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South Korea, Seoul
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
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.
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.
Scholarships: YISS does not offer scholarships at this time. This applies across the student body and is stated in the admissions FAQ.
Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS) is a K–12 school in Yongsan-gu, on Itaewon-ro and the school describes its campus as being in the heart of Seoul. YISS follows a U.S. educational model and its high school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Families choose between two student programs, which are the NICS Christian program (with Bible class/chapel) or the Oasis program (character education/philosophy and weekly assembly). The school provides student support services, including a Student Learning Support program that includes help for students acquiring English as an additional language. For daily logistics, YISS offers bus transportation and states it operates a fleet of 20 buses, with average rides of 25–30 minutes. In early August, kindergarten families take part in the school’s “Boo Hoo Breakfast” tradition.
