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Kwangju Foreign School

South Korea, Gwangju

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ₩19,800,000 - 26,800,000
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 50
Type Co-educational
Opened 1999
Bus Service Yes
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin
Typical class size 7
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Kwangju Foreign School (KFS) is a private foreign school in Gwangju, South Korea, serving students from Pre-K through Grade 12. Opened in March 1999, the school follows an American-style program guided by Common Core and NextGen standards. It offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school. KFS claims to a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio and an average class size of 7. Students can join activities such as Model United Nations, orchestra, chess, gardening and sports including futsal, basketball and volleyball. The school also describes “learning beyond the classroom,” including trips such as a middle-school visit to the DMZ.

kwangjufs.org

106 Samso-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

Kwangju Foreign School has 50 pupils, typical class sizes of 7, instruction in English.

Location
Kwangju Foreign School is located at 106 Samso-ro, Geonguk-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea 61005. The campus sits behind the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in Geonguk-dong, Buk-gu, placing it in the city's western outskirts near a major research campus. The site is accessible by local roads and bus routes serving central and northern Gwangju.

Stages
Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Elementary covers Pre-K through Grade 4; Middle School runs from Grade 5 to Grade 8; High School comprises Grade 9 to Grade 12.

Type
Private, co-educational day school.

Additional learning support
The school offers a Bridge Program for students whose first language is not English. The program provides long‑term English language development and core subject support, led by an ESL teacher.

Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation is stated. The school operates as a private foreign school with an American curriculum and WASC accreditation.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is indicated.

School day structure
The school year runs about 180 days, from mid-August to mid-June, with holidays observed in Korea and internationally.

Bus service
Bus transportation is available for a fee; routes cover major residential areas across Gwangju, with typical travel times capped at about one hour each way.
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees

Annual tuition at Kwangju Foreign School ranges from KRW 19,800,000 to KRW 26,800,000 for 2026/27.

Application & enrolment fees

- Admissions Test Fee: KRW 100,000 — one-time, non-refundable.
- Registration Fee: KRW 300,000 — one-time, non-refundable.
- Entrance Fee (capital/development levy on entry): KRW 4,000,000 — one-time, non-refundable.

Annual tuition fees (2025–2026 academic year)

- Elementary School (Grades 1–4): KRW 22,500,000 per year.
- Middle School (Grades 5–8): KRW 24,200,000 per year.
- High School (Grades 9–12): KRW 25,800,000 per year.

Per-term breakdown and billing schedule

- The published fee summary provides annual tuition amounts but does not publish a per-term (term-by-term) tuition breakdown or specific billing dates in the public summary. The school provides a detailed Tuition Form that contains full payment information, terms, and conditions.

Optional and other recurring fees

- Bus (transportation) Fee: KRW 1,800,000 (optional).
- Lunch Fee: KRW 1,500,000 (optional).
- Development Fee: KRW 1,000,000 (recurring/annual).
- Yearbook Fee: KRW 70,000 (annual).

Boarding

- Kwangju Foreign School is a day school; there is no boarding programme and no boarding fees.

Uniforms and school dress

- KFS has a school uniform policy requiring official uniforms Monday through Thursday; Fridays are casual days. Uniform cost is not listed in the published fee summary.

Refund information

- The Admissions Test Fee, Registration Fee, and Entrance Fee are explicitly described as one-time and non-refundable.
- A detailed statement covering payment, withdrawal, and refund terms is part of the school's application documentation (Statement of Understanding on Payment/Withdrawal/Refund Policy); a specific public tuition refund schedule is not provided in the published summary.

Fee currency and payment terms

- All tuition and fees are payable exclusively in Korean Won (KRW).
- The public fee summary does not list the specific accepted payment methods (for example, which credit cards, electronic payment platforms, or bank transfer instructions). Those details are provided in the school's full Tuition Form and application documents.

Notes on information not published in the public fee summary

- The public fee summary gives annual amounts and the one-time/new-student fees listed above, but it does not publish a per-term tuition split, exact invoice/billing dates or instalment schedule, specific payment method options (bank account details or card acceptance), itemised uniform costs, or a full tuition refund schedule. These items are indicated to be covered in the school's detailed Tuition Form and in application paperwork; the tuition summary itself does not include those line-by-line details.

If you require these missing line-item details (per-term amounts, instalment dates, payment method instructions, uniform pricing, or the full refund schedule), those are included in the school's detailed Tuition Form and application documentation referenced in the school's admissions materials.
Academics

Kwangju Foreign School teaches Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
Kwangju Foreign School offers an American curriculum for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), with a 4:1 student‑to‑teacher ratio. The Core Curriculum is anchored in the Common Core State Standards for mathematics and English/language arts, supplemented by the AERO Common Core Plus Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, with the High School offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses for college preparation. The Cougar Core, the school-wide learner outcomes, emphasizes critical thinking, self-directed learning, proficiency with technology, effective communication, and social and cultural awareness. For students whose first language is not English, the KFS Bridge Program provides long-term English language development and core-subject support, in addition to MAP-based admissions assessments. The Elementary (Pre-K–4), Middle (5–8), and High School (9–12) divisions structure the program, with AP courses available in the High School to support higher education progression.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
The school has not added this information
Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
The school has not added this information
Reputation
The school has not added this information
Admissions

Admissions
1. Admissions Consultation. Families begin by submitting a simple initial application and meeting with the admissions team. During this consultation, KFS outlines its programs, curriculum, learning environment, and the overall admissions process, and answers any questions from parents. If the family wishes to continue, the admissions team guides them to reserve an Admissions Assessment. 2. Test Application & Pre-Assessment Documents. To reserve an Admissions Assessment appointment, families must submit the Test Application and prepare the following: academic transcripts from the past 3 years; a Test Assessment Fee of 100,000 KRW (paid prior to assessment); and for Middle & High School applicants, two confidential recommendation letters. The Admissions Assessment date is set only after documents and the fee are received. 3. Admissions Assessment. The Admissions Assessment includes a MAP Screening Test (Mathematics & Reading Comprehension), an age-appropriate English writing activity, and a 1:1 interview evaluating motivation, academic readiness, communication skills, behavior, and emotional preparedness. After the assessment, admissions staff provide immediate feedback, including MAP results and interview/writing activity. 4. Admissions Decision. Admissions decisions are made after reviewing the assessment results and submitted documents. Families will receive the official decision within approximately one business week. 5. Document Submission (On/Offline). Once a student is accepted, the admissions office will guide families through the KFS Online Application Form and KFS Application Checklist. Parents must complete and submit all required online and offline documents as instructed. 6. Payment & Enrollment. To finalize enrollment, families complete tuition and fee payment and final enrollment confirmation. Enrollment is official once both steps are completed. Fees for 2025-2026 are as follows: Elementary ₩22,500,000; Middle ₩24,200,000; High ₩25,800,000; New Student Fees: Admissions Test ₩100,000; Registration ₩300,000; Entrance ₩4,000,000; Other Fees: Bus ₩1,800,000; Lunch ₩1,500,000; Development ₩1,000,000; Yearbook ₩70,000. Tuition and fees are paid exclusively in Korean Won.

Scholarships
Scholarships: Kwangju Foreign School does not publish standard scholarships. The school offers individualized financial aid packages for families, managed by the admissions or school office, and details vary by family situation. To pursue aid, families should engage with the admissions team to discuss eligibility and the application process for financial aid.

Waitlist
Waitlist/Pool: Kwangju Foreign School does not operate a traditional waitlist. Admissions are conducted year-round with a guarantee of a 100% open vacancy for the grade your child will be entering, supported by small class sizes and a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Families can inquire about current capacity and seat availability at any time, and the admissions team will guide them through the ongoing process.
School Events
The school has not added events
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