Deep dive into Korean school enrollment with Gyeonggi Multicultural Education Support Center

Last time, we introduced a list of international schools in Gyeonggi Province. In this post, we will learn about admission methods in det...

Last time, we introduced a list of international schools in Gyeonggi Province. In this post, we will learn about admission methods in detail by school type.

Before introducing these admission methods, however, let’s first learn about the Gyeonggi Multicultural Education Support Center. From the kindergarten to elementary, middle and high school levels, the center provides useful information on enrollment, curricula and school life as well as on withdrawals, absences and vaccinations! For a comprehensive overview of international education in Korea, please refer to the Gyeonggi Multicultural Education Support Center website.

Website content
■ Parent’s dashboard
- Kindergarten: Admission, daily operation, curricula, after-school programs, tuition support, elementary school entrance
- Elementary school: Admission, timetables, curricula, middle school entrance
- Middle school: Admission, curricula, school life, high school entrance
High School: Admissions, curricula, school life, college entrance
- In times like these: Withdrawal, absences, school life, school violence, sick leave, vaccinations, COVID-19
- Parent information materials, etc.

You can find more information on Korean educational curricula organized on the website of the Gyeonggi Multicultural Education Support Center.

Gyeonggi Multicultural Education Support Center
□ Website: https://more.goe.go.kr/da
□ Available language: 33 languages (including Korean, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Taiwanese, Mongolian, and more)

Now, here is detailed information related to admission/transfer/enrollment by school type.

1. Kindergarten admission procedures
Admission
- Pre-primary infants from 3 years of age to elementary school
Admission period
- Every year from early November to December
Early childhood admission and selection
- The kindergarten admission management system is referred to as 'First School.'
- The term "first-time school" encompasses guardians who want to enter their children in kindergarten and allows them to conveniently search for information about kindergartens online without restrictions on time and place; kindergartens provide fair selection results to help parents resolve inconveniences.
- Recruitment process: Priority recruitment, general recruitment
** Since the recruitment process is different for each kindergarten, please first confirm that children from multicultural families are priority recruitment targets of the desired kindergarten.
** Families who are unable to access the Internet or undertaking the process for the first time can visit the desired kindergarten and apply on-site.

2. Elementary school admission procedures
Admission
- Children who will be 6 years of age between January 1 to December 31
School system and tuition
- 6-year program / Free education
Admission period
- The elementary school period runs from March 1 to the end of February of the following year; admission takes place in early March.
(However, occasional admission is possible where there is no obstacle in terms of a given school's curriculum.)
Admission procedures
A. Multicultural students with Korean nationality
1. Receive a school attendance notice (from December 20)
2. Visit the school on the day of the preliminary intake (January of the following year)
3. School entrance (early March)

B. Multicultural students with foreign nationality
1. Visit the school in advance and submit related documents
2. Visit the school on the day of the preliminary intake
3. School entrance (early March)

Foreign students (children of foreign families) do not receive school attendance notices, so admission counseling is required at a nearby elementary school with necessary documents (documentation that supports their sojourn in Korea as well as other documents as indicated by the school).

3. Middle school admission procedures
If you are in elementary school in Korea
The elementary school oversees preparation and processing of documents related to admission.
In the case of specialized middle schools, refer to the school website or contact the school directly for information on the admission process.

In the case of entering Korea after residing in a foreign country for a certain period.
Admission procedures
1. Application for admission/confirmation of admission
- Office of Education with jurisdiction over residence or a nearby middle school
2. Preparation of documents (guardian)
3. Confirmation of document submission (corresponding school)
4. Grade decision (corresponding school)
5. Processing of academic records (corresponding schools)

Admission documents required for admission to and withdrawal from school
- Proof of immigration or proof of alien registration
※ If the provision of such material is impractical, it can be replaced with documents that prove the fact of residence, such as lease contracts or certificates of labor.
- Documents for recognition of academic background (confirmation of regular schools located in foreign countries) and for determining grades (graduation certificates, enrollment certificates, performance certificates, etc.)
※ Apostille or consulate notarized documents
※ Application for academic background deliberation where it is difficult to prove academic background
- In addition, vaccination certificates and other documents required by the school should also be prepared.

4. High school admission procedures
Admission to high schools in Gyeonggi Province is divided into equalized and non-standardized areas depending on the region.

The equalization areas are Suwon City, Seongnam City, the Anyang Area (Anyang City, Gwacheon City, Gunpo City, Uiwang City), Bucheon City, Goyang City, Gwangmyeong City, Ansan City, Uijeongbu City, and Yongin City. Other areas are non-equalized areas. Schools are allocated through telephone calls with the responsible officials of the local education office and lottery management for each school district, while non-standardized areas require permission from the principal.

Required documents
• Transcripts for all foreign school grades (enrollment certificates, if necessary)
• Certificate of attendance (graduation) at the final school in Korea
• Copy of passport or immigration certificate
• Copy of resident registration for the entire family (current residence), excluding a copy of the resident registration for foreigners
• Vaccination certificate under Article 27 of the Infectious Diseases Prevention and Management Act

※ Detailed admission procedures may vary for each school, so please check the Gyeonggi Multicultural Education Support Center website and the relevant school for more precise information.

Check out the previous article for a list of international schools in Gyeonggi Province: https://bit.ly/3KkRRny