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South Korea, Sacheon
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1. Check Eligibility: GIFS accepts applicants who meet at least one of these categories: expatriate children; a child from a marriage where one parent is Korean and the other is an expatriate; Korean children who were educated overseas for more than three years; or Korean children who are legally adopted by an expatriate family. Meeting one category makes a student eligible to apply. Prospective families should confirm their eligibility before beginning the application process.
2. Initiate Online Application: Start with the GIFS online application through the GIFS business office. An online application is preferred for initial submission. GIFS welcomes new students to join throughout the school year, and the school serves PreKindergarten through 12th Grade.
3. Admission Timeline and Grade Levels: Applications are accepted at any time during the academic year, which typically runs from late August to mid-June. GIFS admits students of all nationalities in PreKindergarten through 12th Grade.
4. Submit Required Documents: The application package includes a Registration Form and a Student Information Form. Non-Korean applicants must provide a copy of a foreign passport or a residency card; Korean students must provide a Certificate of Overseas Travel Record. Official transcripts from the previous school must be submitted. In addition, applicants may be asked to provide an Immunization Record, Medical Information Form, Power of Attorney/Waiver Form, and a Statement of Understanding of Refund Policy.
5. Admission Policy and Language/Entry Requirements: Elementary – PYP and Secondary – MYP require completion of the online application and may include an interview with school staff. Non-native English speakers must take the WIDA exam to determine language-support needs. For the Diploma Programme (Grade 11–12), applicants have an interview with the IB Coordinator; an English-language test is required if English is not the first language, with Cambridge FCE or equivalent as a minimum. Entry to Grade 11 may require evidence of sufficient progress, and, if progress is not adequate, the student may start Grade 11 again the following year; if the DP entry requirements cannot be met, an alternative course may be offered.
No scholarships or financial aid programs are publicly advertised by GIFS in the available admissions materials. The published fees structure focuses on registration, capital, curriculum and development fees, and tuition by grade, with no mention of merit or need-based scholarships.
Gyeongnam International Foreign School (GIFS) is located in Sacheon, South Korea, in a coastal area on the south-central tip of the country. It is an IB World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme. The campus includes an indoor gym with a climbing wall, an outdoor soccer field and playground, a large auditorium room, a dedicated technology lab, a library, music and art studios and a renovated chemistry lab, as well as an early childhood center. For activities beyond classes, GIFS runs after-school clubs from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and has a Student Council for grades 5–12. The school also uses a House System to organize events and build community across students.
