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Gyeongnam International Foreign School

South Korea, Sacheon

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ₩31,829,986 - 34,429,986
Ages 5 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 70
Type Co-educational
Opened 2004
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages Korean, Spanish
Typical class size 6
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Gyeongnam International Foreign School (GIFS) is located in Sacheon, South Korea, in a coastal area on the south-central tip of the country. It is an IB World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme. The campus includes an indoor gym with a climbing wall, an outdoor soccer field and playground, a large auditorium room, a dedicated technology lab, a library, music and art studios and a renovated chemistry lab, as well as an early childhood center. For activities beyond classes, GIFS runs after-school clubs from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and has a Student Council for grades 5–12. The school also uses a House System to organize events and build community across students.

49-22 Jodong-gil, Sanam-myeon, Sacheon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea

The Essentials

Gyeongnam International Foreign School has 70 pupils, typical class sizes of 6, instruction in English.

Location
GIFS is located at 49-22 Jodong-gil, Sanam-myeon, Sacheon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 52533, South Korea. The campus sits in Sacheon, a coastal city in the province's south, near Sacheon Airport. It is accessible by regional roads and local transport serving the Sacheon area.

Stages
GIFS serves students from preschool through grade 12. It offers the IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).

Type
GIFS is co-educational and operates as a day school; there are no boarding facilities.

Additional learning support
The school provides English language learning (ELL) support with two streams (ELL in-class and remedial tutoring). There is a dedicated SEN coordinator to coordinate additional learning needs.

Country affiliation
GIFS is an international IB World School located in South Korea and is not affiliated with a single country.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is documented for GIFS.

School day structure
The typical school day starts at 8:30 and ends at 4:30 on ASA days and 3:30 on non-ASA days.

Bus service
GIFS offers a school bus service; buses are available and routes are arranged through the school (provider details are not publicly listed).
Fees

Annual tuition at Gyeongnam International Foreign School ranges from KRW 31,829,986 to KRW 34,429,986 for 2026/27.

One-time / Application fees

- Registration fee: KRW 500,000 (one-time, non‑refundable).
- Capital (admission) fee: KRW 3,000,000 (one‑time, non‑refundable).

Mandatory annual fees (applies in addition to tuition)

- Curriculum and Development Fee: KRW 2,900,000 per year (mandatory).
- Note: other smaller annual charges (technology, athletic, yearbook) are listed in school documentation as separate non‑refundable annual items; amounts may vary by year and program.

Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts and currency split)

Gyeongnam International Foreign School charges tuition as a split between a Korean‑won portion and a US‑dollar portion. Annual tuition by school stage is presented below as the standard KRW component plus the USD component: these are the published tuition bands used for fee calculation and billing.

- Kindergarten / Elementary (KG – Grade 5): KRW 18,000,000 plus USD 7,000 per year.
- Middle school (Grade 6 – Grade 8): KRW 19,600,000 plus USD 7,000 per year.
- High school (Grade 9 – Grade 12): KRW 20,600,000 plus USD 7,000 per year.

How tuition can be billed (per term / frequency and surcharges)

- Standard billing options: annual (single payment), semi‑annual (two payments), or quarterly (four payments). A surcharge applies to split payments: a 5% surcharge is normally added for semi‑annual payments and a 10% surcharge is normally added for quarterly payments. A late payment penalty of 5% is applied to outstanding KRW tuition balances after the due date.

- How to interpret per‑term amounts: when a split payment option is used the surcharge is added to the tuition total and then divided by the number of instalments (for example, semi‑annual payments = (tuition × 1.05) ÷ 2; quarterly payments = (tuition × 1.10) ÷ 4). The KRW and USD portions are billed in their respective currencies.

Optional / additional charges (common extras and typical amounts)

- School lunch: published pricing example is KRW 180,000 per month × 10 months = KRW 1,800,000 per year (charged monthly or annually depending on selection).
- School transportation (bus): published examples show route‑dependent annual charges; typical published examples are KRW 2,000,000 per year for local routes (Sacheon/Jinju) and KRW 3,000,000 per year for longer routes (Geoje/Tongyeong). Transportation is billed as an optional service and in some listings is charged per family for the first attending student.
- IB examination fees (where applicable): IB MYP examination fee cited as USD 650 for MYP/Grade 10 assessments; IB Diploma examination fees cited as approximately KRW 1,800,000 for Diploma examinations. These exam fees are charged in addition to tuition for students taking the relevant assessments.
- Textbooks, school uniform, and some extracurricular or activity costs: purchased or charged separately; these items are individual purchases or billed as required and are not typically included within the standard tuition line.

Boarding / residential provision

- Boarding is not listed as a service for Gyeongnam International Foreign School. Fees above reflect a day‑school model; there are no boarding fees published.

Refund policy (key points)

- Registration fee and Capital fee are non‑refundable. Curriculum/technology/athletic/IB programme fees are also listed as non‑refundable annual items. Tuition is generally non‑refundable in the standard published policy; transportation and lunch fees are refundable on a monthly basis (refund of the next month when discontinued). A formal refund/withdrawal form is required by the school as part of the withdrawal/refund process. A late fee policy and surcharges for split payments are part of the payment and refund rules.

Billing schedule and payment terms (practical items)

- Payment frequencies accepted include annual, semi‑annual and quarterly payments; split‑payment surcharges apply (5% semi‑annual, 10% quarterly). A 5% late fee is applied to outstanding KRW balances after the due date. Transportation and lunch fees are often billed monthly and refunded on a monthly basis when discontinued. Parents are required to complete the school's withdrawal/refund statement as part of any refund request.

Accepted payment methods and instruction format

- KRW payments: bank transfer to the school's KRW account at Woori Bank (account details published in school payment instruction documents). USD payments: bank transfer to the school's USD account at Woori Bank; for USD payments the school also accepts personal check or cash in some circumstances. Payment instructions and SWIFT details are published in the school's payment guidance.

Other administrative notes about fees

- Many published fee presentations show the tuition as two components (KRW portion + USD portion) plus the mandatory Curriculum and Development fee; the sum of those components produces the annual total charge per student. Examples of total annual cost presentations combine these pieces to give an overall yearly figure per grade.

- Late payment penalties, surcharges for instalment plans, non‑refundable classification of one‑time and many annual fees, and separate optional service charges (lunch, transport, IB exam fees) are standard elements of the school's fee structure. Parents should plan for the one‑time registration and capital fees at enrolment in addition to the annual tuition and mandatory curriculum/development charge.
Academics

Gyeongnam International Foreign School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 5 to 18.

Curriculum
GIFS is an IB Continuum World School in Sacheon, South Korea, offering Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The school provides a continuous K–12 IB curriculum with PYP for Preschool/Kindergarten through Grade 5, MYP for Grades 6–10, and DP for Grades 11–12. The DP features a broad range of subjects across groups, including Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches; Applications and Interpretation), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English A Language & Literature, English A Literature, Korean A LAL, Korean B, French Ab Initio, Spanish B, Film, Visual Arts, Psychology, Philosophy, Theory of Knowledge, and Korean language options. The PYP and MYP are organized around the IB transdisciplinary inquiry framework, with the MYP incorporating the Personal Project in its final year. The instruction language is English, with DP language options including Korean, French Ab Initio, and Spanish B; Korean A LAL and Korean B are also offered. GIFS also provides after-school clubs for Kindergarten through Grade 12 to support its IB programs.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Gyeongnam International Foreign School is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme with instruction in English. The school lists dedicated IB coordinators for the DP, MYP, and PYP, and a University and Career Counsellor (Benjamin Guilfoyle) to support students' post‑secondary planning. Publicly visible sources note GIFS operates after‑school clubs and a Student Council for grades 5–12, including a Lifestyle and Wellbeing focus within clubs, which supports student social engagement. However, explicit, named school‑wide SEL curricula or programs are not publicly disclosed beyond these counselling and leadership structures. The IB framework emphasizes inclusion and student well‑being as part of the broader IB context, but specific SEL initiatives at GIFS are not detailed in public sources.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
GIFS provides Special Educational Needs (SEN) support with dedicated staff and learning support for students with learning needs. Publicly available databases describe SEN provision, including access to an education psychologist. GIFS is not listed as a specialist SEN institution, but IB World Schools typically implement inclusive practices to support diverse learning needs. The school's SEN provisions, including the availability of learning support and psychology services, are corroborated by international school directories.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The language of instruction at GIFS is English. Public sources indicate language support for students not fluent in English, described as English Language Acquisition Support, within the school's student support framework. Some third‑party school profiles also mention an ELL/English language‑support pathway (including a two‑stream model in other descriptions of GIFS' EAL provision). The core IB materials confirm English as the main instructional language and the availability of language supports within the student services context.

Mental Wellbeing
Public sources confirm GIFS provides access to mental health resources, including an education psychologist as part of student services. The International Schools Database lists ‘education psychologist' as available for GIFS' student support. In addition, club offerings described by external directories include a Lifestyle and Wellbeing emphasis, implying opportunities focused on holistic well‑being. Taken together, GIFS appears to support mental wellbeing through both professional support and wellbeing‑oriented extracurriculars.

Safeguarding
IB World Schools are expected to operate under local child‑protection laws and to provide information on safeguarding procedures. The IB inclusive‑education framework reinforces safeguarding as part of creating an accessible, supportive learning environment. GIFS' specific safeguarding policies are not publicly disclosed in accessible sources beyond these IB expectations. For general context, IB guidance on student protection and safeguarding is applicable to GIFS as an IB World School.
Parent Experience

History
GIFS opened in 2004 with sixteen students at a purpose-built campus in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. It began as a privately funded international day school serving a diverse expatriate and local community, with enrollment influenced by regional industry and projects in Sacheon, Jinju, and Geoje. GIFS earned Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation in 2007. It joined the International Baccalaureate World School program in 2015, offering the Diploma Programme to juniors and seniors. In the early 2010s, GIFS pursued regional expansion plans, including a Changwon International Foreign School project and a Geoje boarding program in collaboration with Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone authorities.

Community
GIFS has a culturally diverse student body drawn from approximately 18 nationalities. The school offers after-school clubs for Kindergarten through Grade 12, a Student Council for Grades 5–12, and a House System that organizes events and fosters community. The campus includes a library, music and art studios, a dedicated technology lab, and a science lab, plus an indoor gym to support a broad range of co-curricular activities. Community events include the Fall Festival, an annual gathering that features games, food, and opportunities for parent participation.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
GIFS maintains a formal Parent Teacher Organization (PTA) as referenced in the GIFS Handbook; the Handbook notes PTA-related content under 'Parent Teacher Communication' on the website. An Advisory Committee includes a GIFS parent as a member among five; its function is to advise and suggest matters for the educational program. The Advisory Committee's meetings are scheduled by the Director, with the Board typically meeting in May and October in the school library. Formal parent/guardian conferences occur twice a year after the First and Third Quarters, with additional conferences by appointment. RenWeb and a Branded Parent Web provide school-home communications, and the school's newsletter posts PTA news. The site indicates the presence of 'Parent Teacher Organization' news on GIFS's website, reflecting active parent engagement through the PTA and related communications.
Languages

Language Provision
GIFS offers English-language instruction for its IB programs as the main medium, with Korean provided as additional language instruction. DP language options include Korean A Language and Literature, Korean B, Spanish B, and French AB. English Language Learner (ELL) support is available for non-native English speakers, and additional language classes in Korean, Spanish, and French are offered. GIFS serves students from ages 5 to 18 across PYP to DP.

Bilingual Teaching
English is the primary language of instruction for GIFS' IB programs. In 2022, Korean is listed as a language of instruction in addition to English, indicating a bilingual element. The Diploma Programme includes Korean A Language and Literature, Korean B, Spanish B, and French AB as language options. English Language Learner (ELL) support is provided for non-native English speakers, and GIFS serves students from about age 5 to 18 (PYP to DP).
Reputation

Awards
Awards: GIFS does not publicly post school-level awards for the past five years in its available public materials. The school emphasizes its IB status and international affiliations rather than award recognitions in publicly shared documents.

Accreditations
Gyeongnam International Foreign School (GIFS) holds two formal accreditations that shape its international reputation:
- IB World School (Diploma Programme): GIFS is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, with authorization granted on March 3, 2015. The Diploma Programme is taught in English, reinforcing GIFS's international orientation and university recognition of its coursework.
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation: GIFS is fully accredited by WASC, a U.S.-based accrediting organization that certifies international schools for meeting rigorous quality standards. WASC accreditation signals alignment with international benchmarks for academic quality, governance, financial stability, and student outcomes; GIFS' accreditation traces back to 2007 when it first earned WASC recognition.
- Minister of Education, Republic of Korea (Certification): GIFS holds certification from Korea's Ministry of Education, reflecting government recognition of its compliance with national standards for foreign- and international-oriented schools.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Check Eligibility: GIFS accepts applicants who meet at least one of these categories: expatriate children; a child from a marriage where one parent is Korean and the other is an expatriate; Korean children who were educated overseas for more than three years; or Korean children who are legally adopted by an expatriate family. Meeting one category makes a student eligible to apply. Prospective families should confirm their eligibility before beginning the application process.

2. Initiate Online Application: Start with the GIFS online application through the GIFS business office. An online application is preferred for initial submission. GIFS welcomes new students to join throughout the school year, and the school serves PreKindergarten through 12th Grade.

3. Admission Timeline and Grade Levels: Applications are accepted at any time during the academic year, which typically runs from late August to mid-June. GIFS admits students of all nationalities in PreKindergarten through 12th Grade.

4. Submit Required Documents: The application package includes a Registration Form and a Student Information Form. Non-Korean applicants must provide a copy of a foreign passport or a residency card; Korean students must provide a Certificate of Overseas Travel Record. Official transcripts from the previous school must be submitted. In addition, applicants may be asked to provide an Immunization Record, Medical Information Form, Power of Attorney/Waiver Form, and a Statement of Understanding of Refund Policy.

5. Admission Policy and Language/Entry Requirements: Elementary – PYP and Secondary – MYP require completion of the online application and may include an interview with school staff. Non-native English speakers must take the WIDA exam to determine language-support needs. For the Diploma Programme (Grade 11–12), applicants have an interview with the IB Coordinator; an English-language test is required if English is not the first language, with Cambridge FCE or equivalent as a minimum. Entry to Grade 11 may require evidence of sufficient progress, and, if progress is not adequate, the student may start Grade 11 again the following year; if the DP entry requirements cannot be met, an alternative course may be offered.

Scholarships
No scholarships or financial aid programs are publicly advertised by GIFS in the available admissions materials. The published fees structure focuses on registration, capital, curriculum and development fees, and tuition by grade, with no mention of merit or need-based scholarships.
School Events
The school has not added events
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