Seoul International School vs Yongsan International School of Seoul

	S Seoul International School Seoul, South Korea	Y Yongsan International School of Seoul Seoul, South Korea
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ₩31,991,809 - 39,374,690	Fees / year ₩29,685,516 - 34,785,516
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 5 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Christian Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 802	Pupils 975
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 13
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1973	Opened 2006
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The school is located at 15, Seongnam-daero 1518 beon-gil, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea 13113. The campus is situated just outside Seoul in Seongnam-si, on the southeastern border of Seoul and about 25 minutes south of Lotte World. It comprises three buildings with facilities including a swimming pool, three gyms, a state-of-the-art auditorium, an atrium, music and band rooms, fully equipped science labs, and modern classrooms.	Location The school is located at 285 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04347, South Korea. It sits in the heart of Seoul's international community, with convenient access to public transport via a nearby subway stop and bus routes. The campus is in the Itaewon/Hannam-dong area, close to landmarks such as Grand Hyatt Seoul and Namsan Tower.
Stages	Stages SIS serves PK3 through 12th grade, including JK and SK, with grade groupings that include PK3, JK, SK, 1–5, 6–8, and 9–12. The school is organized into three divisions: Elementary School, Middle School, and High School.	Stages YISS offers a K-12 program, organized into Elementary School, Middle School, and High School.
School type	School type SIS is a private international school. It functions as a private school and operates a day program (boarding is not listed as part of its offerings).	School type YISS is a private, co-educational day international school with a Christian identity. It is affiliated with the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Elementary School provides after-school tutoring and social-emotional support. Middle School offers after-school tutoring and social-emotional support. High School provides academic and social-emotional support, including tutoring, college counseling, and related services.	Additional learning support The School Learning Support (SLS) program provides specialized assistance for students with learning differences and for English language learners. Services include collaborative instruction, targeted academic support, and small-group instruction.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation There is no country-specific affiliation; SIS operates as a secular private international school in South Korea.	Country affiliation South Korea. YISS is officially recognized by the Republic of Korea, Ministry of Education.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation SIS has no religious affiliation; it is a secular school.	Religious affiliation Christian. YISS is part of the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS).
School day structure	School day structure High School Day: the schedule runs on an A-B rotation with periods from 8:00 to 9:20 (Period 1), 9:20–9:50 (Office Hours), 9:50–11:10 (Period 2), 11:10–11:20 (Break), 11:20–12:40 (Period 3), 12:40–1:40 (Lunch/Activity), 1:40–3:00 (Period 4), and 3:00–5:00 (Sports/Activities). Middle School Day uses an A-B schedule with Period 1 from 8:00–9:20, advisory 9:25–9:50, Period 2 9:55–11:10, Lunch/Recess 11:15–12:10, Period 3 12:20–1:35/1:40, Period 4 1:40–3:00, and Activities 3:00–5:00. Elementary School operates on a rotating A-F schedule with specific lunch and recess time blocks, including PK3–PK4 recess 10:10–10:30 and PK3–2 lunch 10:30–11:00, and other recess/lunch blocks for older grades.	School day structure The school day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Bus service details	Bus service details SIS owns and operates a fleet of 21 full-size buses serving the greater Seoul metropolitan area, with routes reaching southern Seoul and even further to Bundang. The buses are fully insured, equipped with two-way radios, and staffed with bus monitors for safety. Routes and schedules are updated at the start of each school year, and the Transportation Office can provide the latest information on routes and seat availability.	Bus service details Bus transportation is available. The fleet includes about 20 buses servicing a wide region of Seoul; routes are revised annually to reflect changes in student populations. Students spend about 25–30 minutes on the bus on average. For route information, contact transportation@yisseoul.org.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Tuition — School Year 2025/2026 - Tuition is charged in two parts: a Korean Won portion (KRW) and a U.S. Dollar portion (US$). Full-year tuition amounts by grade are: - PK3: KRW 17,530,000 plus US$ 6,720. - JK and SK: KRW 21,000,000 plus US$ 8,040. - Grades 1–5: KRW 21,240,000 plus US$ 8,140. - Grades 6–8: KRW 23,070,000 plus US$ 8,840. - Grades 9–12: KRW 25,840,000 plus US$ 9,900. Application and Enrollment Fees - Application Fee (new applicants): KRW 500,000 — payable upon initial submission, non-refundable. - Initial Registration Fee (newly enrolling students): KRW 4,000,000 — due within 7 days of acceptance, non-refundable. This serves as a deposit to secure a place for the school year. - Re-enrollment Fee (returning students): KRW 3,000,000 — due March 4, 2025; non-refundable in nature but credited toward total tuition for the year. Exceptions may apply only in cases of involuntary family relocation with documentation. Fees Applicable to All Students - Bus Fee (optional): KRW 3,000,000. Bus fees follow the same withdrawal/refund schedule as tuition (see Refund section). - Senior Fee (Grade 12): KRW 300,000 — non-refundable as of the first day of school. - Book Deposit (refundable at year end if no damage or outstanding charges): - Elementary: KRW 150,000. - Middle School: KRW 200,000. - High School: KRW 250,000. - AP Fees: charged where applicable and may vary by subject/test. Payment Plans, Billing Schedule and Payment Terms - The school offers three payment plans. Once a payment plan is selected and the first payment made, the plan is fixed; changes after the first payment incur an Installment Change Fee of KRW 200,000. - Option 1 — Standard Plan (No Installment Fee): - Re-enrollment Fee (returning students) due March 4, 2025: KRW 3,000,000. - Full KRW tuition due May 27, 2025: 100% of the KRW portion listed above. - Full US$ tuition due May 27, 2025: 100% of the US$ portion listed above. - Option 2 — Three Payments Plan (Installment Fee KRW 500,000): - Re-enrollment Fee due March 4, 2025: KRW 3,000,000. - Installment Fee due May 27, 2025: KRW 500,000. - 1st payment (May 27, 2025): 100% of the US$ tuition portion. - 2nd payment (July 26, 2025): 50% of the KRW tuition portion. - 3rd payment (September 24, 2025): 50% of the KRW tuition portion. - Option 3 — Five Payments Plan (Not available for Grade 12; Installment Fee KRW 750,000): - Re-enrollment Fee due March 4, 2025: KRW 3,000,000. - Installment Fee due May 27, 2025: KRW 750,000. - 1st payment (May 27, 2025): 100% of the US$ tuition portion. - 2nd payment (July 26, 2025): 25% of the KRW tuition portion. - 3rd payment (September 24, 2025): 25% of the KRW tuition portion. - 4th payment (November 23, 2025): 25% of the KRW tuition portion. - 5th payment (January 22, 2026): 25% of the KRW tuition portion. - Examples of KRW installment amounts by plan (KRW portion only): - PK3 (KRW 17,530,000): 50% = KRW 8,765,000; 25% = KRW 4,382,500. - JK/SK (KRW 21,000,000): 50% = KRW 10,500,000; 25% = KRW 5,250,000. - Grades 1–5 (KRW 21,240,000): 50% = KRW 10,620,000; 25% = KRW 5,310,000. - Grades 6–8 (KRW 23,070,000): 50% = KRW 11,535,000; 25% = KRW 5,767,500. - Grades 9–12 (KRW 25,840,000): 50% = KRW 12,920,000; 25% = KRW 6,460,000. Late Entry Discounts and Early Withdrawal Refund Schedule - Late entry discount (applies to students admitted mid-year) and early withdrawal refund percentages follow these date bands (applies to tuition and bus fees): - March 4 – August 11, 2025: Early withdrawal refund = 100% (less non-refundable fees); Late entry discount = N/A. - August 12 – October 17, 2025: Early withdrawal refund = 75%; Late entry discount = N/A. - October 18 – December 31, 2025: Early withdrawal refund = 50%; Late entry discount = 20%. - January 1 – March 31, 2026: Early withdrawal refund = 25%; Late entry discount = 45%. - April 1 – June 11, 2026: No refund; Late entry discount = 70%. - The Late Entry Discount and Early Withdrawal Refund schedule applies to all withdrawals and to bus changes during the school year. Refunds and Non-Refundable Fees - Refunds are issued in the currency originally used for payment and are returned by wire transfer to the parent or authorized representative. - Refunds are not provided for withdrawals caused by Force Majeure (examples include war, civil unrest, major natural disasters, declared contagious disease outbreaks, or similar unforeseeable events). In such cases, no portion of tuition already paid will be refunded and unpaid fees remain due. - Non-refundable fees include (but may not be limited to): - Application Processing Fee (KRW 500,000). - Re-enrollment Fee (KRW 3,000,000). - Initial Registration Fee (KRW 4,000,000). - Installment Fee and Installment Change Fee. - Overdue Fees (late fees). - Senior Fee (non-refundable after the first day of school). - No tuition refunds for early graduating seniors. - Bus Fees are not refunded in the event of distance learning caused by Force Majeure. Payment Methods and Instructions - Two separate virtual bank account numbers (가상계좌) are provided per enrolled student: one for US$ payments and one for KRW payments. Invoices include these individualized account numbers. - When making a bank transfer, confirm the beneficiary name matches the student's name on the invoice. - Cash payments are not accepted. A temporary virtual account number will be provided for application fee payments for new applicants. - Refunds are wired back to parents/authorized representatives in the currency used for payment. Payment Delinquency - Overdue amounts incur an overdue fee of 5% per annum on the unpaid tuition total until settled; overdue fees must be paid in the currency specified on the invoice. - Non-payment or prolonged delinquency may result in restrictions such as withholding class attendance, withholding report cards, and refusing re-enrollment for the following semester. Other services (for example bus service) may be suspended until payment is settled. Other Notes on Fees - The Initial Registration Fee may be waived for students who re-enroll within two school years following withdrawal from the school. - Installment fees apply to Options 2 and 3; senior students are not eligible for the five-payment plan (Option 3). - Additional course-specific fees (for example AP exam fees or extracurricular charges) may be billed separately and vary by course or activity. For any accounting or payment queries, contact the school's Accounting and Finance Department at +82(0)31-750-1342 or accounting@siskorea.org.	Fee details Application and Registration Fees - Application Processing Fee: KRW 500,000 (non-refundable). - Registration Fee: KRW 1,000,000 (non-refundable). Capital Development and Technology Fees - Capital Development Fee (new students): KRW 4,500,000 (one-time, non-refundable). - Capital Development Fee (returning or alternative rate shown): KRW 1,000,000. - Technology Fee: Elementary KRW 300,000; Middle/High KRW 600,000 (non-refundable). Tuition — annual and per-term (2025–2026 academic year) Note: Tuition is split into a Korean-won portion and a U.S. dollar portion; both currency portions must be paid in their respective currencies. Quarterly (term) amounts below reflect the KRW portion divided into four equal installments as shown in the fee schedule. - Elementary (Kindergarten–Grade 5): - KRW tuition (annual): KRW 23,650,000. KRW tuition (quarterly): KRW 6,210,000 per term. - USD tuition (annual): USD 4,200. - Middle School & High School (Grades 6–12): - KRW tuition (annual): KRW 28,450,000. KRW tuition (quarterly): KRW 7,470,000 per term. - USD tuition (annual): USD 4,200. - Representative full-year totals (combined KRW + USD converted to KRW as published by a school-fees aggregator) for the 2025/2026 year (useful for quick per-grade comparisons): - Kindergarten 3 / Grade K3 and Grades 1–5: approx. KRW 31,070,406 per year. - Grades 6–12: approx. KRW 36,170,406 per year. Billing schedule and payment terms - Annual/quarterly due dates shown in the published schedule for the 2025–2026 year: registration fee due Feb 21, 2025; 1st quarter tuition due May 10, 2025; 2nd quarter due Oct 10, 2025; 3rd quarter due Dec 10, 2025; 4th quarter due Mar 10, 2026. Both KRW and USD portions follow the published timetable. - Both the KRW and USD portions must be paid in their respective currencies. The school's published instruction shows KRW payments by wire transfer to Industrial Bank of Korea and provides separate account numbers for KRW and USD collections. (KRW account listed: 855-004352-04-184; USD account listed: 855-004352-56-00711; account name: Yongsan International School of Seoul; bank: Industrial Bank of Korea). The business office email for payment correspondence is business.office@yisseoul.org. Cash is not accepted in the business office for KRW tuition payments. For USD payments the published schedule indicates options that include personal US check or US dollar cash in the USD column of the payment instructions. - Late-payment fees: a percentage surcharge is applied based on days overdue — 1–10 business days: 5%; 11–15 business days: 10%; 16–20 business days: 15%; 21–25 business days: 20%; 26+ business days: 25%. Late fees are assessed when the business office has not been contacted in writing requesting an extension. Boarding fees - Yongsan International School of Seoul does not provide boarding facilities. There are no boarding fees. Other fees and additional charges - Transportation (school bus): KRW 3,300,000 per year (optional; listed as an annual fee). - Student Learning Services (SLS) fee (where applicable): KRW 2,500,000. - ELL and SLS services (alternative periodic amount shown): KRW 867,000 (quarterly) where applicable. - Senior fee (Grade 12): KRW 300,000 (non-refundable). - Uniforms and school clothing: a school uniform is required (polo shirts and uniform-style bottoms). Uniform purchases and incidental uniform costs are the responsibility of families; the school community runs used-uniform sales at low prices. Meal plans and incidental costs (books, supplies, extracurricular activity fees) are additional and billed or paid separately when applicable. Non-refundable items - The published fee schedule identifies the following as non-refundable: Application Processing Fee, Registration Fee, Capital Development Fee, Technology Fee, Senior Fee, and amounts paid for quarterly tuition and fees that are listed as non-refundable. Refunds and early withdrawal - Refunds for annually paid tuition (both KRW and USD portions), transportation, ELL fees, and SLS fees follow the published early-withdrawal schedule and require proper written notice submitted at least ten (10) days in advance to the Business Office. The published refund schedule for the 2025–2026 year is: 100% refund prior to August 4, 2025; 75% refund prior to October 17, 2025; 50% refund prior to December 19, 2025; 25% refund prior to March 13, 2026; no refund available after March 13, 2026. If an event such as war, civil strife, labor unrest, or extreme weather necessitates closure and evacuation of staff, no portion of tuition or fees will be refunded. Fee payment options (summary) - KRW tuition: wire transfer to the Industrial Bank of Korea KRW account provided by the school (wire-transfer payment is the published method; cash is not accepted for KRW tuition at the business office). - USD tuition: the published instructions show a USD account and indicate USD payment options (USD account, and USD payment methods such as personal US check or US dollar cash are shown in the USD column of the payment instructions). Both KRW and USD portions must be paid in their respective currencies. Notes about applicability - Several fees (transportation, ELL, SLS, senior fee) apply only if those services are used or if the student's program requires them. The capital development fee is charged on admission as noted above; recurring capital charges differ for new versus returning students in the published schedule.
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 Seoul International School provides three levels: Elementary (PK3–Grade 5), Middle School (Grade 6–8), and High School (Grade 9–12). The Elementary Curriculum is inquiry‑based and designed by the faculty; starting in 2019, the Eureka Math program is used for K–5 in alignment with the Common Core standards. Grade 1 Chinese is part of the Elementary program. Middle School emphasizes a caring environment with teacher‑led electives and advisory classes and integrates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the TIGERS Values. The High School offers a university‑bound program with more than 45 courses and 24 AP courses, including the AP Capstone program; classes run four eighty‑minute periods daily with six of eight periods devoted to core requirements. The Science curriculum follows the Next Generation Science Standards and AP science courses; CPM is used in Mathematics. World Languages include Chinese and Spanish, with AP Chinese and AP Spanish and Chinese I–IV/Spanish I–IV; Graduation requirements include Regular Diploma (25 credits) and Honors Diploma (29 credits), including a 2‑credit World Language requirement.	Curriculum details YISS offers an English-language, American-based K–12 curriculum with dual accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), and recognition by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE). In Elementary School (Kindergarten through 5th grade), core subjects are Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Bible/Character education, with Mandarin and Korean offered as Specials. In Middle School, core classes include Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Bible or Philosophy, with required Arts, Physical Education, Technology, and World Languages, plus Exploratory options in STEM, Art, Music, etc. In High School, students follow a college-preparatory program centered on Advanced Placement (AP) courses; in 2025, 459 AP exams were taken with 87% scoring 3 or higher, the average AP score was 3.9, and the average SAT was 1380. Spiritual and character education are integrated through the NICS program, alongside chapel, service-learning, and biblical instruction as part of the ESLR framework.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results The school offers 24 AP courses including the AP Capstone program. AP Capstone Diploma requirements include completing AP Seminar (Grade 11) and AP Research (Grade 12) and earning a score of 3 or higher on four additional AP exams to receive the diploma.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates are represented in top colleges and universities across North America and worldwide. The school publishes annual highlights and reports that include college acceptances.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented AP Capstone and a broad AP program provide advanced study opportunities for high‑achieving students.	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 Step 1 – Visit Us. The main admissions season runs January through March, and the 2026-27 application opened on January 9, 2026. The best way to determine if SIS is the right fit is to visit the school; schedule a personal tour by contacting the Admissions Office. If you cannot visit, you may proceed to Step 2. Admissions inquiries are welcome Monday through Friday, 7:30 am–4:30 pm.	Admissions Step 1 — Inquire. Start by contacting the Admissions team to learn more about YISS and the programs offered. Campus visits and admissions events are available, with daily tours and Admissions Open House events scheduled periodically. An Open House example is the Admissions Open House for families with children entering Kindergarten and 1st Grade in August 2026, which provides a chance to see the campus and ask questions. Step 2 — Check Eligibility and Gather Required Documents. To be eligible, an applicant must live with a parent or legal guardian; YISS does not host exchange students, offer boarding services, or sponsor student visas. Valid eligibility documents must be updated every year during re-enrollment. Review the eligibility requirements and collect the documents specified for your child's grade level before applying. Step 3 — Online Application. When you are ready, complete the online application. The school provides an online portal to submit the application after confirming eligibility and gathering documents. Step 4 — Admissions Testing and Timeline. After submitting documents, the Admissions team will contact you if any documents are missing. Selected applicants applying for kindergarten or 1st grade may undergo an initial screening, and 2nd–12th graders may be asked to provide recent standardized test results (MAP, ISEE, TerraNova, etc.) or English proficiency assessments if needed. Decisions can be an offer or placement in a wait pool, and the wait pool is not chronological and lasts only for the applying year. Step 5 — Offer, Acceptance, and Enrollment. If an offer is made, you will receive an offer letter via OpenApply and must respond within two business days; tuition arrangements must be made within five business days. The non-refundable Application Processing Fee of ₩500,000 is charged upon acceptance, and applicants required to sit for interviews or tests may be charged this fee even if not accepted. There is a capital development fee as part of the fees, and a comprehensive list of tuition and fees is published for review.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Scholarships: YISS does not offer scholarships at this time. This applies across the student body and is stated in the admissions FAQ.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Wait Pool (not a formal waitlist): When space is not available, qualified applicants are placed in a wait pool and will be considered if spaces become available. The wait pool is not in a fixed order and applies to the applying year only; applicants should update or upload new documents to keep their file current. If a student remains in the wait pool and a mid-year vacancy opens, decisions can be made quickly based on complete and current files. For subsequent years, applicants must reapply.
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