Seoul International School

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Location
Seoul International School
Seongnam, Gyeonggi, South Korea
Information
Founder	Edward Adams
Headmaster	Kim Hyung-Shik
Students	Koreans with a minority of Europeans, Africans, North Americans, East Asians, and Indians.
Type	Private
Grades	K-12
Mascot	Lotti
Nickname	Tigers
Color(s)	Orange & Black
Newspaper	Tiger Times/Paw Prints
Established	1973
Homepage	School website

Seoul International School or SIS as it commonly called, is a secular international college preparatory school situated in Seongnam, Korea^[1] offering an American curriculum in an English only setting.

When Seoul International School first commenced operations in 1973, it was the first foreign school, since liberation (1945), to be fully recognized by the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of Education.^[2] SIS has grown and expanded to provide opportunities in education for the growing and changing expatriate community. SIS was first located on the campus of Konkuk University where a new classroom facility was completed in 1976.

The first graduation of the four-year high school program was held in 1978. As SIS grew and expanded a larger facility and campus were needed. In 1981, the present eight acre site was selected, and the unique building of Korean design with 150,000 square feet was completed just over four years later. The move to the wooded campus with its many cultural artifacts was made in May, 1985. Conveniently located in the city of Seongnam and close to the border with Seoul, the school is about twenty-five minutes south of Lotte World, the Jamsil subway station and Olympic Park.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), based in California, accredited Seoul International School for a six-year term in 1979. Subsequent reaccreditations were received in 1985, 1991, 1997 and the spring of 2003.^[3] Students must hold a foreign (non Korean) green card though there is also a very popular ESL program.

The school is located near the Bokjeong Station on Seoul Subway Line 8.^[1]

1 School Philosophy
2 Campus & Facilities
3 Notable alumni
4 References
5 External links

[edit] School Philosophy

As quoted from from school literature: Seoul International School is an academic institution whose purpose is to provide a program to meet the primary and secondary educational needs of students living in Korea. The school is committed to the arts, humanities, and sciences as the best preparation for higher education, for service to humanity, for continuing education, and for life in our rapidly changing world. A U.S. curriculum is provided with adjustments to meet the needs of an international population. Our efforts focus on helping each student to develop intellectual, cultural, moral, physical, and emotional abilities to his/her fullest, in cooperation with parents and the community and within the scope of the school's capabilities. SIS seeks to offer a broad set of challenging and educational experiences, both curricular and co-curricular, in an environment that is safe, orderly, and supportive. All students have the opportunity to develop intellect and creativity, independence and responsibility, a sense of community and cooperation, and an identity that confirms one's own values as well as recognizing and appreciating the value of a multicultural community.

[edit] Campus & Facilities

Seoul International School provides facilities that promote an excellent environment for optimum learning and teaching. Information and communication technology within the school is constantly being upgraded with five computer labs for student use. All classrooms and facilities are fully networked. There are two spacious and well-resourced libraries, with computer access, and several well-equipped science laboratories.

The school auditorium, used for school assemblies, teacher and parent functions, fine arts productions and concerts, is fully equipped with lighting and sound systems. Music students are offered a range of facilities from band and choir rooms to sound proofed practice rooms.

Athletic facilities include two gymnasiums, a tennis court, a five-lane indoor 25-meter heated swimming pool, soccer field, and weights and gymnastics rooms. Available for elementary student use during lunch and recess times are modern outdoor play areas. For the comfort of students and staff, the school buildings are fully air-conditioned in summer. The school cafeteria offers hot meals or lighter sandwiches daily.

The headmaster's dog, better known as Lotti, can often be seen throughout various locations on campus.