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Thinking Christian International School has 60 pupils, typical class sizes of 8.
Location
The school is located in Yongsan District, in central Seoul, South Korea. It sits in a central urban area of the capital with access to Seoul's public transport network. The school primarily serves families of nationals and international Christian workers in the city.
Stages
Kindergarten to Grade 2.
Type
Co-educational; boarding care options are available for long-distance students.
Additional learning support
Learning support is provided through an SEN Office, with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for identified needs, in-class support, accommodations, small-group instruction, and modified tasks.
Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation; the school operates as a foreign international school within Korea.
Religious affiliation
Christian.
School day structure
The exact daily start and end times are not published in publicly accessible sources; admissions can confirm the precise schedule.
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees
Preschool / Kindergarten (유아): English A: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM — KRW 1,350,000 / Month
English B: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM — KRW 1,570,000 / Month
English C: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM — KRW 1,800,000 / Month
Elementary School (초등): English A: KRW 831,000 / Month
English B: KRW 831,000 / Month
English C: KRW 293,000 / Month
Academics
Curriculum
Thinking Christian International School (TCIS) in Seoul offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum for students from early years to pre-university, comprising the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). English is the language of instruction throughout, with a Christian worldview integrated into teaching and curriculum. ACSI Korea lists TCIS as serving Kindergarten through Grade 2, indicating an early-years footprint, while school materials describe a full K–12 IB continuum. TCIS emphasizes Learn, Love, Lead, and positions itself as a Christ-centered community guiding internationally minded learners. TCIS was established in 2020 and is located in Yongsan, Seoul. It also has a cooperative relationship with Black Forest Academy for teacher training and curriculum development.
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. Application Form and portal access. Begin by filling the official application form online and submitting the Consent Form for Personal Information. The online portal (OpenApply) guides you through the process, and you will receive a confirmation of receipt with details on the next steps. This platform keeps track of documents, appointment scheduling, and progress, providing direct communication with the admissions team as you move forward.
2. Application Fee. To complete the application, pay the non-refundable application fee of ₩300,000 KRW online via bank transfer and sign the Refund Policy Agreement. The portal will indicate where the payment is made and confirm receipt of the fee. This fee is separate from tuition and other charges, and it is required before testing and review proceed.
3. Testing and Interviews. After submitting the application, families self-schedule required testing through the portal. English and Math assessments are administered for all applicants (K1–Grade 12), with a writing sample required for Grades 3–12. Interviews are offered to selected applicants after testing and document review, with elementary students typically interviewed and middle/high school students only if necessary; dorm applicants may also have a dorm-related interview. All testing occurs on campus unless an alternate arrangement is made.
4. Submit documents. Elementary applicants must provide a School Profile Report, a Homeroom Teacher Recommendation, and the past three years of school records (if applicable). Secondary applicants (Grades 6–12) must submit the School Profile Report, English and Math teacher recommendations, past three years of records, and the official transcript (needed for Grades 9–12). Additional documents may be requested during the review, and all documents should be submitted through the admissions portal.
5. Admissions decision. The official admission announcement date is published on the TCIS site, and final decisions are communicated to applicants via email. You may be asked to provide additional information or documentation if needed to finalize the decision. Once a decision is sent, families can proceed with the next steps outlined by the admissions team.
Scholarships
Merit Scholarship at TCIS is a dedicated, conditional one-year award for high school students enrolling in Grades 10–12 (Grade 12 recipients may receive the BOT Merit Scholarship but not a financial award). Scholarships are awarded based on an application portfolio evaluated by the Merit Scholarship Committee, with performance reviewed at the end of the first semester; discontinuation is possible if the mid-term review is not passed. Criteria include academic achievement, service, leadership, character, and demonstrated passion. The deadline for the 2026-2027 school year was January 16, 2026, with recipients announced in February 2026. Applications are submitted via a Merit Scholarship form, and selected applicants are invited for a follow-up interview. Awards are applied toward the next tuition payment.
Waitlist
There is no explicit waitlist policy published on TCIS admissions pages.
School Events
The school has not added events
FAQs
Where is Thinking Christian International School located?
Thinking Christian International School is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea. It serves students aged 4 to 12 and follows the IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) with instruction in English. The Diploma Programme is the highest level of study for Grades 11–12.
What ages does TCIS serve and what curriculum does it offer?
TCIS serves learners aged 4–12. It offers the IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) as a Three-Programme IB World School, with instruction in English; the DP is the highest level for Grades 11–12.
Is TCIS a Christian international school and what language is used for instruction?
Yes. TCIS identifies as a Christian international school and delivers instruction in English. It is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and is pursuing accreditation.
What are the application, registration, and enrollment fees?
Application fee is KRW 300,000 (non-refundable); Registration fee is KRW 500,000 (non-refundable); Enrollment (one-time capital/entry) fee is KRW 4,000,000.
What is the annual tuition for Preschool/KG and is there a sibling discount?
Preschool/Kindergarten (K1–K5) annual tuition is USD 7,320 plus KRW 18,983,000; per semester it is USD 3,660 plus KRW 9,491,500. A 20% sibling discount applies to younger siblings enrolled concurrently.
What are the tuition figures for Middle School and High School?
Middle School (Grades 6–8) annual tuition is USD 8,570 plus KRW 22,220,000; per semester USD 4,285 plus KRW 11,110,000. High School (Grades 9–12) annual tuition is USD 10,530 plus KRW 27,268,000; per semester USD 5,265 plus KRW 13,634,000.
Are there other charges beyond tuition I should budget for?
Yes. Boarding for Grades 6–12 is USD 4,540 per year with a dorm capital fee of KRW 1,000,000. Optional bus routes include Cheong Ju & Sejong (KRW 4,000,000/year) and Daejeon pickup points (KRW 3,200,000/year). Lunch, ELL, senior fees, and capital fees also apply as listed in the fee schedule.
How is tuition billed and are there any payment discounts?
Tuition is invoiced by semester, with each semester representing half of the annual amount. Returning families may receive a small early‑payment discount (example 2%) if the full annual tuition is paid by the published date. Payments are made via the school's billing system (usually by bank transfer), and late payments incur penalties.
How has the DP program performed in terms of results and college destinations?
The DP Candidate Average is 38 (2021–2025), higher than the World Average of 36, and 54% of Diploma recipients earned the bilingual diploma. In 2025, graduates gained offers from universities including University of Michigan, UC Berkeley, University of Sydney, University of Toronto, and NYU.
What is the student–teacher ratio and what university guidance does TCIS provide?
The student–teacher ratio is 7:1. TCIS provides four‑year university planning starting in Grade 9; counselors help with IB Diploma course selection in Grade 10 and university applications in Grades 11–12. Most graduates pursue higher education in the USA, UK, Canada, Australasia, and Korea.
Does TCIS offer English language development (EAL) support?
Yes. The school aims to improve students' English abilities and offers EAL support. ELL fees are KRW 1,500,000 per year for Grades 6–10 and KRW 1,000,000 per year for Grades 11–12.
Is TCIS pursuing accreditation with the Association of Christian Schools International, and what's the timeline?
TCIS began the ACSI accreditation process in May 2023, with an expected timeline of 3–4 years to achieve accreditation by 2026.
Who leads TCIS, and what is their background?
Joohee Son serves as the Head of TCIS. She is the President of the Center for Education & Technology (CET) in the United States and the founder of CET; her background includes a Doctor of Education and a Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Teachers College, Columbia University, along with TESOL training.
What percentage of TCIS IB Diploma recipients earned bilingual diplomas?
54% of TCIS IB Diploma recipients earned the bilingual diploma.
Can you tell me about TCIS's community and leadership in Christian international education?
TCIS is a Christian international school and a member of ACSI; its accreditation process began in 2023 with a target around 2026. The Head of TCIS, Joohee Son, leads CET in the United States and brings a background in instructional technology and TESOL.