Korea International School Jeju stands apart from the rest of this guide's Seoul coverage because it is not in Seoul at all: it is on Jeju Island, in the Jeju Global Education City, a planned schooling district in the south of the island. It is Korea's first international boarding school, a sister campus to KIS, and it suits families who want a boarding option or who are drawn to the island setting rather than the capital. This profile explains the curriculum, the boarding model and how to apply.
Korea International School Jeju (KIS Jeju) at a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | American college preparatory curriculum using AP and AERO standards, including AP Capstone; English medium |
| Stages | Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 (roughly ages 5 to 18), with boarding from Grade 6 |
| Founded | Founded in 2010 and opened in 2011 as part of the Jeju Global Education City |
| Accreditation | Sister campus to Korea International School and an affiliate of YBM. Confirm current accreditation directly with the school |
| Fee band | Premium band, with boarding fees on top of tuition for boarders |
| Campus area | Jeju Global Education City, Seogwipo, Jeju Island, not in Seoul |
Curriculum and academics
KIS Jeju teaches an American curriculum from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, standards based on AP and the American Education Reaches Out framework and planned using Understanding by Design. The high school runs Advanced Placement and was among the first schools in Korea to offer AP Capstone, the research and seminar route that sits alongside the subject AP courses, so able students can take a demanding, university facing senior programme.
This is an American programme rather than an IB World School, which matters because Jeju Global Education City is best known internationally for its mix of curricula, and several neighbouring schools follow other systems. Families specifically wanting the IB should compare the city's IB World Schools through our Seoul IB schools hub and the guide to IB schools in Seoul, since the choice between AP and the IB Diploma turns on how your child learns and where they want to study.
The distinctive feature of KIS Jeju is boarding from Grade 6, cared for by a dedicated team of overseas and Korean staff, with academic faculty providing pastoral support through advisory groups. That makes it a genuine option for families based outside Korea, or for parents in Seoul who want a boarding education without sending a child overseas, which is a different proposition from any day school in the capital.
Boarding plus tuition: model the full cost
Boarders pay tuition and boarding fees together. Use our fee tools to build the real annual figure before you weigh Jeju against a Seoul day school.
Korea International School Jeju (KIS Jeju) fees
KIS Jeju sits in the premium band, and for boarders the boarding fee is charged on top of tuition, so the full cost is meaningfully higher than for a day place. Our Seoul international school fees guide sets out how the premium tier works for day schools in the capital, and a boarding school adds the cost of accommodation, meals and care to that base. Read the school's published schedule in full, separating day and boarding fees, before you budget.
Beyond tuition and boarding, expect a registration or application fee, a deposit, and extras such as uniform, activities, trips and a device programme. Fees rise year on year, and a boarding stay across several years is a substantial commitment, so model the whole period rather than a single year and ask which costs are compulsory.
To compare a Jeju boarding budget with a Seoul day school, our fees guide groups the capital's schools into tiers, which gives a base for the day element before you add boarding. Ask the admissions office about sibling discounts and the full list of boarding charges.
Admissions
Entry follows the August start of the American school year, and the high school in particular runs a selective process: Advanced Placement participation, for example, depends on grade thresholds, teacher recommendations and summer preparation rather than open enrolment. Applicants are assessed on prior records, English readiness and, for boarders, suitability for boarding life.
Because boarding starts in Grade 6, families applying for the boarding programme should expect questions about independence and pastoral fit alongside the academic assessment. Gather recent reports, any test results and a clear picture of your child's English, and ask the school how it settles boarders joining from a different country or system.
Register interest as early as you can, since boarding places and popular year groups are limited. Confirm assessment dates, document requirements and the boarding application process directly with the admissions office for the coming intake.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in the Jeju Global Education City near Seogwipo, on the southern side of Jeju Island, a planned district built specifically to host international schools. This is a very different setting from a city day school: the island is known for its landscape and slower pace, and the education city groups several schools and student housing in one area, which shapes daily life around the campus rather than a wider metropolis.
The families who choose KIS Jeju include Korean and international households drawn to boarding, parents based overseas who want an American education in Korea, and families in Seoul who prefer boarding on the island to a day school in the capital. Relocating families should weigh the island location, the boarding model and the distance from the mainland against the convenience of a Seoul day school.
To compare KIS Jeju with day options in the capital and understand where it fits, start from the Seoul international schools hub and read across to the boarding and curriculum guides.
Korea International School Jeju (KIS Jeju) reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for Korea International School Jeju. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we have gathered enough verified first hand accounts to be fair to the school and to families. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
If your family has attended KIS Jeju we would value your view of the American programme, AP Capstone, the boarding experience and pastoral care, and value for money. Share it through our school reviews hub and we will add verified contributions here.
Frequently asked questions
What curriculum does KIS Jeju follow?
KIS Jeju teaches an American college preparatory curriculum using AP and AERO standards, including AP Capstone in the high school. It is an American school, not an IB World School. Instruction is in English.
Is KIS Jeju a boarding school?
Yes. KIS Jeju is described as Korea's first international boarding school, with full boarding from Grade 6, supported by a dedicated team of overseas and Korean boarding staff. Younger pupils attend as day students.
How much are KIS Jeju fees?
KIS Jeju sits in the premium band, and boarders pay a boarding fee on top of tuition, so the full cost is higher than a day place. Budget for tuition, boarding, a registration fee, a deposit and extras, and confirm the current schedule with the school.
Where is KIS Jeju?
It is on Jeju Island, in the Jeju Global Education City near Seogwipo, not in Seoul. It is a sister campus to Korea International School, whose main campus is in Pangyo near the capital.
When do KIS Jeju applications open?
The main intake aligns with the August start of the American academic year, with selective assessment in the high school. Apply early, especially for boarding places, and confirm dates with the admissions office.
