Dwight School Seoul vs Korea Foreign School

	D Dwight School Seoul Seoul, South Korea	K Korea Foreign School Seoul, South Korea
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ₩27,301,000 - 35,311,000	Fees / year ₩27,300,000 - 28,300,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 6 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 540	Pupils 121
Typical class size	Typical class size 19	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened 2007
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Dwight School Seoul is located at 21 World Cup Buk-ro 62-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03919, South Korea. The campus sits in Seoul's Digital Media City, a district associated with Korea's broadcasting and media industries. It is part of the Dwight global network of international schools.	Location Located at 509 Yeoksam-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06185, Republic of Korea. It sits in the Gangnam district, a central business and expatriate area in Seoul. The campus is accessible by major transit routes in southern central Seoul; directions from Incheon Airport use COEX Mall with a 15‑minute walk to the school.
Stages	Stages Grades: Preschool 3s–Grade 12. The school offers the International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, and DP) across all divisions.	Stages Korea Foreign School offers the IB Primary Years Programme for Grades 1–5 and Cambridge International Programme for Grades 6–12. Cambridge qualifications include the Cambridge AICE Diploma for high school.
School type	School type Co-educational; day school. No boarding facilities are offered.	School type KFS is a foreign school registered with the Korean Ministry of Education and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). It operates as an IB World School (PYP) and a Cambridge International School (Secondary).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Quest provides learning support across the IB continuum. Services include English language learning support, academic learning support, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy, delivered by Quest specialists with individualized goals.	Additional learning support KFS provides English Language Learner (ELL) support for students who speak a language other than English at home. Placement is determined by the WIDA MODEL assessment; services include push‑in, pull‑out, and an ELL Intensive program, with schedules adjusted as needed.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation None stated as a country-specific affiliation; the school is part of the Dwight global network with campuses in multiple countries (e.g., New York, Jersey City, London, Seoul, Shanghai, Dubai, Cairo).	Country affiliation No country affiliation is listed; KFS is registered with the Korean Ministry of Education as a foreign school.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Not specified; the school operates as an international IB school without a public religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is listed.
School day structure	School day structure The school day typically runs from about 8:20 AM to 3:20 PM. The cafeteria offers a lunch program with Semester or Annual plans, and Morning Café service begins at 7:30 AM.	School day structure The school day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Bus service details	Bus service details Dwight Seoul offers full-year bus transportation with Round Trip or One Way options (Morning, Afternoon, or Activity Bus). Service covers a broad range of neighborhoods in Seoul and nearby areas. Seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; a waitlist is used when full. Registration is required via forms, and a dedicated Bus/Transportation Coordinator (Julie Kim) administers the program.	Bus service details A school bus service operates in multiple districts: Gangnam-gu, Seocho-gu, Yongsan-gu, Songpa-gu, Mapo-gu, Itaewon-dong, Hannam-dong. Bus fees are non‑refundable, and a Transport Information Form is required for bookings and route changes.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & assessment fees - Application fee: KRW 100,000 (one-time, payable at application). - Assessment fee: KRW 300,000 (one-time, due prior to interview/assessment). One-time / entry fees and deposits - School Development Fund (New student): KRW 5,000,000 (non‑refundable). - School Development Fund (returning/existing student, second year): amounts reported (examples: KRW 3,500,000 for most returning students; KRW 500,000 for returning preschool students). These development / capital fees are published as non‑refundable. - Library book deposit (one‑time): KRW 200,000 (refundable). - Parents' Association fee (annual): small administrative charge invoiced on behalf of the parents' association (published examples: KRW 35,000). Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts) - Early Childhood Division (Preschool 2–4 years), full day: KRW 27,266,000 per year. - Early Childhood Division (Preschool 2–4 years), half day: KRW 13,633,000 per year. - Lower School (Kindergarten – Grade 5): KRW 35,276,000–KRW 35,311,000 per year (published figures for Lower School and most primary grades are in this range). - Upper School (Grade 6 – Grade 12): KRW 35,276,000–KRW 35,311,000 per year (published figures for Middle and High School are in this range). Note on per-term amounts: the publicly available fee summaries publish tuition as annual amounts. A per‑term breakdown (for example, exact amounts per semester or per term) is not published in the public fee summaries reviewed; families are invoiced on the school's billing schedule. The school's public fee documents and published summaries list annual tuition by year group rather than fixed per‑term figures. Billing schedule and payment terms - The published fee materials present annual tuition and one‑time fees; explicit, detailed per‑term invoice dates, installment schedules, or early‑payment discounts were not available in the public fee summaries reviewed. Families are issued tuition and fee invoices according to the school's billing procedures. Specific invoice due‑dates, installment options, penalties for late payment and pro‑rating rules are set in the official fee notice or invoice documentation. (Public summaries reviewed do not list the full billing timetable or installment schedule.) Boarding fees - Dwight School Seoul operates as a day school; no boarding program or boarding fees are published. Boarding fees are not applicable. Other recurring or optional costs - Lunch (cafeteria): Regular lunch plan — 1st semester KRW 510,600; annual KRW 1,242,000. Halal lunch plan — 1st semester KRW 769,600; annual KRW 1,872,000. Daily and Grade 12 daily plans are available at published per‑day rates. Payments for cafeteria services are handled separately and are payable to the catering provider by bank transfer. - Extracurricular activity, yearbook, exam fees, transportation and special programme fees: these are charged in addition to tuition and vary by participation. Typical examples in published fee summaries include optional bus/transportation charges and activity fees; amounts are published separately when applicable. Refund information - Library book deposit: published as refundable. - School Development Fund/capital contribution: published as non‑refundable at the levels listed for new and returning students. Other one‑time charges are generally described as non‑refundable in the published fee summaries. - Pro‑rating and refunds for mid‑year starts or withdrawals: public fee summaries indicate that pro‑rating may apply for services such as lunch when enrollment begins after the start of the year; full withdrawal/refund terms and timings are set in the school's official fee policy and invoice terms (detailed refund schedule and withdrawal penalties were not available in the public summaries reviewed). Fee payment options - Cafeteria/lunch payments: bank transfer to the catering provider (Cezars Kitchen) is published for lunch payments. - Tuition and other school fees: the public fee summaries reviewed list the amounts and one‑time fees but do not publish a complete menu of accepted payment channels (for example, specific school bank account details, credit card acceptance or online payment portal) in the materials that were available. Payment channel details (bank account for wire transfers, credit card acceptance, virtual account details or other methods) are provided on official invoices and the school's fee notice to families. Summary of sources and limits of available public information - Published annual tuition and the one‑time entry and deposit amounts are available in recent public fee summaries and school directories; the numbers above reflect those published annual amounts and one‑time fees. - Detailed per‑term invoicing amounts, a full billing calendar (exact invoice due dates and installment dates), the school's bank details or explicit lists of accepted payment methods for tuition were not present in the public fee summaries reviewed. The cafeteria payment method (bank transfer to the catering provider) and the specific lunch fees were published.	Fee details Application and enrolment charges - Application fee (new students): KRW 300,000 (non‑refundable). - Registration fee (new students): KRW 500,000 (non‑refundable). - Capital development fee (new students): KRW 4,000,000 (non‑refundable). - Timing: the application fee is paid at the time of application; once a place is offered families generally have 15 days to accept and, in most situations, the application and registration fees are required to be paid within one week of acceptance. Annual tuition and per‑term breakdown (by grade group) - IB Primary Years (Grades 1–5): KRW 26,000,000 per year. - Cambridge Secondary (Grades 6–12): KRW 27,000,000 per year. - School calendar: the school year is divided into two semesters. Using that division, the corresponding per‑semester amounts are: - Grades 1–5: KRW 13,000,000 per semester (annual KRW 26,000,000 ÷ 2). - Grades 6–12: KRW 13,500,000 per semester (annual KRW 27,000,000 ÷ 2). (These per‑semester figures are arithmetic divisions of the published annual tuition and are presented as the term breakdown consistent with the school's two‑semester academic year.) Additional refundable fees (may apply depending on services used) - Learning support (where applicable): KRW 5,000,000. - English Language Learners (ELL) support (where applicable): KRW 5,000,000. - Bus fee (annual): KRW 3,600,000. - Lunch fee (annual): KRW 1,800,000. - Cambridge examination fees (Grades 10–12): KRW 525,000–KRW 1,200,000 depending on grade. - Graduation fee (Grades 5 and 12): KRW 50,000–KRW 100,000 depending on grade. Additional non‑refundable and other one‑time fees - Application fee (new students): KRW 300,000 (non‑refundable). - Registration fee (new students): KRW 500,000 (non‑refundable). - Capital development fee (new students): KRW 4,000,000 (non‑refundable). - Replacement fee (returning students): KRW 1,000,000. - Technology fee (returning students): KRW 300,000. - Supply fee: Grades 1–5 KRW 100,000; Grades 6–12 KRW 50,000. - Textbook fee: KRW 72,000–KRW 495,000 depending on grade. Sibling discount - A 5% tuition discount applies for each additional child enrolled. Billing schedule and payment terms - Application and early enrolment payments: - Application fee is required at application submission. - Following an offer of a place, families are generally given 15 days to accept; application and registration fees are normally due within one week of acceptance. - Bank details are provided for KRW and USD payments; parents should include the child's full name in transfer details to ensure correct matching. The school lists KEB Hana Bank with separate KRW and USD account numbers and a SWIFT code for international transfers. - The school's publicly posted material does not set out a detailed multi‑installment tuition schedule or specify public credit‑card acceptance terms; the documented, confirmed payment method is bank transfer to the listed KEB Hana Bank accounts. The application and tuition pages provide the bank account numbers and SWIFT code for payments. Refund information and withdrawal terms - Refunds: tuition and refundable fees are eligible for refund in accordance with the school's published refund schedule. - Notice: a one‑month notice before the child's last day of attendance is required to process a withdrawal and refund. - Discounts: any discounts applied (for example sibling discounts) are excluded from refunds and are deducted from refunded amounts. - Temporary absences: tuition and additional fees are not reduced or refunded for temporary leaves (travel, sickness, etc.). - Timing of refunds: for operational reasons refunds may be paid in installments over a period of up to six months after withdrawal. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable. Students are required to be in full‑time residence with at least one parent or a legal guardian; there is no boarding programme listed. Uniforms and other ancillary costs - Uniforms are purchased from the school‑designated supplier (ELITE UNIFORM, Gangnam branch). No uniform price list is published on the publicly available pages. - Other ancillary costs that families should budget for include the bus and lunch fees, textbooks, supplies, technology fee, and examination fees (listed above). Confirmed fee payment options (as published) - Bank transfer to KEB Hana Bank (KRW account and USD account provided). SWIFT code KOEXKRSE is listed for international transfers; include the child's full name in transfer details. - No public documentation on the school pages confirms acceptance of credit/debit card payments for tuition; the referenced payment instructions show bank transfer details as the primary method. If you need these figures placed into your database fields exactly as shown above, the principal load‑bearing fee lines and the bank account entries are supported by the school's published fee schedule and admissions pages.
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 Dwight School Seoul offers an International Baccalaureate continuum (ECD, PYP, MYP, DP) with English as the language of instruction. The Early Childhood Division (ECD) serves children aged 2 to 6 using play-based, inquiry-focused learning to build foundational skills. The Primary Years Program (PYP) is offered for grades 1–5, with five units in Grade 1 and six units in Grades 2–5 centered on six transdisciplinary themes and six IB subjects (mathematics, science, social studies, language, arts, and physical, social and personal education). The Middle Years Program (MYP) runs for grades 6–10 and comprises eight subject groups—Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design—united by global contexts and inquiry-based learning. The Diploma Program (DP) is for grades 11–12 (ages 16–19) and includes six subject groups plus a core of Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service; assessments include externally evaluated examinations.	Curriculum details Korea Foreign School offers the IB Primary Years Programme for Grades 1-5 and the Cambridge International Curriculum for Grades 6-12. In the PYP, learning is inquiry-based within six transdisciplinary themes (Who We Are; Where We Are in Place and Time; How We Express Ourselves; How The World Works; How We Organize Ourselves; Sharing the Planet), guided by a Programme of Inquiry and UbD-based planning, with literacy and mathematics integrated. PYP subjects include English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Art, Korean, Spanish, Design, and Technology, and students complete two NWEA MAP assessments each year. Cambridge Lower Secondary (Grades 6-8) includes English, Mathematics, Science, Global Perspectives, Korean, Art and Design, Coding, Physical Education, and Service Learning; Cambridge Upper Secondary (Grades 9-10) adds Spanish and College and Career Readiness and offers Cambridge IGCSE assessments; Cambridge Advanced (Grades 11-12) provides AS/A Levels and related options. Graduation pathways include a KFS Diploma through internal assessments (23 credits, Service Learning, Global Perspectives Research) and the Cambridge AICE Diploma via external examinations; many students complete both, with the AICE requiring at least 7 credits across AS/A Levels. KFS is accredited by WASC and is an IB World School and a Cambridge International School.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Approximately 1:5.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results Diplomas: KFS Diploma (internal assessments) and Cambridge AICE Diploma (AS/A Levels) through external exams; Cambridge IGCSE assessments are offered in Grade 10.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Graduates have access to global university admissions; the school emphasizes international qualifications (IB and Cambridge) widely recognized by universities worldwide.
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. Submit Application. Submit the online application and pay the KRW 100,000 application fee. Attach all required documents: a copy of the applicant's passport, copies of both parents' passports, and copies of the applicant's and parents' Alien Registration Cards if applicable. Provide the family registry or birth certificate, plus the student's Entry/Exit statements for overseas applicants. Include a New Student Health Form and transcripts (current year plus the previous two years), plus a Confidential Teacher Recommendation Form. For Early Childhood Division (PS and K), include a report or recommendation from the current or previous school; Lower School (Grade 1–5) applicants should submit one recommendation from their current homeroom teacher; Upper School (Grade 6–12) applicants should submit two recommendations: one from the applicant's English Language Arts teacher and another from a different subject teacher. If applicable, submit an application for bus service. Grades 6–12 applicants also submit an Applicant Questionnaire; Grades 11–12 require a Diploma Programme Course Selection Form. Transcripts must be sent directly from the current school to Dwight; if the transcripts or recommendations are not in English, include an official translation. This process and the listed requirements pertain to the 2025–2026 academic year. 2. Interview & Assessment. After the application, fee, and all required documents are received, an interview and admissions assessment will be scheduled. The interview/assessment typically lasts about 1.5–2 hours. DP applicants (Grades 11–12) must attend an additional interview with the Upper School Principal and the IB Diploma Coordinator. If a student is applying from overseas and cannot attend in person, the interview can be conducted via Zoom or Google Meet, with a teacher or counselor at the applicant's current school administering the assessment. 3. Review & Evaluation. The family must ensure the application is complete, as incomplete applications are not reviewed. Following the interview and assessment, the Admissions Committee evaluates the application; in some cases, additional action may be required, such as an extra day on campus for further observation or assessment. Previous reports or the Confidential Teacher Recommendation Form may prompt contact with the previous school for clarification. For Diploma Programme applicants, English as an Additional Language is not available in DP, and learning support is limited to time management and study skills. Offers of admission are at the discretion of the Principals and Head of School, with a holistic review of the student's records, behavior, recommendations, extracurriculars, service, and attitudes toward learning. 4. Admissions Decision. When a decision has been made, parents are informed by email through Open Apply. Fees (summary for 2025–2026): The Tuition & Fees document shows the following for 2025–2026. Early Childhood Division (Preschool 2–4 years) Full day: KRW 27,266,000; Half day: KRW 13,633,000. Lower School (Kindergarten–Grade 5) and Upper School (Grade 6–12) tuition: KRW 35,276,000 each. Additional fees include: Application Fee KRW 100,000; Assessment Fee KRW 300,000; School Development Fund for New Students KRW 5,000,000 (non-refundable); Existing Student (2nd year) KRW 3,500,000 (non-refundable); Existing Preschool Student (2nd year) KRW 500,000 (non-refundable); Library Book Deposit KRW 200,000 (refundable); Parents' Association Fee KRW 35,000 (non-refundable). Optional/ancillary items include Bus Service (Round Trip, annual) KRW 3,600,000; Daily Meal options (Regular KRW 7,200; Halal KRW 10,700); Full Quest Program at 50% of tuition; Yearbook KRW 60,000; MYP/DP-related fees (e.g., DP exam and textbooks deposits) as listed in the document. Enrollment/deposit and payment terms include: a non-refundable enrollment deposit of KRW 3,000,000 due within 7 days of admission; balance due within 14 days; a 1% early payment discount if tuition/fees are paid by March 31, 2025; a 5% late fee for late payments; and installment options with 2% interest upon approval. The school notes that three-or-more-child families may receive a 15% third-child discount on tuition and School Development Fund; additional details and any changes are provided by the Accounting Office. Means-tested financial aid is available for a limited number of students, with decisions that may be reviewed term-by-term. Please contact the Admissions Office for details. All payments are required in Korean Won and payment methods are by bank transfer. This information reflects the 2025–2026 structure.	Admissions 1. Admissions Process: Eligibility check and initial planning. All prospective families must first complete an application form, and there are two eligibility paths: Category 1 (at least one parent holds a foreign passport) or Category 2 (has Korean citizenship and has stayed outside Korea for 1095 days). Age eligibility is aligned with grade placement rules, with standard and exceptional admission paths described. Prepare to provide passport copies and, if applicable, ARC or Korean residence documents, and ensure you understand the required age window for the target grade. 2. Complete the Application and Gather Documents. The application form can be obtained by visiting the school, contacting the Admissions Office by mail, fax, or email, or downloading from the site. The completed form must include a student photo and other documents specified by the school, and it should be returned to the Admissions Office by mail, fax, or in person. You may fax to confirm receipt and bring originals to the interview date. An application fee of 300,000 KRW per child is required when applying and should be remitted to the school's bank account with the transfer receipt attached. 3. Pay the Application Fee and Submit for Review. The non‑refundable application fee is 300,000 KRW per child and must be paid at the time of application. The transfer receipt should be attached to the application documents. The fee covers all administrative assessment and processing. After submission, the admissions committee reviews the application based on age, space availability, and prior school records. 4. Admissions Committee Review and Interview/Placement. Following the review, the school may invite the child for an interview and a placement assessment to determine grade placement and any English Language Learner (ELL) needs. Families will be notified of interview dates. Originals of prior school records and a passport copy must be submitted at least one week before the interview to proceed. 5. Decision and Acceptance; Space Availability. The school makes an admission decision after reviewing assessment results and prior records. Families receive an official Acceptance Letter from the School Principal if accepted. In most cases, the family has 15 days to accept the offer, and within one week of acceptance, the application fee and registration fee should be paid in full. 6. Post-Acceptance Steps and Residency Requirement. After acceptance, complete payment of the required fees within the stated timeframe. The school requires students to be in full-time residence with at least one parent or a legal guardian. Financial aid applications are considered only after admissions is complete, and additional steps may apply if pursuing aid. 7. Start of Attendance and Contacts. Once all fees are settled and enrollment is confirmed, families coordinate enrollment and start dates with the Admissions Office. If you have questions, you can contact the school via the published admissions channels.
Scholarships	Scholarships Scholarships/financial aid: The school offers a limited number of yearly financial aid opportunities. Aid is means-tested and may be reviewed on a term-by-term basis, with decisions communicated through the Admissions Office. For assistance and discussions of options, contact the Admissions Office.	Scholarships 3) Scholarships: Financial aid is available for new and existing Korea Foreign School families. Tuition assistance is available beginning in 1st grade. The Financial Aid Application must be completed by the deadline, and the required financial information must be submitted to be considered. The student's admissions application may be a prerequisite for aid processing, and the student application fee is waived for families applying for financial aid.
Waitlist	Waitlist Admissions waitlist/pool for the school: the published admissions pages describe the process and discretionary offers by the Principals and Head of School but do not describe a formal admissions waitlist or pool. Separate waitlists do exist for transportation; bus seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with remaining registrations placed on a waitlist.	Waitlist 2) Waitlist/Pool: There is no published waitlist or pool system described in the school's published admissions information. Admissions decisions are described as dependent on age eligibility and the availability of spaces, and an interview/placement assessment may follow the application review. No formal waiting list policy is stated.
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