How to choose the right school and the right neighborhood for your family in Seoul
If you are moving to Seoul with children, choosing a school is often one of the first and most important decisions you will make.
Seoul is home to a wide range of international and foreign schools offering American, British, IB, French, German, Chinese, Japanese and other educational pathways.
For expatriate families, however, choosing a school is only part of the decision. Where you live can be just as important. Your daily commute, school transportation, access to international grocery stores, nearby parks and the type of home available in the neighborhood all shape your family’s experience in Seoul.
In this guide, we introduce the major international schools in Seoul, explain the different educational options, and highlight the neighborhoods families often consider when choosing where to live.
International Schools vs. Korean Schools
International schools in Korea are officially classified as “foreign schools” and are different from ordinary Korean schools.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, students are generally eligible to attend a foreign school if they meet one of the following conditions:
- At least one parent is a foreign national
- The student is a Korean citizen who has lived overseas for more than three years
- The student has completed at least six semesters at schools located overseas
Each school sets its own admissions process on top of this, which may include documentation, testing and interviews.
For families relocating to Seoul, eligibility can depend on the child’s nationality, the parents’ nationality, previous education and time spent studying overseas. Always confirm eligibility directly with the school before making plans.
Major International Schools in Seoul
Below are ten international schools that are particularly relevant to expatriate and internationally mobile families.
1. Seoul Foreign School (SFS)
- Location: 39 Yeonhui-ro 22-gil Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
- Grades: Pre-K to Grade 12
- Language: English
- Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB) and English National Curriculum (British School)
- https://www.seoulforeign.org
Founded in 1912, Seoul Foreign School is one of the longest-established foreign schools in Korea and has been part of Seoul’s expatriate community for more than 100 years.
SFS offers two pathways: an international program within the IB framework, and a British School following the English National Curriculum.
Nearby areas to consider: Yeonhui-dong · Yeonnam-dong · Seodaemun · Hongdae · Mapo · Hannam and Yongsan, depending on commute preferences
For families who want a quieter residential environment while staying close to central Seoul, the northwestern part of the city can be particularly convenient.
2. Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS)
- Location: 285 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
- Grades: Kindergarten to Grade 12
- Language: English
- Curriculum: U.S.-style, with Advanced Placement (AP) courses
- https://www.yisseoul.org/
YISS follows a U.S.-style educational model and offers an enriched college-preparatory program at the high school level, including a range of AP courses. The school is accredited by WASC and ACSI and recognized by the Korean Ministry of Education.
YISS also offers an English Language Learner (ELL) program for a limited number of students each year, with English proficiency assessed during admissions.
Nearby areas to consider: Hannam-dong · Itaewon · UN Village · Ichon · Yongsan · Seobinggo
This is one of the most convenient school locations for families looking for high-end residential properties in central Seoul. Hannam-dong and UN Village offer luxury apartments, villas and private houses, while Itaewon provides easy access to international restaurants, shops and services.
3. Dulwich College Seoul
- Location: 6 Sinbanpo-ro 15-gil, Seocho-gu
- Ages: 2 to 18
- Language: English
- Curriculum: British-based, with IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme
- https://www.dulwich-seoul.kr
Dulwich College Seoul follows an international British-oriented educational model, leading to IGCSE and the IB Diploma in the final years.
Its location is attractive for families who want access to the Gangnam area while keeping convenient connections to central Seoul.
Nearby areas to consider: Banpo · Seocho · Jamwon · Apgujeong · Sinsa · Gangnam
For families working in Gangnam or southern Seoul, living closer to the school can significantly reduce daily travel time.
4. Dwight School Seoul
- Location: 21 World Cup Buk-ro 62-gil, Mapo-Gu, Seoul
- Grades: Preschool to Grade 12
- Language: English
- Curriculum: Full IB continuum
- http://www.dwight.or.kr/
Dwight School Seoul offers the full IB continuum:
- Early Childhood Division (ages 3–6)
- IB Primary Years Programme (PYP): Grades 1–5
- IB Middle Years Programme (MYP): Grades 6–10
- IB Diploma Programme (DP): Grades 11–12
This makes Dwight particularly relevant for families who want their children to stay within a continuous IB pathway from the early years through high school.
Nearby areas to consider: Sangam-dong · Yeonnam-dong · Mapo · Seongsan-dong · Hongdae · Yeonhui-dong
5. Korea International School (KIS) – Seoul Campus
- Location: 408 Gaepo-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- Grades: Kindergarten to Grade 5
- Language: English
- http://www.kisseoul.org/
An important point for families: the Seoul campus serves Kindergarten to Grade 5 only. Older students attend the KIS campus in Pangyo, which serves Kindergarten to Grade 12.
KIS admissions include documentation, an interview and testing. For Grades 3–12, the school accepts a range of standardized tests (such as MAP, ISEE and SAT) and offers on-site assessment for applicants in Korea who do not have qualifying scores.
Nearby areas to consider: Gaepo-dong · Dogok-dong · Daechi-dong · Yangjae · Seocho · Samseong
This can be an attractive option for families whose work and lifestyle are centered around Gangnam.
6. Asia Pacific International School (APIS)
- Location: 57 Wolgye-ro 45ga-gil, Nowon-gu, Seoul
- Grades: Kindergarten to Grade 12
- Language: English.
- https://www.apis.org/
Because the school is in northern Seoul, the most suitable residential area may be different from those typically chosen by families attending schools in Yongsan or Gangnam.
7. Korea Kent Foreign School
- Location: 13 Jayang-ro 35-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
- Grades: Kindergarten to Grade 12
- Language: English
- https://www.kkfs.org/
Korea Kent Foreign School is located in eastern Seoul. Its admissions process requires previous school transcripts, teacher recommendation letters, standardized test results where available, and an admissions test and interview.
Nearby areas to consider: Gwangjin-gu · Seongdong-gu · Jamsil · Ttukseom · Seongsu
8. German School Seoul International (DSSI)
- Location: 123-6 Dokseodang-ro, Hannam-dong, Yongsan, Seoul
- Grades: Kindergarten to Grade 12
- Language: German, with English
- Curriculum: German, leading to the German International Abitur
- https://www.dsseoul.org/
German School Seoul International is a German- and English-speaking international school, with support programs for students who are not native German speakers.
Nearby areas to consider: Hannam-dong · UN Village · Itaewon · Ichon · Seobinggo
For German-speaking families, living near a German-language school can be an important factor when choosing a home.
9. French School of Seoul (Lycée Français de Séoul)
- Location: 7 Seorae-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul
- Grades: Kindergarten to High School
- Language: French
- http://www.lfseoul.org/
The French School of Seoul is located in Seorae Village, Seoul’s best-known French neighborhood. For French-speaking families, this creates an unusually strong connection between school and neighborhood. The school notes that students must be proficient in French.
Nearby areas to consider: Seorae Village · Banpo · Seocho · Jamwon
Seorae Village is known for its French community, restaurants, bakeries and international atmosphere.
10. Global Christian Foreign School (GCFS)
- Location: 4-22 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (near UN Village)
- Grades: Kindergarten to Grade 12
- Language: English
- Curriculum: American-style, in a Christian environment
- https://gcfskorea.org/
GCFS is located in Hannam-dong near UN Village, which makes it relevant for families looking for housing in central Seoul.
Nearby areas to consider: Hannam-dong · Itaewon · UN Village · Yongsan · Ichon
International Schools by Neighborhood
For families choosing where to live, it can be more useful to look at schools geographically.
• Yongsan / Hannam / Itaewon
Schools: Yongsan International School of Seoul · Global Christian Foreign School · German School Seoul International
This area is especially popular with expatriate families for its international community, central location, restaurants, international services, and larger apartments, villas and private houses.
Popular residential areas: Hannam-dong · UN Village · Itaewon · Ichon · Seobinggo
• Seocho / Banpo / Seorae Village
Schools: Dulwich College Seoul · French School of Seoul · Korea Foreign School
This area suits families looking for international education combined with convenient access to Gangnam.
Popular residential areas: Banpo · Seorae Village · Seocho · Jamwon · Sinsa
• Seodaemun / Yeonhui / Mapo
Schools: Seoul Foreign School · Dwight School Seoul · Seoul Japanese School · Seoul Overseas Chinese Middle & High School
Popular residential areas: Yeonhui-dong · Yeonnam-dong · Mapo · Sangam · Seongsan
• Gangnam
Schools: Korea International School – Seoul Campus (K–Grade 5)
Popular residential areas: Daechi · Gaepo · Dogok · Samseong · Apgujeong · Cheongdam
• Eastern Seoul
Schools: Korea Kent Foreign School · International Mongolia School
Popular residential areas: Gwangjin · Seongsu · Ttukseom · Jamsil
• Northern Seoul
Schools: Asia Pacific International School
Popular residential areas: Nowon · Wolgye · Seongbuk
What Should Families Consider Before Choosing a School?
Choosing an international school is about more than tuition. Here are five questions worth asking.
- What curriculum does your child already follow? If your child studies under the British, American, French, German or IB system, moving to a similar curriculum can make the transition easier.
- How long will your family stay in Korea? For a short assignment, continuity with your child’s current curriculum matters most. For a longer stay, look at the school’s full pathway through high school and university preparation.
- What language does your child need? Some schools operate mainly in English, while others are built around French, German, Japanese, Chinese or other languages.
- Where will you work? A school that looks close on a map may not suit your daily commute. Seoul traffic can make school and work journeys much longer at peak hours.
- How will your child get to school? Ask about school bus routes, pickup locations, travel time, transportation fees, walking access and traffic during school hours.
Don’t Choose Your Home Before Checking the School
For families relocating to Seoul, we strongly recommend checking school admission and housing together.
A common mistake is to find an apartment first and only then discover that:
- The preferred school is far away
- The school bus does not serve the neighborhood
- The commute is longer than expected
- The school has limited places for the child’s grade
- The family needs a different type of housing
Instead, consider the process in this order:
School → Neighborhood → Commute → Housing
This saves time and helps families avoid a home that looks perfect online but does not work for everyday family life.
International School Admission in Seoul
Admission requirements vary considerably between schools. Depending on the school and grade, families may need:
- Passport copies for the student and parents
- Birth certificate or family registry
- Previous school records and transcripts
- Teacher recommendation letters
- Standardized test results
- English-language assessment
- Admissions testing
- Student and/or parent interview
- Proof of eligibility for foreign-school enrollment
For example, Korea Kent Foreign School asks for notarized English transcripts from the last three years, one to two teacher recommendations depending on grade, and an admissions test and interview. YISS considers English proficiency, previous school records, extracurricular activities, teacher recommendations and the student’s international educational background.
Because requirements change, always check the school’s official admissions office before applying.
How Much Does International School Cost in Seoul?
Tuition varies significantly by school, grade and curriculum, and many schools quote tuition as a KRW amount plus a USD amount.
| School | Grade | Tuition (2026–2027) |
| Seoul Foreign School | K–Grade 5 | KRW 27,285,000 + USD 13,500 |
| Seoul Foreign School | Grades 6–8 | KRW 27,930,000 + USD 14,625 |
| Seoul Foreign School | Grades 9–12 | KRW 33,370,000 + USD 14,955 |
| Asia Pacific International School | K–Grade 5 | KRW 23,400,000 + USD 7,600 |
| Asia Pacific International School | Grades 6–8 | KRW 28,100,000 + USD 7,900 |
| Asia Pacific International School | Grades 9–12 | KRW 31,000,000 + USD 8,100 |
Families should budget for more than tuition alone. Other possible costs include application, entrance and registration fees, school bus, meals, books and materials, uniforms, after-school activities, field trips and technology fees.
Always check the current school-year fee schedule directly with the school.
Finding a Home Near Your Child’s School
For international families, finding the right home in Seoul means balancing several priorities at once:
School + Work + Commute + Neighborhood + Lifestyle
A family may want:
- Easy access to an international school
- A spacious apartment or villa
- A safe and quiet residential environment
- International supermarkets
- Restaurants and cafes
- Parks and recreational facilities
- Convenient transportation
- Easy access to the parents’ workplace
This is why neighborhood knowledge matters when choosing a home in Seoul.
At Atrium Seoul Realty, we work with expatriates, diplomats, international families and foreign residents looking for residential properties in Seoul. We help you weigh not only the property itself, but also the neighborhood, commute, nearby amenities and the practical side of everyday life.
Final Thoughts
Seoul offers international families a wide range of educational options, from American and British-style schools to IB, French, German, Japanese and Chinese education.
The right choice depends on your child’s age, educational background, language, future plans and eligibility, as well as your family’s lifestyle.
Once you have identified the right school, the next question becomes: Where should your family live?
Choosing a home close to the right school, while keeping your work commute and daily lifestyle in mind, can make a significant difference to your family’s experience in Seoul.
If you are moving to Seoul with your family, Atrium Seoul Realty can help you explore residential options near international schools and find a home that fits your family’s needs.
* School information was checked against official school websites and the Seoul Metropolitan Government in September 2026. Details may change, so please confirm directly with each school.
