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International Christian School Uijeongbu

South Korea, Seoul

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ₩22,644,698 - 25,396,983
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 80
Type Co-educational
Opened 1983
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Christian Curriculum
Taught languages English
Typical class size 8
Strengths Sport, Academic Enrichment, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

International Christian School Uijeongbu (ICSU) is an English-language international school located in Uijeongbu, north of Seoul, South Korea. It serves the international community since 1983. The school is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), and is recognized by the Korean Ministry of Education as a foreign school. ICSU offers a US-based curriculum for Elementary, Middle and High School learners, with opportunities for students to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses approved by the US College Board in the upper grades. Its academic framework is built on US Common Core and other internationally recognized standards, and includes English Language Development support. The school emphasizes teacher-student mentorship grounded in Christian values. ICSU also provides counseling services, standardized testing, college placement support and activities ranging from arts to athletics and character development.

28 Jindeung-ro, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

The Essentials

International Christian School Uijeongbu has 80 pupils, typical class sizes of 8, instruction in English.

Location

ICSU is located in Uijeongbu, a city in Gyeonggi Province just north of Seoul. The campus address is Jindeung-ro 28, Uijeongbu 11608. It serves families in Uijeongbu and the northern part of Gyeonggi Province and is accessible by local public transport. Google Maps or Naver Maps are recommended for directions.

Stages

ICSU serves students in elementary through secondary education, specifically 4th through 12th grade. The school is organized into Elementary, Middle School, and High School divisions.

Type

ICSU is a co-educational, day school. Boarding is not offered.

Additional learning support

ICSU provides English Language Development (ELD) for English learners and has Special Needs Services. ELD uses a structured program with ELL teachers, and counselors support academic, social-emotional, and spiritual development.

Country affiliation

ICSU is affiliated with the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS) and follows an American curriculum.

Religious affiliation

ICSU is a Christian international school; biblical worldview is integrated into academics and spiritual formation is part of student life.

School day structure

School hours are 7:40 AM to 3:50 PM during the school year; summer hours are 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Bus service

ICSU offers a school bus service. Public details about routes and providers are not published on the school site; contact ICSU for current arrangements.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements

The school does not offer boarding services.

Uniform Requirement

The school requires uniforms. Students purchase school uniforms after enrollment.

Food Options

Lunches are provided daily and prepared by Myeongin Foods, a professional food service company with a certified nutritionist.

Governance and Ownership

Operations and policies are implemented at the local school level by the Director who is overseen by and accountable to the NICS Board of Directors and designated NICS officials. ICSU is part of the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS) and is recognized by the Korean Ministry of Education as a foreign school. It is fully accredited by ACSI and WASC.
Fees

Annual tuition at International Christian School Uijeongbu ranges from KRW 22,644,698 to KRW 25,396,983 for 2026/27.

Application and Registration Fees

- Enrollment / Re-Enrollment Fee (non-refundable and not subject to discounts): USD 1,500 per student.
- Capital Development Fee: USD 1,500 per student. For returning students, the Capital Development Fee is waived if Re-Enrollment and Technology Fees are paid by March 15.
- Technology Fee: USD 650 per student.
- Application Processing Fee (one-time): KRW 300,000.

Annual Tuition by Year Group (currency shown as published)

- Elementary (K–5): USD 4,250 per year; KRW 13,895,000 per year.
- Middle School (6–8): USD 4,850 per year; KRW 15,827,000 per year.
- High School (9–12): USD 4,850 per year; KRW 15,827,000 per year.

Per-term amounts (calculated from the published annual tuition)

- Per semester (annual divided by 2):
- Elementary: USD 2,125; KRW 6,947,500.
- Middle: USD 2,425; KRW 7,913,500.
- High School: USD 2,425; KRW 7,913,500.

- Per quarter (annual divided by 4):
- Elementary: USD 1,062.50; KRW 3,473,750.
- Middle: USD 1,212.50; KRW 3,956,750.
- High School: USD 1,212.50; KRW 3,956,750.

(Note: the per-term figures above are calculated from the published annual tuition amounts and shown for convenience.)

Additional and Optional Fees

- Student Activity Fee (annual): Elementary KRW 300,000; Middle & High KRW 400,000.
- High School Graduation Fee (Grade 12 only): KRW 200,000.
- Transportation Fee (optional, annual): within Uijeongbu KRW 2,800,000; outside Uijeongbu KRW 3,100,000.
- Lunch Fee (optional, annual): Elementary KRW 1,500,000; Middle KRW 1,600,000; High KRW 1,700,000.
- English Language Development (ELD) Fee (optional, annual): KRW 1,000,000 per student.
- Sports Fee: Middle & High KRW 400,000 (applies to volleyball, basketball, soccer, and others).
- High School online course fees (NorthStar): Half-semester / Full-year — Standard class USD 715 / USD 1,070; AP class USD 755 / USD 1,110. AP test fees per class USD 190 (in person and online).

Boarding

- There is no boarding program listed; boarding fees are not applicable.

Billing Schedule and Payment Terms

- Both USD and KRW payments are required for tuition. Annual amounts are published in both currencies.
- Preferred payment options and due dates:
- Annual payment: due August 1.
- Semester payments: due August 1 and January 1.
- Semester, quarterly, and monthly payment options are available. A 1% maintenance fee is included for quarterly payment plans and a 2% maintenance fee is included for monthly payment plans. These maintenance fees are applied to the payment plan alternatives.

Late Payment and Penalties

- A 2% late fee is charged on all past-due fees. If a payment passes the current billing month in which it is due, an additional 3% of the total amount past due will be charged each month thereafter.

Refunds and Early Withdrawal

- Early withdrawal requires 14 days prior notice; the official withdrawal date is 14 days from notification. For the month of withdrawal there is no refund of tuition, transportation, lunch, or ELD. For months following the month of withdrawal, 100% refund of tuition, transportation, lunch, and ELD will be issued. All other fees are non-refundable.
- Registration and other listed fees described as non-refundable remain non-refundable.

Payment Methods and Instructions

- Cash (USD): USD cash may be brought to the ICSU Business Office for registration payments.
- Bank transfer (USD): Swift Code SHBKKRSE; Bank Name: Shin-han Bank; City/Country: Uijeongbu, Korea; Customer Name: International Christian School, Uijeongbu; Address: 176-22 Uijeongbu-dong, Uijeongbu, Korea 480-012. Account numbers for registration fee transfers vary by date of transfer: before July 1 — 180-004-721396; after July 1 — 180-002-706246.

Other cost notes

- The published registration items (Enrollment/Re-Enrollment Fee, Capital Development Fee, Technology Fee) are declared as non-refundable and not subject to discounts.
- Tuition assistance is available through a Tuition Assistance Program and is provided on the basis of financial need. Questions regarding financial assistance are handled by the school business manager.
Academics

International Christian School Uijeongbu teaches American Curriculum, Christian Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum

ICSU's instructional program is built on US Common Core Standards plus other US and international standards, with a biblical worldview integrated across academics. The school serves grades 4–12, with Elementary School for grades 4–5, followed by Middle School and High School. Advanced Placement courses are offered on-site, and NorthStar Academy provides additional AP options online. Graduation requires 25 credits for a Standard Diploma or 27 credits for an Honors Diploma (beginning with the Class of 2024), including English 4, Social Studies 3, Science 3, Mathematics 3 (4 for Honors), Foreign Language 2, Technology 1, Fine Arts 1–2, Bible 0.5 credit per semester, and College & Career Education 0.5 credit; AP credits count toward the diploma requirements. English Language Development follows the WIDA framework, and ICSU offers college and career counseling via the Cialfo platform. ICSU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), recognized by the Korean Ministry of Education as a foreign school, and is a member of the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS); its Expected School-Wide Learning Results define six outcomes: Investigative Learners, Perceptive Learners, Effective Communicators, Quality Producers, Cooperative Contributors, and Involved Citizens.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

ICSU embeds social and emotional learning (SEL) through its Expected School-Wide Learning Results (ESLRS), which define six student profiles: Investigative Learners, Perceptive Learners, Effective Communicators, Quality Producers, Cooperative Contributors, and Involved Citizens. These ESLRS include development of personal and social relationships, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and responsible citizenship. The Grade 4-12 counselor acts as an advocate and guide to support students' academic, career, social-emotional, and spiritual development throughout their time at ICSU. Relationships and mentorship are emphasized across the faculty, with teachers aiming to foster character, confidence, and a biblically grounded sense of identity. Parent involvement and the Discipleship & Mentorship framework reinforce emotional and behavioral growth through regular communication and supportive school-community relationships.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Special Needs Services are listed as a component of ICSU's academics, with a dedicated area indicated for Special Needs Services. The available public information does not specify which types of Special Educational Needs (SEN) the school can support, nor whether ICSU operates as a specialist SEN institution. The school's public materials confirm the existence of SEN-related services, but do not disclose detailed SEN categorizations or capabilities.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

ICSU provides English Language Development (ELD) for language learners, based on the internationally recognized WIDA framework. ELD teachers use an individualized approach to guide students in acquiring English language skills necessary for academic success at ICSU. The program emphasizes inclusive language support so students can participate meaningfully in classroom learning.

Mental Wellbeing

The ICSU counselor serves as an advocate and guide for Grade 4-12 students, supporting their academic, career, social-emotional, and spiritual development. The ESLRS include social-emotional competencies under the categories of Cooperative Contributors and Involved Citizens, reflecting a focus on personal and social skills. Teachers are trained to mentor students to develop character, confidence, and healthy spiritual lives, reinforcing emotional well-being. Parent involvement emphasizes emotional and behavioral support through ongoing, open communication. Together, these elements support students' mental well-being within ICSU's holistic framework.

Safeguarding

ICSU treats safeguarding as a priority; safeguarding and child protection are formal components of the school's operations. The policy states that safeguarding is the responsibility of every adult in the building and that staff are trained to act with integrity and professionalism in their interactions with children. ICSU is intentional about maintaining a safe, positive, and nurturing environment for children, upholding high safeguarding standards.
Parent Experience

History

International Christian School Uijeongbu was founded in 1983 by Reverend Dr. Joe Hale as Liberty Christian School to serve missionary families in Uijeongbu. In 1988 a branch was started in Dongducheon to serve Seoul-area students, and two years later an elementary program opened in the Namsan area of Seoul with an additional branch in Songtan. ICSU became the first school in the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS), with sister schools in Seoul (YISS) and Songtan (ICSP). It pursued accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges starting in 1988 and received a full six-year accreditation after a 1991 visit, subsequently achieving dual WASC-ACSI accreditation through multiple self-studies through 2022-23. As military bases closed in the region, ICSU broadened its mission to serve Korean, Chinese, and international families and positioned itself as an integral part of Uijeongbu and surrounding areas.

Community

ICSU serves the children and families of the Uijeongbu and the northern Gyeonggi province community and has done so since 1983. A vibrant spiritual community is fostered on campus through services, campus activities, and athletics that guide students to pursue Jesus in all aspects of life. Campus life includes arts, music and theatre, athletics, technology, spiritual formation, and a club program. The school emphasizes academic growth alongside character development, aiming to prepare students for future success.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

ICSU does not currently have a formal parent-teacher organization. Parent involvement is encouraged through regular communication between teachers and families via emails, calls, and newsletters, and a weekly update from the director. Parents are invited to a monthly Head of School Coffee Meeting with the Head of School and other administrators to discuss timely topics. A range of parent resources is available through the Community section, including a Parent Student Handbook and related communications. The school notes that it is actively taking steps to move toward establishing a formal PTA structure in the future.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

ICSU Uijeongbu serves grades 4-12 with small class sizes and a focus on academic, spiritual, social, emotional, and physical development. The school supports technology-enabled learning with a 1:1 device program: Chromebooks for grades 4-12 and iPads for K-3, backed by a campus-wide wireless network and access to digital learning resources. The arts program includes visual arts and music (vocal and instrumental), with theatre in the early stages of development. ICSU's athletics program spans fall volleyball and cross-country, winter basketball and cheer, and spring soccer. A clubs program provides opportunities for student involvement beyond the classroom.

Academic Facilities

ICSU provides technology resources to support learning, including a 1:1 Chromebook program for grades 4-12 and iPads for kindergarten through grade 3, backed by a reliable wireless network and access to digital learning resources.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Creative facilities include Visual Arts and Music spaces, with theatre in the early planning stages. The school offers an Athletics program with volleyball, cross-country, basketball, cheer, and soccer. There is also a Club Program that enables student clubs and activities beyond the core curriculum.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

ICSU runs a Club Program that includes academic enrichment opportunities and leadership development beyond the classroom. The program encompasses student government, arts clubs, honor societies, and community service initiatives, among others. Many clubs are student-led, providing opportunities for students to organize activities and lead peers. These clubs supplement academics and help students apply learning in real-world contexts.

Arts & Creative

ICSU offers Visual Arts, Music, and Theatre as part of its arts programming. The arts offerings focus on both visual and performing arts through a cohesive arts curriculum. The school's Arts section and dedicated Visual Arts, Music, and Theater pages indicate a structured pathway for creative expression. Students are encouraged to participate in arts-related clubs and performances.

Social & Hobbies

ICSU's Club Program provides social and hobby-oriented activities beyond class time. Student government and arts clubs are among the offerings, with many clubs led by students themselves. These clubs promote involvement in the school community and help students develop teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. Participation in clubs is encouraged as part of a well-rounded student life.

Community & Service

Community service is a core component of ICSU's character development. The school emphasizes service to local and global communities, aligning with its mission and values. For Honors Diploma students, a minimum of 30 hours of community service is required each year. Clubs actively include community service initiatives to foster stewardship and practical service.

Leadership & Professional

Leadership opportunities are embedded in the Club Program, including student government and other student-led clubs. Many clubs are led by students, providing mentoring and opportunities to develop organizational and leadership skills. Participation helps students practice project planning, collaboration, and professional communication outside the classroom.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

ICSU's athletics program offers a variety of team sports and extracurricular sports opportunities. These activities promote physical health, teamwork, and personal growth. The school also supports wellbeing through Spiritual Formation, including weekly Chapel services and Spiritual Emphasis Week. Overall, extracurricular life integrates physical activity with spiritual and personal development.
Languages

Language Provision

The language provision includes English as the language of instruction. English Language Development serves non-native English learners using the WIDA framework. Foreign language offerings in high school include French, Spanish, Latin, Chinese, and ELD, with a four-year, two-credit foreign-language requirement. ELD is listed alongside foreign languages as a supported program for students developing English proficiency.

Bilingual Teaching

ICSU Uijeongbu is a 4th–12th grade school. All grades and courses are taught in English. English Language Development (ELD) supports students who require language learning, using the WIDA framework. There is no formal bilingual teaching program listed for ICSU Uijeongbu.

Immersion Programs

There is no immersion language program described for ICSU Uijeongbu. Instruction is conducted in English, with English Language Development (ELD) support for non-native speakers. Foreign languages are offered as separate courses (e.g., French, Spanish, Latin, and Chinese) rather than immersion tracks.
Reputation

Accreditations

- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) – ICSU is fully accredited by WASC. WASC is a regional accrediting body that verifies school quality and helps with transfer credits and credential recognition.
- Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) – ICSU is fully accredited by ACSI. ACSI accreditation reflects alignment with Christian mission and ongoing educational standards for Christian schools.
- Korean Ministry of Education recognition as a foreign school – ICSU is recognized by the Korean MOE as a foreign school, which supports regulatory compliance and international credential recognition in Korea.
Admissions

Admissions

1. Initiate contact and understand the admissions approach. ICSU uses a rolling admission process based on space available, and applications for the 2025-2026 school year are currently being accepted. The school does not sponsor student visas and does not host exchange students. Eligibility documents must be updated each year during re-enrollment.
2. Determine eligibility category and required documents. There are three categories: Non-Korean; Korean Ethnic; and Korean Citizens. Each category requires specific documents, such as Alien Registration Card, Diplomatic ID, SOFA, and a domestic residence card for Non-Korean applicants; Korean Ethnic applicants need a Korean Family Registry; Korean Citizens require a Certificate of Entry and Exit and a Korean Family Registry.
3. Review acceptance criteria. ICSU admits students based on grades from current and previous report cards, high-quality behavioral and academic references, fulfillment of citizenship eligibility as applicable, MAP testing for Grades 2-12, and a screening of English proficiency for all PreK-12 applicants. The MAP test helps determine placement and readiness for ICSU's program, and English proficiency screening assesses fit for the curriculum.
4. Introduction to ICSU and planning a visit. Schedule your personal campus tour with Admissions and meet with the administration as part of the process. Consider scheduling a Shadow Day for Grades 6–12 (recommended; not available during summer).
5. Admissions procedure. An application (one per student) must be submitted for all students who desire to attend ICSU. Supporting documents include the Student Packet, transcript/grades from the previous three years, immunization records, birth certificate, copies of passports, Certificate of Entry and Exit (Korean students), Alien/Residence Card for foreigners, standardized test results, and payment of the Application Processing Fee. Intake MAP testing, meetings with the Principal and the Business Manager, and English Language Development testing (if applicable) are part of the process. Acceptance is communicated when approved, with the enrollment decision typically completed within a week; conditions or probationary status may be required.
6. Required ICSU forms. An application packet must be submitted, and IO forms or hand-delivery of documents is possible. The Enrollment Agreement Contract and designation of a payment option are required at enrollment, and the enrollment is considered complete when all steps and paperwork are finalized.
7. After enrollment. Once enrolled, families purchase school uniforms, create a class schedule (secondary students), receive locker assignments, set up the Eagle account and Bible, and provide transportation information if applicable.
8. Financial confirmation and planning. The school provides guidance on enrollment timing and payment arrangements as part of the enrollment steps, ensuring families understand when and how to pay.
9. Fees overview. For planning, note the 2025-2026 fee structure includes Enrollment/Re-Enrollment fees, Capital Development Fee, Technology Fee, annual tuition by grade (USD and KRW), and various additional and optional fees.

Scholarships

ICSU offers a Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to help families with financial need. The school does not have an endowment and works with families within its financial framework to provide aid where possible. To apply for tuition assistance, contact the school's business manager to obtain the necessary application forms.

Waitlist

ICSU uses a rolling admission process based on space availability, and applications for the 2025-2026 year are currently being accepted. The school does not publish a separate waitlist or pool system; admissions proceed as space allows. If space is not immediately available, the rolling process continues until a slot opens.
School Events
The school has not added events