Frequently Asked Questions

Applications for the 2027–2028 school year open on November 2, 2026, with a deadline of 12 p.m. on January 19, 2027.

Are you an international family relocating from abroad? We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year for international families, as seats become available.

Because our student body remains very consistent, openings per grade are limited. Exact admissions capacity changes each year depending on re-enrollment, so we determine available spots once returning student numbers are confirmed in March of each year.

Students coming from schools with similar calendars to that of Chadwick International should apply to the next grade level in that same school year (e.g., candidates completing Grade 5 in the United States in June 2027 should apply to Grade 6 for the 2027–2028 school year). Students coming from Korean schools must apply to the grade they will be entering in that same school year (e.g., candidates starting Grade 5 in Korean schools at the beginning of 2027 must apply to Grade 5 at Chadwick for the 2027–2028 school year).

However, make sure you follow the Grade/Age Eligibility Chart for the 2027–2028 School Year below, particularly 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 admissions assessments.

Admission to Chadwick International is competitive. We look for curious, active learners who will thrive in our classrooms and contribute meaningfully to life outside them.

Our Admissions Committee evaluates every candidate holistically. While school records, teacher recommendations, and test scores provide insight into academic potential, character and integrity matter just as much to us. Because seat availability varies by grade, each student is considered within the context of that year’s applicant pool as we work to bring together a well-balanced, vibrant cohort of learners who enrich our entire community.

Standardized test scores are just one part of a student’s complete profile. Because our applicants join us from diverse educational backgrounds, test results provide a consistent benchmark—always evaluated alongside transcripts, teacher recommendations, and personal achievements.

To understand each child as a whole person, our assessment process also includes interactive components—such as group activities or individual student interviews—depending on the specific grade level your child is applying to.

Yes. If you are currently living overseas, our Admissions team is here to help make your application process as smooth as possible. Please reach out to us directly to receive the specific application and assessment requirements for your child's grade level.

Our English as an Additional Language (EAL) team works with students across Grades 1–12 to help them build language proficiency to thrive in our IB curriculum. EAL specialists partner directly with classroom teachers and specialists—providing co-teaching, targeted literacy support, and tailored language strategies across subject areas. Through this collaborative approach, we ensure every student gains the academic confidence, analytical tools, and communication skills needed to succeed during their Chadwick journey.

Yes! Although English is the primary language of instruction at Chadwick, we encourage every student to develop fluency in a second or native language.

Starting in Grades 1–5, families can choose between Korean or Mandarin. In Grades 6–12, our world language offerings expand to include Korean, Mandarin, or Spanish.

Founded in 1968, the IB Organization currently offers its curriculum in over 5,000 schools 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 promotes a positive attitude toward 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 Pre-K–Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 6–10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 and 12.

Yes—Outdoor Education (OE) is a cornerstone of the Chadwick experience from Pre-K through Grade 12, as it is at our sister school in California.

As the first school in Korea accredited by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE), our program goes far beyond traditional field trips. Starting with nature exploration in Pre-K, students progress to multi-day kayaking, biking, hiking, and wilderness backpacking expeditions in the upper grades. 

Guided by certified wilderness educators, students build self-reliance, leadership, and resilience—transferring the problem-solving skills they learn in nature directly back into their classrooms and daily lives.

For more information, please visit the Outdoor Education page.

All students who graduate from Chadwick International will receive a Chadwick Diploma, which is a U.S.-accredited high school diploma.  In Grades 9–12, one credit per course is awarded each year for the full-time study of a subject when a final grade of 3 or above on the 1 to 7 scale is achieved.

Chadwick International High School graduation requirements are:

1. Attain a total of 22 credits throughout Grades 9–12.

2. The required subjects and minimum credits are:

•   English: 4 credits
•   Individuals and Societies: 3 credits
•   Mathematics: 3 credits
•   Sciences: 3 credits
•   Global Languages: 2 credits
•   Arts: 1 credit
•   Physical and Health Education: 1 credit
•   Electives: 5 credits

3. Complete a minimum of four courses in Grade 12 for the entirety of the school year.

4. The following components must also be completed:

• Outdoor Education: Participation in Outdoor Education each year of Upper School at Chadwick International
• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
• Extended Essay in the IB DP or the CI Senior Project in the Chadwick International High School Diploma Program. 

More information is available on the CI curriculum resource page.

Yes. Extracurricular 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.

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. 

After-school Activities (ASAs) provide additional opportunities for Middle School students to explore and develop their personal interests.

To explore where our graduates continue their academic journeys, view our complete university acceptance list on the College Counseling page.

Yes. Chadwick International has been designated as an accredited Foreign Educational Institution (FEI) since the school was founded on September 7, 2010. The Relations Act stipulates that Korean nationals must attend weekly two-hour courses in order to obtain certification through 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 admission to Korean universities. Chadwick International received the first authorization from the Ministry of Education to offer the KSCR on campus.

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

Yes. While English is the primary language of instruction across our campus to ensure an inclusive learning environment, Chadwick supports multilingual learners through our EAL program in Grades 1–10.

Because all admissions assessments are administered in English and classroom instruction requires active participation, language proficiency expectations increase by grade level:

• Elementary & Middle School: EAL support is available for students building foundational and academic English skills. During the application process for Grades 6 through 8, we hope to see a WIDA score of 2.0. 

• High School Entry (Grades 9–12): Applicants must demonstrate strong independent English proficiency, requiring a minimum WIDA score of 3.0 on the entry assessment to ensure they can successfully access the high school curriculum and IB Diploma coursework.

Our school year includes approximately 180 school days, beginning in mid-August and ending in early June. Holidays include Korean national holidays, as well as other breaks such as spring break and winter break. Please view our current school year calendar.

Our gates open each day at 8:00 a.m. to welcome our students. The school day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:35 p.m.

However, on Thursdays, classes begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at the regularly scheduled time; this late start allows time for faculty collaboration and gives our students a later start to support their well-being.

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. 

Our average class size of 20 students and a low 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensure that every learner receives dedicated, individual attention.

No. Margaret Lee Chadwick, founder of our sister school in California, believed that clothing was a meaningful form of self-expression, so we do not have uniforms. However, we do maintain a dress code that requires students to dress appropriately for an active learning environment. Students receive clear guidelines each year to help them make thoughtful choices about their school attire.

Classroom Supplies & Student Technology

The school provides all basic classroom supplies as needed, and these are included in the cost of tuition.

To support our 1:1 learning environment, students are required to bring their own Apple device:

• Grades 1–3: iPad

• Grades 4–12: MacBook

We utilize Apple platforms based on educational research and best practices among leading international schools. Families may purchase devices through our recommended vendor or from any other provider. If your child already owns an Apple device, our Technology Department can ensure it meets our minimum specifications, which are shared upon enrollment.

Daily Snacks (Pre-K – Grade 5)

Village School students have dedicated snack times during the day, and families are asked to send them to school with healthy daily snacks.

Cafeteria: Yes. All students can enjoy hot lunch and a salad bar provided by one of the well-known catering services specializing in international schools in Korea. Students have lunch at either the Village School or Middle/Upper School cafeteria. Menus can be checked on Veracross and the Meal Care app.

The Village School cafeteria offers a mix of Korean and international dishes, as well as lunchbox options. The Middle/Upper School cafeteria offers a variety of options, including Korean, international, one-dish meals, vegetarian, DIY salad, and salad bar selections.

Students may also bring lunch from home if they prefer.

The CI Deli, located in the Middle/Upper School cafeteria, offers a variety of drinks and snack options for middle and upper school students.

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.

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.

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).

If the Previous School has changed, please contact the Chadwick International External Affairs Team at 032-250-5049.

A deliberate recruitment and planning strategy has created a highly qualified and diverse faculty at Chadwick International. Throughout the year, CI recruits at premier international education fairs across the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Asia to find exceptional educators who embrace our vibrant campus environment and embody our Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Fairness, and Compassion.

Representing 29 countries, our 200+ faculty members bring an average of 14 years of teaching experience to the classroom. All Chadwick educators are fully certified, with the majority holding a master’s degree or higher in their field.