taught Fachunterricht in some subjects and English-language Abitur examinations; English begins in grade 3 and French from grade 6.	Curriculum details The KKFS curriculum is CCSS-based across all divisions, with Elementary building a foundation through CCSS, eight Character Traits, Schoolwide Learning Outcomes (SLOs), and the Explore, Reflect, Apply framework. Middle School continues CCSS with increased independence, maintaining the eight Character Traits and SLOs focused on critical thinking, creativity, technology, mindfulness, and cultural empathy. High School sustains CCSS and is enhanced by a wide Advanced Placement (AP) program, supported by personalized college counseling and university readiness guidance, while keeping the Character Traits and SLOs central. Graduation requires a minimum of 21 credits for the high school diploma (23 for college-bound students), with a passing mark of at least 60% per semester; the credit breakdown is Language Arts 4, Social Studies 4, Mathematics 3, Science 3, Computer 1, Language 1, and Electives 5 (total 21; 23 for college-bound). The curriculum offers Electives in Music, Art & Design, PE, Computer Science, and World Language, including AP Studio Art, and language options such as AP Chinese, Spanish, Mandarin, and Korea. Grade placement is guided by a Grade/Age Eligibility Chart that maps birth dates to grades.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Admissions Process Look & See and eligibility check. Before applying, review the Korean government prerequisites for international schools in Korea. At least one parent must be non-Korean, or the child must have at least 1095 days (three years) living abroad, or other criteria related to the child's schooling history. You are invited to visit the school for a consultative discussion and a tour, where staff will answer questions about the program, community, and living in Seoul. During this visit you can clarify which eligibility path applies to your family and gather initial information about the campus and schedule. 2. Submission of the admission form. If applicable, provide evidence of German language knowledge; a language test may be conducted on site. If Korean citizenship is held by either parent, documentation of the child's overseas residence days (1095 days) is required. For children of foreign-born parents, Germany-based documentation may also be requested. 3. Bearbeitungsgebühr (admission processing fee) and admission/membership fees. Upon a favorable review, you receive a set of payment requests: a processing fee per child (non-refundable) of 300,000 KRW; an admission and membership fee for the School (per family, non-refundable) of 2,500,000 KRW; and, if applicable, an admission and membership fee for Kindergarten (per family, non-refundable) of 1,500,000 KRW. A minimum additional supporting membership (for individuals without children at the school) is encouraged and creditable if children are registered later. These charges are due after admission confirmation. 4. Admission interview. After payment confirms, you attend an admission interview with the school or kindergarten leadership and the relevant teachers. The interview provides detailed program information and allows you to raise any final questions about the child's start date, class placement, and support needs. 5. Admission decision and School Association membership. The school admission decision is communicated to you in writing. All parents become members of the Deutsche Schule Seoul International School Association as part of the admission process; membership is a prerequisite for enrolling children in kindergarten and/or school. 6. Payment of fees. Following the admission offer, you receive an invoice for the required fees. Payments cover tuition, school/kindergarten fees, and any bus services if applicable. Invoices can be paid in full by the due date or, upon written request within 14 days of the invoice, in two half-year installments. A 1% surcharge applies to semi-annual payments. 7. Submission of additional documents and start preparations. Before the first day of school or kindergarten, additional documents may be requested. Class or group leaders will provide start-day information and guidance to help your child settle in smoothly. Notes on language and program. The school teaches in German as the primary language of instruction, with English-language subject instruction in certain areas (e.g., arts, history, geography). A bilingual environment supports students toward the International German Abitur. This language arrangement is reflected in the program and curriculum materials.	Admissions Step 1: Application Form and Required Documents. Begin by completing the Application Form and gathering the required documents. You must provide two color photos (3x4 cm), copies of the student's passport and both parents' passports, and the Family Registry & Birth Certificate. You also need to show proof of eligibility in one of the categories: three years overseas, foreign parents with the appropriate residence documents and statements, transfer from another accredited international school with an enrollment certificate, or six semesters of official report cards from schools abroad. In addition, submit confidential recommendation letters (Elementary: one letter from the current homeroom teacher; Middle: one letter from the current English teacher; Middle/High: two letters from English and Math teachers), official transcripts for the current year and the last three years translated into English with notarization, a self essay (K–G12), any available standardized test results, and a completed medical record form including immunization. Please note that submitted documents will not be returned. This step group is described in KKFS's admissions instructions.
Scholarships	Scholarships 3) Scholarships DSSE does not operate a traditional scholarship program. The school provides fee-support options through the Schulgeldermäßigung (tuition reduction) program for families facing financial hardship, and there are also long-term attendance discounts. Details are available through the administration on request. Specifically: - Schulgeldermäßigung (tuition reduction) for families facing financial difficulties; a formal application process exists, with information and the application form available from the administration. - Ermäßigung der Schulgebühr (tuition reductions for long-term attendance) reduces the tuition depending on how many school years a student has attended; the discount is not transferable to siblings and does not credit kindergarten. - The Fees Regulation sets the rules for these reductions, including eligibility and application procedures. These scholarship-like provisions are described in the Fees Regulation (Gebührenordnung).	Scholarships KKFS does not publish traditional scholarships on its financial information pages. The available financial aid details include a 15% discount for additional family members (sibling discount) applied to tuition. No need-based or merit-based scholarship programs are described on KKFS's Tuition & Fees page.
Waitlist	Waitlist 2) Waitlist / Pool DSSE does not publish a waitlist or pool system for admissions. The published admissions process centers on eligibility checks, document submission, processing of fees, an admission interview, and an official admission decision followed by fee payment and onboarding steps. There is no separate waitlist procedure described in the admissions materials.	Waitlist Waitlist/pool details are not published in KKFS's public admissions materials. The admissions process is described in a five-step framework (document submission, fee payment, testing, decision, and registration) with no explicit waitlist or pool policy listed on the official pages. As such, there is no publicly documented waitlist procedure to reference.
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