Frequently Asked Questions

Applications for admission to the 2023-2024 school year are open between Nov. 8, 2022 and Jan. 19, 2023. Foreign families relocating to Korea can apply throughout the year if a vacancy becomes available.

Vacancies are limited and dependent upon re-enrollment of current students. The possibility of opening additional sections in any grade will be determined by the number of eligible applicants and availability of teachers.

Students coming from schools with similar calendars as Chadwick International should apply to the subsequent grade level they have completed in that same school year (e.g. candidates completing Grade 5 in the United States in June 2023 should apply to Grade 6 for the 2023-2024 school year). Students coming from Korean schools must apply to the grade they will be starting within that same school year (e.g. candidates starting Grade 5 in Korean schools in the beginning of 2023 must apply to Grade 5 at Chadwick for the 2023-2024 school year).

However, make sure you follow the Grade/Age Eligibility Chart for the 2023-24 School Year below, particulary for applicants to Pre-K, K and Grade 1. 

At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, an exception to the grade/age eligibility requirements may be possible in special circumstances, based upon a thorough review of school records and the Chadwick admission assessments.

Admissions to Chadwick International is highly competitive. We look for students who have the greatest potential to succeed, make the most of their academic abilities and actively participate in varied opportunities outside of the classroom. Initially, the Admissions Committee considers the candidates' school records, teacher recommendations and other test scores. The student's character and integrity are also significant in our decision-making process, as are leadership, commitment and talents. Prior to our selection of a candidate, the Admissions Committee considers each student in the context of the applicant pool in order to bring together a balanced and diverse group of new students with the ability to thrive in our community, academically and personally.

Test scores are just one piece of the complete student profile. They provide us with a standardized measurement that is used in conjunction with all of the information gathered about the candidate. Given that our students come from various educational backgrounds, test scores are one way we can objectively assess our applicants. Students will also be evaluated through writing samples, individual interviews and group activities.

Yes. However, for students whose first language is not English, an ESOL Program is available only for a few grades in the Village School. The ESOL Department assists mainstream teachers with planning and offers teaching strategies most suited to such students.

At Chadwick International, many students speak English as their second or even third language. English is the primary language that we use when communicating with each other, both orally and in writing. We want all communication to be inclusive rather than exclusive, and the only way that we can guarantee inclusion is to speak in a language that everyone on campus can understand. Additionally, one of our goals as an international school is to improve student proficiency in English, which is best accomplished while being fully immersed in the language.

Keep in mind that all the admission assessments are administered in English, and due to the high volume of applications, spaces become very limited for students who lack proficiency in the English language. 

English as a Second Language (ESOL) teachers assist students by being present in English classes to answer questions and offer help when necessary. ESOL teachers will often co-teach with the mainstream teachers in order to address common areas of difficulty for students for whom English is not their mother tongue. In addition, English ll classes are also set up for students for whom an intensive push through the language barrier would be most beneficial. Enrollment in this extra English ll class for Grades 6 and up is determined at the time of admission and is further evaluated in the first few months of attending Chadwick.

Our school year includes approximately 180 school days beginning in mid-August and ending in the beginning of June. Holidays include Korean national holidays, such as Chuseok, Lunar New Year and Hangeul Day, as well as other international holidays, like spring break and winter break, etc. Please visit our website to view the current school year calendar.

School starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:35 p.m.  However, On Thursday, classes begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 3:35 p.m; this late start allows for faculty collaboration time.

Community programs (CICP) run from Monday to Friday after regular classes are finished. There are limited options for CICP classes on the weekends as well. 

Careful planning and recruitment strategy has resulted in a highly qualified and diverse faculty at Chadwick International. CI attends international education hiring fairs throughout the year in the USA, UK, Australia and Asia in search of the most highly qualified and motivated faculty who embrace our diverse campus environment and embody our Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Fairness and Compassion.  

With over 200 faculty members, representing 30 different countries, our teaching staff have an average of 10 years teaching experience. Our educators are fully certified with the majority holding a Masters or higher degree in their related fields of education.

The average class size is approximately 20 students. Our student to faculty ratio of 8:1 allows individual attention to the unique and specific abilities and needs of each student in a class.

No. Margaret Lee Chadwick, the founder of Chadwick School, our sister school in California, believed that choice of dress was a means of self-expression for students, so we do not have uniforms. However, we do have a dress code that requires that students dress appropriately for school. Students receive guidelines to assist them in making their choices about what to wear to school.

All basic classroom supplies are included in the cost of tuition. They will be provided by the school as needed. Each student will be required to bring their own iPad (Grades 1-3) or MacBook (Grades 4-12). We use Apple platforms based on our observations of best practices among international schools and our research on curricular integration. Families may purchase laptops for school use through our recommended vendor or from any another provider. If a student already has an Apple laptop our Technology Department can help to ensure it meets the minimum specifications for use in school. The school will provide required specifications upon enrollment.

View Chadwick International's PK-12 Homework Policy here.

Yes. Although English is the language of instruction at Chadwick International, we hope that our students will gain competence in a language other than English and/or their mother tongue. Students in Pre-K and Kindergarten take Korean language classes. Students in Grades 1-5 may select from Korean or Mandarin. Students in all other grades can choose from Korean, Mandarin or Spanish.

Founded in 1968, the IB curriculum is currently offered in over 3,000 schools in 148 countries around the world. The IB Organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. The curriculum aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. IB encourages a positive attitude to learning by encouraging students to ask challenging questions, to critically reflect, to develop research skills, to learn how to learn and to participate in community service. It also seeks to develop international-mindedness in students, by first developing an understanding of their own cultural and national identity. (Source: https://www.ibo.org/)

Chadwick International is an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) world school, offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in grade Pre-K - Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 6-10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) and the Career Programme (CP) in Grades 11 and 12.

Yes. Chadwick International Outdoor Education offers a K-12 progression. Age appropriate experiences and challenges will be incorporated at each grade level. Student experiences will build on previous learning and instructors will help students recognize the ways in which new learning applies to their lives at school and at home. For more information, please visit the Outdoor Education page.

The Upper School graduation requirements are:

1. Attain a total of 24 credits over the course of Grades 9-12.

2. Study a minimum of four courses at a Grade 12 level for the entirety of the year.

3. Meet the minimum requirements for each subject as follows:

• English: four credits
• Individuals & Society: three credits
• Mathematics: three credits
• Science: three credits (two credits of lab sciences)
• Global Language: two credits
• Arts: one credit
• Health & Physical Education: one credit
• Outdoor Education: participation for each year at Chadwick **
• Completion of Creativity Action and Service (CAS)
• Completion of Extended Essay (EE) or Senior Project

The above requirements are minimum levels of graduation, however in most cases to best support student entrance into college we would expect that students would attain four years of study in the core subject area of English, Individuals and Society, Mathematics and Science, more that two years of a Second Language and a minimum of two years of Arts and PE.

One credit is awarded each year for the full-time study of year long subjects in Grades 9-12 at Chadwick. Partial credits may be awarded for subjects that have less hours than a regular course of study such as Theory of Knowledge (ToK).

Yes. All students have access to a hot lunch plus salad bar, provided by one of Korea's most prestigious catering services for international schools. Students eat in either the Village School or Middle/Upper School cafeteria. Menus are posted to the school website and offer a choice of Korean, International, noodles and vegetarian meals each day. Students are welcome to bring their own lunch from home if preferred.  The CI Deli located in the MS/US cafeteria also offers a range of different drink and snack options throughout the school day. 

Yes. Extra-curricular activities are numerous, including a variety of clubs and athletic opportunities. The list of clubs and activities may change every quarter, depending on students' interests and instructors' availability. Chadwick International is a member of both the KAIAC and KISAC interscholastic leagues, and many of the activities and athletics available to students are based on these league activities.

Yes, busing is available for G1-G12 students, at a fee, to different parts of Seoul and Bundang. Pre-K and K students are not eligible for busing.

Yes. We welcome parent involvement in the school; this spirit of participation enhances our community and the experience of all involved, especially the students. All parents become members of the Chadwick International Parents Association (CIPA), which provides a myriad of opportunities to participate and to support the school's mission.

The CIPA is formed for the purpose of "giving assistance to the faculty and administration of the school, and carrying on activities generally intended to promote and support the school." CIPA relies on the richness and diversity of talent in the parent body: there is something for everyone! Please visit the CIPA webpage for more information.

Yearly tuition and fee information is available here. Paying tuition in two different currencies (KRW and USD) is a typical policy among international schools in Korea. In international schools, some expenses are made in dollars, such as salaries and global purchases, and others are done in Korean won. Having funds in both currencies facilitate transactions and minimize the risks of devaluation.

Yes. For students currently overseas, along with the application form and supporting documents, standardized tests (ISEE, SSAT) will be required.  After scores have been submitted to us, we will schedule virtual interviews with students and parents. 

Please contact the Admissions Office directly for the details on how to complete the application process from abroad.

Yes. Chadwick International has been designated as an accredited Foreign Educational Institution (FEI) since the founding of the school on September 7, 2010. The Relations Act stipulates that Korean nationals must attend weekly courses consisting of two hours per course in order to obtain a certification by the Korean Scholastic Credentials Recognition (KSCR) Program. Through the KSCR, Korean students at Chadwick International will not be required to take the Korean GED test, which is a prerequisite for admissions at Korean universities. Chadwick International received the very first authorization by the Ministry of Education to offer the KSCR on campus.

No. Foreign students are not required to take courses with KSCR. The KSCR applies to Korean students only.

All students who are newly enrolled at Chadwick International are regarded as 'newly enrolled students' regardless of their grade. However, students transferring to Chadwick International from Korean schools (excluding international schools in Korea that are not accredited for KSCR program) will be recorded as 'transfer' on the student's record from the previous school, according to the Ministry of Education (MOE) guidelines, revised in 2015.

Parents of newly enrolled students must correct the student's status on the previous schools’ records before entering Chadwick International according to Article 21 (the Enforcement Decree of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act).

The college acceptance list for Chadwick International students is available on the College Counseling page.