Busan Foreign School

The campus is in a quiet residential area in Haeundae, Busan, beside Jangsan Mountain. It is about a 10-minute walk from Metro Line 2 Jung Dong Station and a 10-minute bus ride to the beach. The address is 45, Daecheon-ro 67 beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan 48084, Republic of Korea. The campus is near Yangun Elementary School and sits within the Haeundae district.

BFS serves Pre-K3 through 12th grade. The school is organized into Early Childhood, Elementary (Kindergarten to Grade 5), and Middle & High School (Grades 6–12).

Co-educational, day school.

BFS provides English Language Learner (ELL) support with dedicated teachers for K–2, 3–5, and 6–12. The school also offers Academic Support within Student Life and counseling services. A Child Safeguarding policy is in place to protect students.

No formal country affiliation; BFS operates as an international, American standards–based school.

No religious affiliation is listed.

The standard school day typically runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with after-school activities available.

BFS operates a bus service with multiple routes in Busan (and related areas). Bus routes are listed with drivers and designated stops; safe transport procedures are described in the BFS School Handbook, including arrival practices (buses aim to arrive about 10 minutes before the start) and a late bus option for after-school activities.

Busan Foreign School delivers a rigorous American standards-based curriculum from Early Childhood through Grade 12 and is accredited by WASC; the program includes Advanced Placement (AP) courses and an AP Capstone Diploma for college preparation. In Elementary (PK–Grade 5), instruction aligns with the Common Core for literacy and mathematics, the AERO Standards for Social Studies, and NGSS for Science, with social-emotional learning supported by the Wayfinder program and Responsive Classroom. In Middle and High School, BFS uses the Understanding by Design framework and maintains a 26-credit graduation requirement; the AP program offers courses across English, History, Economics, Chemistry, Psychology, and more, including the AP Capstone Diploma. Instruction is delivered in English, with Korean or Spanish offered as world-language options at the Elementary level and ELL support available for non-native speakers. The Early Childhood program (PK3–K4) uses a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach with a full-day curriculum focused on literacy, numeracy, art, music, physical education, and social-emotional readiness for transition to Kindergarten.

SEL is supported through the Counseling Department and the Student Success Team, delivering universal social-emotional lessons and coordinating targeted SSTP plans, while Wayfinder and Responsive Classroom practices foster self-awareness, empathy, collaboration, and positive behavior.

BFS uses an inclusive model with Learning Support and an Academic Support Coordinator to develop Student Success Team Plans addressing academic and social-emotional needs, and provides Language Support for English Language Learners (ELL).

English Language Learner (ELL) support is provided under BFS's inclusion model; new students are assessed at enrollment and the level of ELL support is determined using the WIDA assessment when appropriate.

Mental wellbeing is supported by the Counseling Department through self-advocacy, social dynamics, and mental-health work, with middle and high school advisory sessions focusing on SEL topics and on-site Military Family Life Counselor support for eligible families.

Safeguarding is addressed through mandatory staff training via ChildSafeguarding.com, annual review of the BFS Child Protection Handbook by teaching staff, and compliance with Korean reporting requirements and U.S. military safeguarding frameworks.

1. Contact Us. Contact BFS through the inquiry form to get started. This initiates the admissions process and provides BFS with basic information about your child, the grade level you're targeting, and how you prefer to be reached. You may be invited to schedule a campus visit or receive additional instructions from the Admissions Team. 2. Apply. Submit the application through the BFS application portal. The portal guides you through the submission process and collects essential information about the student and family, and you will be guided to the next steps. 3. Submit Documents. Submit all required documents as guided by the portal instructions. Document requirements vary by eligibility category: for students with at least one foreign parent (dual citizenship), you must provide the completed Student Application form, copies of passports, last two years of academic records, birth certificate or family relation certificate, standardized test results (upon request), and letters of recommendation or attendance/good standing as applicable; for Korean-parent families, you must provide the completed form, copies of passports, last two years of academic records for grades 2 and above, family relation certificate, Entry & Exit Certificate, standardized test results (upon request), and letters of recommendation or attendance/good standing as applicable. 4. Interview. Complete an interview with a member of our Admissions Team (in-person or virtual). The interview is an opportunity to discuss the student's background, readiness, and goals, and to ask questions about BFS. 5. Testing. Undergo level and standardized testing if necessary (level testing and/or English language ability). Testing helps determine placement and language support needs. 6. Decision. Our Admissions Committee will review the application and all documents; you will receive a decision within 2-3 weeks. If admitted, the Admissions Office will communicate directly with the family for additional enrollment documents and requirements.