Seoul Foreign School
 | This article may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience. (October 2012) |
| Seoul Foreign School | |
|---|---|
| File:SeoulForeignSchoollogo.jpg | |
| Address | |
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55 Yonhidong Seoul, Republic of Korea 120-113 | |
| Coordinates | 37°34′9″N 126°56′13″E / 37.56917°N 126.93694°E |
| Information | |
| Type | Private School |
| Established | 1912 |
| Head of School | Dr. Colm Flanagan  |
| Enrollment | ~1,500 |
| Color(s) | Red Black |
| Athletics conference | KAIAC APAC |
| Team name | The Crusaders |
| Organizational Membership |
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| Website | sfs.or.kr |
Located in Seoul, South Korea, the Seoul Foreign School is a K-12 college preparatory school founded in 1912 by Christian missionaries to Korea.[1]It offers both an American and British style education to international students with an emphasis on "Christian values." The school has been located in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu since 1959.
History
Seoul Foreign School is the 7th oldest International School in the world, including the oldest British International School in Korea, and the first to offer the IB Diploma and IGCSE, Seoul Foreign School has a proven legacy spanning more than 100 years. Seoul Foreign School has witnessed dramatic changes in Korea, while remaining true to their core values. Committed to inspiring academic excellence, promoting Christian values, and responsible, internationally minded citizens, their Alumni span the globe, making significant contributions in distinct fields.[2]
Seoul Foreign School is the only International School in Seoul to offer a diverse, and complete Pre-K to Grade 12 educational experience by providing both the English National Curriculum or an American curriculum, culminating in high school with the IGCSEs and IB Diploma.
Mission Statement
Seoul Foreign School, centered in Christ, inspires educational excellence and promotes Christian values, personal integrity and responsible global citizenship through a dynamic international experience.
Divisions
British School
Head Teacher: Dr. Timothy Gray, MBE
Deputy Head Teacher: Damian Prest
The British School (SFBS) offers a curriculum based around the English National Primary Strategy and National Curriculum spanning from Reception to Year 9. Students in the British school division participate in a sporting competition (called Fobissea for short) in the South East Asia and Asia region that is open to all British schools in the area. There are children from over 50 nationalities at the school.
Elementary School
Principal: Mr. Damian Prest
Assistant Principal: Mr. Brian Webb
Counselor(Grades 3-5): Ms. Rhonda Chavis
Counselor(Grades Pre-K -2): Ms. Margaret Park
The elementary school (SFES) offers a curriculum based on standard U.S.-style grade school education. Grade levels include Pre-K to 5th grade. School uniforms were introduced to SFES in the school year 2008-2009. The Seoul Foreign Elementary School offers specials for every student including Music, Korean, Information Technology, Library, Art, and PE. A new building was completed for the 2008-2009 school year and includes a new cafeteria, 400 seat performance hall, media center/library, upgraded classrooms, and a spirit store. Every elementary classroom teacher utilizes a Smartboard and various other technology such as an iPad or a Laptop in their classroom. In the fall of 2011, a 1-to-1 laptop program was instituted in the fifth grade.
Middle School
Principal: Justin Smith
Assistant Principal: Jon Hill
Counselor: Dale Swanson
Seoul Foreign Middle School (SFMS), grades 6-8, seeks to educate "the whole child" based on the philosophy of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE, formerly NMSA). The school is embracing the use of digital tools for learning in the forms of SmartBoards in each classroom, 1:1 computing (every student has a laptop by 2013), NWEA MAP testing, ALEKS online math learning, subscriptions to major online research databases, the use of the Edmodo.com learning management system, and sets of iPads/iPods. All students are engaged in a well-rounded curriculum based on top programs from around the world, including Singapore Math, Common Core, standards from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), and Indiana State standards. Support programs are in place for students who need help gaining a mastery of academic English or who may have mild learning difficulties. There are four foreign language tracks offered: Spanish, French, Korean (for non-native speakers), and heritage Korean (for native Korean speakers). Students are engaged in a vibrant arts program, with all students engaged in music classes, visual arts, and drama each year. The music program is especially strong, with multiple levels of course offerings in choir, band, and strings orchestra. Every student also takes Christian Studies, an academic course that introduces students to the foundational ideas of the Christian faith from a non-denominational perspective. Students who are interested in exploring their faith on a personal level may participate in a vibrant after-school discipleship program. All students take PE, and are assigned to an Advisory class where students are supported by an advisor who monitors their overall progress and helps students set and achieve academic, social, and personal goals. Character education is important throughout the curriculum. All SFMS students are able to participate in a variety of after-school sports. SFMS belongs to the Korean American Interscholastic Activities Conference (KAIAC), allowing for competition and collaboration with other schools in sports and the arts.
High School
Principal: Stuart Kent
Assistant Principal: Steve Dornbach
IB Coordinator: Steve Dornbach
IGCSE Coordinator: Ruth Sanderson
Athletic Director: Jim Milliken
The high school (SFHS) offers a western style curriculum that is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The high school is also authorized to offer the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) program through Cambridge International Examinations and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program from the IBO. Graduates from Seoul Foreign School attend universities and colleges throughout the world.
Music program
All students from kindergarten through 8th grade take music as a core part of their curriculum. The school offers band, choir and orchestra classes as well as IB music and a band program. Both the Middle School Symphonic Band and the High School Wind Ensemble have won numerous awards and acknowledgements in the field.[3]
Performing Arts Facilities
The Lyso Center for Performing Arts is a 10 million dollar complex dedicated to the performing arts. It includes large rehearsal rooms for band, choir, and orchestra, as well as ensemble and individual practice rooms. There is also a keyboard/composition lab. The main theater seats over 700 people, has a hydraulic orchestra pit, a turn table, and a removable large Wenger acoustical sell. There is also a Black Box theater with flexible seating up to 200 people. Robb Hall is a mid-size theater and has seating for 450 people.
1:1 Program
In the fall of 2011 Seoul Foreign School began the process of rolling out a 1:1 laptop program. The rollout began in grades five and six in the elementary and middle school and years six and seven in the British school. By the start or the 2013-2014 school year the 1:1 laptop program will be fully rolled out, encompassing grades four through twelve school-wide.
Discovery Week
Each fall/autumn all High School students participate in Discovery Week, a week-long educational experience that focuses on study beyond the classroom. Led by High School faculty members, a wide variety of courses take place within Seoul; others take place in different countries throughout the world. There are four different categories for the Discovery Weeks trips: service, educational/cultural, physical/active, and trips regarding the arts. The 2012 Discovery Week trips overseas courses went to Cambodia, China, Philippines, England, Nepal, Italy, Vietnam, Japan, and the Tioman Island.
Athletic Facilities
Seoul Foreign School has an indoor sports complex which houses two gyms, each with several basketball courts, indoor volleyball courts, as well as one weight training/fitness room. Also, located outside are two more basketball courts (next to the soccer field). More basketball courts can also be found on the British school playground. There is an artificial turf soccer (football) field, a sandpit for long jump, and a running track. There is also an indoor pool and two tennis courts are situated above it. Two more tennis courts are situated adjacent to the British school playground. There is also a gymnastics room for various uses ranging from acrobatics workout to ballet practice. An additional four tennis courts are located on the roof of the cafeteria.
Extracurricular activities
Seoul Foreign School supports a number of activities. At the HS level, an academic activity is the AMC (American Math Competition) competition with three levels of competition: 8th grade, 10th grade, and 12th grade. SFS High School has an active Model United Nations activity with weekly meetings and two meets annually (one in Seoul and the other in Beijing.) A Speech and Debate team also represents SFS with forensic meets with local and area schools. There are a number of choral, instrumental (band, orchestra, and jazz band), drama, and musical productions throughout the years. High school students are also able to participate in Habitat for Humanity, both national and international builds, and the National Honor Society. As for sports, Seoul Foreign School is part of the Korean American Interscholastic Activities Conference (KAIAC) and the Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC). The fall sports for high school are tennis, volleyball, cross country. Cross country and volleyball both have Varsity and Junior Varsity teams for both genders, whereas there is only one co-ed Varsity team for tennis. Winter sports are basketball and cheerleading, both of which have Varsity as well as JV teams. Soccer and swimming are both spring sports, and they both have only Varsity teams.
SFS Middle School participates in an area Spelling Bee, KMO and other clubs. There are also sports and other after-school activities, such as the Jazz Band/Ensemble, chess club, instrumental private lessons. Film club is also a popular club that meets on Mondays to create films and at the end of the year, hosts a film festival with all of the profit going to GIN (Global Issues Network). Additional activities are sponsored by each division's "Senate", or Student Council. These activities include dances, swims and various other events throughout the school year.
Recently, the 2010-2011 Girls Varsity Soccer Team of Seoul Foreign School won the All-Girls APAC Super Tournament hosted by Shanghai American School Pudong, beating 12 other teams, undefeated.
Finances
Seoul Foreign School is a private non-profit organisation. Although they have no specific obligations to publish their financial data, SFS recently published a financial report for the year ending on June 30, 2008 where total revenue was $3,393,043 and payroll was $1,884,055.[4]
Children whose parent/s are pastors of various Christian denominations may receive tuition for free or at discounted price.
Christian Emphasis
SFS focuses on Christian values which are promoted in a variety of ways. The influence of Christianity originated in 1912 when missionaries first-founded the school and continues today. The school is however not affiliated with a particular denomination or with a particular church and the enrolled students come from different religious backgrounds. They have Christian Studies class but does not enforce the students to convert to Christianity.
Notable alumni
- Ken Jennings: holds the record for the longest winning streak in the U.S. syndicated game show Jeopardy![5]
- Ien Chi: Korean American filmmaker, 2011 winner of the Best Director and Best Picture awards at the world's largest student film festival: Campus MovieFest[6]
- Eddie Shin: Korean singer and actor. Recently re-debuted with an Asian-American singing group, Aziatix.
- Jessica Lee Da Hee: Korean singer; Debuted in 2011 as a part of the group, C-REAL.
References
- ^ http://www.seoulforeign.org/page.cfm?p=64
- ^ http://www.seoulforeign.org/page.cfm?p=2
- ^ http://www.seoulforeign.org/page.cfm?p=228
- ^ Financial Report, Statement of Activities (for the year ended June 30, 2008). Accessed 9 November 2009
- ^ e.g. Seoul Foreign School 1984 Yearbook, Class 4G
- ^ "IFG Winners". Campus MovieFest. 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-30.