Compare Reggio Emilia Approach International Schools in South korea

Korea International School Seoul Campus is located in Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, within an urban neighborhood surrounded by parks, wooded areas, hiking trails and river paths. The school is accessible by local subways and city buses, and there is parking available for families who drive.

The Seoul Campus serves Early Years through Elementary, offering programs from Pre-K (age 3) to Grade 5 (age 11). Older students typically transition to the KIS Pangyo campus beyond Grade 5.

KIS Seoul Campus is a co-educational day school.

The school offers a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) that includes individualized Learning Support Plans (LSP) for students who need tailored assistance or extension, as well as an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program and partnerships with outside specialists for services such as educational psychology or speech therapy. A full-time school counselor supports social-emotional learning.

Korea International School in Seoul follows an international education framework and is accredited by U.S.-based and regional bodies; it is not affiliated with a single national system.

The school has no religious affiliation; it operates as a secular international school.

The school day for all students begins at 8:20 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m., with a lunch period and recess scheduled daily. On half-days, dismissal is at 11:30 a.m.. Children have daily snack and recess periods, and lunch times vary by grade.

KIS Seoul Campus offers a school bus service with routes covering many areas within Seoul and surrounding districts. The school coordinates this transportation for daily school access; details and routes are available through the school’s transport office.

The Seoul Campus uses a school uniform. The uniform items for JK–G5 include a House T-shirt, PE shirt, PE pants, hoodies, a beanie, a ball cap, a water bottle, a stainless mug, and other accessories such as a color-block eco bag; uniforms are available through the uniform store linked from the campus site.

The campus cafeteria is operated by Kizmeal, providing nutritionally well-balanced meals with international and halal options.

There is a house system for JK to G5, with a House T-shirt as part of the uniform.

KIS Seoul Campus is part of Korea International School. KIS was established as the manifestation of Y.B. Min's vision. The school is fully accredited by WASC, is a member of EARCOS, and a founding member of the Association of International Schools in Asia.

Korea International School – Seoul Campus offers an English-medium curriculum from Pre-K to Grade 5. In the Early Years (Pre-K and Junior Kindergarten), learning is play-based and influenced by a Reggio-inspired approach, focusing on inquiry, social development, and early literacy and numeracy. From Kindergarten through Grade 5, the school follows a U.S. standards-based curriculum aligned with the Common Core, covering English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students also attend specialist classes in Korean, Chinese, art, music, physical education, library, design, and STEM, which are integrated into the weekly timetable. Assessment is ongoing and classroom-based, with no external examinations at this campus. Students typically transition to another KIS campus for middle and high school education after Grade 5.

KIS Seoul Campus states that social and emotional development is supported through a school-wide counselling programme and classroom-based practices. The campus employs a full-time school counsellor who works with students individually and in small groups. Social-emotional topics are addressed through age-appropriate classroom lessons, teacher guidance, and counsellor-led activities. Teachers collaborate with the counsellor to support student wellbeing as part of daily school life.

KIS Seoul Campus provides support through a Learning Support programme and follows a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). Support is delivered through Learning Support Plans (LSPs), classroom accommodations, and targeted small-group or individual instruction. The school states it can support mild to moderate learning needs, but it is not a specialist SEN school. Services such as speech or occupational therapy may be accessed through external providers, coordinated with the school. Admission depends on whether the school can reasonably meet a student’s needs.

The school provides a dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme for students who require additional language support. EAL instruction is delivered by specialist staff during the school day, either in small groups or through in-class support. The programme focuses on developing academic English needed for classroom learning. Placement and level of support are based on language assessments conducted by the school.

Mental wellbeing support at KIS Seoul Campus is primarily provided by the school counsellor, who supports students with emotional regulation, peer relationships, and school adjustment. Counselling services are available for individual students as needed, and parents may be consulted as part of the support process. Teachers and administrators work with the counsellor to monitor student wellbeing. The school does not publicly disclose details of external mental health partnerships beyond referral coordination.

KIS Seoul Campus has formal child protection and safeguarding policies, as outlined in its Parent and Student Handbook. All staff are required to follow safeguarding procedures and reporting protocols. The school designates specific staff members responsible for child protection matters. Safeguarding expectations are communicated to staff, students, and families as part of school policy documentation.

1. Online application submission
Families begin by completing the online application form through the KIS admissions portal and paying the non-refundable application processing fee. Required documents typically include the child’s passport, academic records (if applicable), and immunization and health forms. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, subject to space availability.

2. Document review and eligibility check
The admissions team reviews submitted documents to confirm age eligibility, grade placement, and whether the school can meet the student’s learning needs. For students transferring from another school, previous school reports are required. The school may request additional documentation if clarification is needed.

3. Assessment and school visit (if required)
Some applicants may be asked to complete an age-appropriate assessment or participate in an informal observation, particularly for elementary grades. This helps the school understand the student’s academic readiness and English language proficiency. Parents may also be invited to visit the campus, either in person or virtually.

4. Admission decision and offer
If an offer is made, families receive a formal admission letter outlining tuition fees, required deposits, and payment deadlines. Acceptance is confirmed once the registration and entrance fees are paid within the stated timeframe. Places are not held without payment.

KIS Seoul Campus does not publicly disclose any scholarship or financial aid programmes.

KIS Seoul Campus operates a waitlist when grade levels are full. Students on the waitlist are considered only for the academic year they applied for. If a place becomes available, families are contacted in order of suitability and space availability; waitlist placement does not guarantee admission.

Songdo, Incheon, South Korea.

PK-12: Early Years (Pre-K to K), Primary (Grade 1-5), Secondary (Grade 6-12).

A co-educational international school with approximately 300 students and a 4.5:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Academics combined with athletics, arts, and STEAM. Emphasis on deep thinking and integration of knowledge through immersive learning experiences and student-centred projects.

4.5:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Contact Primary: +82-32-858-0008, Secondary: +82-32-858-0002. Application and counselling available.