Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS) is a private, K-12 school in the heart of Seoul offering an American curriculum to the international community. We welcome families and students of all religions and worldviews from more than 50 countries, providing a rich multicultural experience anchored in the values of truth, excellence, and diversity.
Within this nurturing environment, a commitment to individual student success is fostered by a team of highly qualified, passionate Christian educators and staff who inspire a love of learning and unleash each student’s potential to achieve. Located in the heart of Seoul, our state-of-the-art campus facilitates learning by creating a safe educational environment promoting exploration.
Studying at YISS is an extraordinary educational experience that empowers students and prepares them to excel in college and beyond, anywhere in the world.
| Number of students |
1000 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
50 |
| Most common nationality |
USA |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
1:7 |
| Native English speaking teachers |
Yes, 87% of the full-time teachers are from North America, and foreign language teachers are native speakers of the languages they teach. |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
English language learners (ELLs) can participate in an instructional program for non-native speakers of English. The program helps students attain a certain level of English proficiency in the areas of speaking, listening, reading, and writing, bringing them to the appropriate academic level. YISS offers the program to a limited number of students each year. Students' English language abilities will be assessed during the admissions process. |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
ES: Korean or Mandarin
|
| Max. number of students per class |
ES: K - 15, 1st-5th - 22
|
| Average number of students per class |
ES: K - 14, 1st-5th - 20
|
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes, in kindergarten and 1st grade. |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
Our elementary classrooms have a 1:1 laptop program for students to use during school. To support student needs for consistent technology access, students in elementary are assigned a laptop for classroom use, while students in middle and high school are assigned one for classroom and home use. |
| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes, we have a virtual learning plan for instruction when on-campus learning is restricted. |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
YISS a part of the Network of International Christian Schools. While YISS recruits Christian educators, our student body is comprised of students from many varying faith backgrounds and more than 50 countries. |
| How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
YISS offers two programs for students. Students in the NICS program attend Bible class and weekly chapel, while students in the Oasis program attend character education and/or philosophy class and weekly assembly. Our Oasis program is reserved for students who are actively practicing a faith other than Christianity. Within the application you will have the opportunity to select which program you prefer for your child. |
| External examinations or assessments available |
YISS administers the following standardized tests:
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| Results in these examinations |
The class of 2021 had an average composite SAT score of 1407 and an average composite ACT score of 33. Ninety percent of YISS students who took AP tests in 2021 passed with a 3 or higher. |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
The purpose of homework is to reinforce concepts that have been taught in class through practice, review, and remediation. Teachers will ensure that the homework given is at the appropriate level of difficulty and length. |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
It is impossible to set exact time limits on homework due to varying student ability, understanding, and/or time management skills. If students are regularly spending more than the suggested time limits, they should communicate with their teachers.
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| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
99% |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes |
| Learning support offered |
Learning support services are offered to meet the diverse learning needs of our student population, specifically those students who require additional services in order to be successful in the mainstream classroom. This includes specialized class instruction from our learning support teachers in the areas of mathematics and reading. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
YISS is a college preparatory school with a rigorous curriculum. There is an accelerated math track in middle school, and YISS offers 27 Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes |
| Entry evaluation for students |
YISS does not perform evaluations, but evaluations need to be provided with applications. |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Applicants for kindergarten-3rd grade should provide standardized test scores, if available, at the time of application. Otherwise, the applicant may need to complete onsite testing at YISS. If testing results are not provided but are required, YISS Admissions will contact you after your application has been completed. Applicants for 4th-12th grade are required to provide a copy of recent standardized test results to complete an admissions application. The following are test results currently accepted: Stanford (SAT), MAP, TerraNova, IGCSE, ERB, ISEE, OLSAT, SSAT, PSAT, SAT, ITBS, STAR, US State Standardized Tests. |
| Waiting list |
Qualified applicants who are not accepted due to space availability are placed in our wait pool and will be considered if spaces become available. YISS strives to maintain a balance in gender and diversity and to ensure academic success and availability of needed programs or classes. |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes, if there is space. |
| School start time |
7:50 a.m. |
| School finish time |
ES: 3:00 p.m.
|
| Supervised care before/after school |
Students can be dropped off between 7:25-7:50 a.m. For elementary and middle school students, there are optional after school activities until approximately 4:30 p.m. provided with an extra fee. |
| School bus service available |
Yes |
| School provided lunches |
Two lunch set options are prepared on-site every day at a competitive price. |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Vegetarian, halal, boneless, and less spicy options are available daily. |
| Uniform required |
The YISS uniform consists of polo shirts with uniform-style skirts (ES), shorts, or pants. |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
ES: Over 20 after school activities ranging from art, to music, and sports are offered each trimester to appeal to a variety of student interests. These activities give our elementary students the opportunity to learn something new or sharpen skills while developing new friendships and having fun.
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| Sports activities included |
Physical education is taught in kindergarten-8th grade and 10th grade, and sports classes are available as optional electives. |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
ES: basketball, soccer, swimming
|
| Facilities at the school |
Our academic facilities consist of over 60 classrooms, including purpose-built spaces for library, theatre, science, filming, audio recording, 3D printing, etc. All classrooms have access to the high-speed wireless network and are equipped with projectors and audio equipment to facilitate lessons. The cornerstone of our arts facilities is our 500-seat auditorium with computerized lighting and surround sound. We also have an intimate black box theater, four specialized visual arts studios, and classrooms and rehearsal spaces for our elementary music classes and secondary choirs, bands, and orchestras. We have two libraries (media centers) for elementary students and another for our secondary students. |
| Sports facilities at the school |
Our recently-renovated 350-seat gymnasium accommodates a full basketball or volleyball court and is equipped with six retractable basketball rims. The auxiliary gymnasium has six height-adjustable basketball rims for younger students. Our well-equipped weight room includes resistance machines, free weights, treadmills, rowing machines, and other equipment. We also have a multi-purpose room used for dance, exercise, and more. Our outdoor athletics facilities are uniquely situated on the roof of our athletic building with a view overlooking the city. The regulation-size synthetic turf soccer field includes two standard goals and six practice goals. There is a 100-meter all-weather track beside the field, as well as a rubberized track surrounding the entire field. We also have a hard court tennis court adjacent to the track and field. Our aquatics facilities include an indoor, six-lane, 25-meter, heated swimming pool with custom, top-of-the-line starting blocks, all surrounded by a spacious deck. The pool utilizes a fully automatic touchpad and scoreboard system. There is a viewing balcony overlooking the length of the pool. The facilities also include large boys and girls locker rooms with ample showers and suit dryers. |
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
Yongsan International School of Seoul is a community of students, parents, and Christian educators working together to instill in each student a passion for truth, a commitment to excellence, and an appreciation for diversity. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
The instructional program at YISS consists of a curriculum based primarily on standards from the U.S. educational system. Courses are designed and taught to challenge students academically and help them to think critically and creatively while being taught from a foundational biblical worldview. |
Our academic facilities consist of over 60 classrooms, including specialized spaces for theatre, video recording, audio recording, 3D printing, etc. All classrooms have access to the high-speed wireless network and are equipped with projectors and audio equipment to facilitate lessons.
The cornerstone of our arts facilities is our 500-seat auditorium with computerized lighting and surround sound. We also have an intimate black box theater, four specialized visual arts studios, and classrooms and rehearsal spaces for our elementary music classes and secondary choirs, bands, and orchestras.
Our aquatics facilities include an indoor, six-lane, 25-meter, heated swimming pool with custom, top-of-the-line starting blocks, all surrounded by a spacious deck. The pool utilizes a fully automatic touchpad and scoreboard system. There is a viewing balcony overlooking the length of the pool. The facilities also include large boys and girls locker rooms with ample showers and suit dryers.
Our recently-renovated 350-seat gymnasium accommodates a full basketball or volleyball court and is equipped with six retractable basketball rims. The auxiliary gymnasium has six height-adjustable basketball rims for younger students. Our well-equipped weight room includes resistance machines, free weights, treadmills, rowing machines, and other equipment. We also have a multi-purpose room used for dance, Zumba, and more.
Our outdoor athletics facilities are uniquely situated on the roof of our athletic building with a view overlooking the city. The regulation-size synthetic turf soccer field includes two standard goals and six practice goals. There is a 100-meter all-weather track beside the field, as well as a rubberized track surrounding the entire field. We also have a hard court tennis court adjacent to the track and field.
We are excited about your interest in Yongsan International School of Seoul. Please contact us, and we will be happy to assist you in making an informed decision about the best international school for your child. We look forward to connecting with you.
