Kwangju Foreign School

Kwangju Foreign School is an international school in the city of Gwangju, South Korea. It was opened in response to city officials needing an international school to attract foreign business.

Kwangju Foreign School
Location
106 Samso-ro Oryong-dong, Buk-gu
Gwangju

South Korea
Coordinates35.232976°N 126.847500°E / 35.232976; 126.847500
Information
TypePrivate
MottoCharacter and Knowledge
Established1999
PresidentRobert Holley
PrincipalJillian Iwanuk
Staff7
Faculty15
Number of students60
Color(s)Gray, Blue, White
Athletics conferenceSouth Korea Activities Conference
MascotCougar
Websitewww.kwangjufs.org

School philosophy and curriculum

Students attend international schools because the classes are taught in English, and to gain acceptance into universities in the U.S. The course curriculum is therefore identical to that of U.S high schools, and counseling services in the schools provide the students with direction as to the appropriate activities to be involved in and the preparation necessary for the special entrance exams for nonnative English speakers. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

The school has an ESL program for students with limited English skills. Some of the core subjects are taught as ESL subjects until such a time that the student can make the transition to the regular classes.

Teaching staff and administration

The teaching staff at Korean International private schools are on what are called E-7 visas as opposed to the E-2 visas (visas issued to English teachers at educational institutes (hagwon) or public schools). The issuance of E-7 visas now requires that applicants have 2 years of relevant experience. There are 3 elementary school teachers, 3 middle school teachers, 4 high school teachers, 1 art teacher, 1 Chinese teacher, and 1 music teacher. Chinese is the foreign language currently offered.

Location and facilities

In August 2012, KFS moved to a newly built campus in Oryong-dong, Buk-gu, on the outskirts of the city of Gwangju just north of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology.

Facilities include a gymnasium that includes a half basketball court, music room for orchestra, library to read books, computer lab, multipurpose room, and cafeteria. Outdoor facilities include a full basketball court, playground, and soccer field.

Activities

KFS is one of the founding members of the South Korean Athletic Conference (SKAC), which includes international schools in Busan, Daejeon, Sacheon, Pohang, and Jeonju. KFS student athletes compete with other SKAC schools in volleyball, basketball, soccer, and cross-country at tournaments scheduled throughout the school year.

Teachers are very active in involving the students in cultural extracurricular activities. Organized extracurricular clubs include dance, drama club, and orchestra. The performing arts groups are regular fixtures in the school's concerts, and talent shows. A community outreach club volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and organizes other acts of service. Eleventh and 12th-grade students who demonstrate excellent scholarship, leadership, service, and character may be admitted to the KFS chapter of the National Honor Society.

There are several annual activities in which all students participate. This include:

  • Speech Contest
  • Science Fair
  • International Festival
  • Spelling Bee
  • Fall Festival

College and University Acceptances

Albany College

Arizona State University

Brigham Young University

Bates College

Boston University

Boston College

Bowling Green State University

California College of Art

Colorado State University

Columbus College of Art and Design

Cornell University

DePaul University

Drake University

Drew University

Drexel University

Emmanuel College

Emory and Henry College

Fairleigh Dickinson University

George Washington University

Georgia Southwestern State

Guilford College

Heidelberg College

Hope College

Korea University

LDS Business College

Manhattan School of Music

Madonna University

New York University

Northeastern University

Ohio State University

Otis College of Art and Design

Penn State University

Peking University

Savannah College of Art and Design

Seattle University

Sonoma State University

Southern Virginia University

St. Louis University

State University of Illinois

SUNY

Syracuse University

University of Arizona

University of British Columbia

University of California

University of Cincinnati

University of Colorado

University of Georgia

University of Illinois

University of Kentucky

University of Massachusetts

University of Michigan

University of Minnesota

University of Missouri

University of Pittsburgh

University of San Francisco

University of Texas

University of Utah

University of Victoria

University of Vermont

University of Washington

University of Waterloo

Utah State University

West Virginia University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

References

    See also

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