Primary School Fees for International Students in Seoul 2026

Finding the right primary school in Seoul is one of the first and most important decisions facing expat families. The primary years — broadly ages 4 to 12 — set the academic and social foundation for everything that follows. Getting the school choice right from the start pays dividends for years.

This guide focuses specifically on primary-level fees and what families need to know when choosing an international primary school in Seoul.

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The Korean School System: Age and Year Groups

The Korean school system starts formal education at age 6 (Grade 1). International schools in Seoul typically offer:

• Early Childhood / Pre-K: Ages 3–5
• Kindergarten: Ages 5–6
• Elementary (Primary): Grades 1–6, ages 6–12

Most international schools in Seoul align their year group labels with either the American (Grade 1–6) or British (Year 1–6) system. Entry age requirements vary slightly — check each school’s specific age cut-off dates.

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Primary Fees at Seoul International Schools

School	Primary Age Range	Annual Fees (KRW)	Curriculum
Korea International School (KIS)	K–Grade 5	KRW 30M–38M	American
Seoul International School (SIS)	K–Grade 5	KRW 28M–35M	American
Dulwich College Seoul	Foundation–Year 6	KRW 25M–33M	British/IB PYP
Seoul Foreign School	Foundation–Year 6	KRW 24M–30M	British
Chadwick International	K–Grade 5	KRW 22M–28M	American/IB PYP
Dwight School Seoul	K–Grade 5	KRW 18M–26M	IB PYP
Seoul International Christian School	K–Grade 6	KRW 8M–12M	American
Korea Kent Foreign School	Reception–Year 6	KRW 10M–14M	British

Fees are indicative for 2025/2026. Always confirm directly with the school.

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What Primary Fees Typically Include

Most Seoul international school primary fees include:

• Core tuition and teaching
• Access to school facilities (library, sports, playground)
• Basic school supplies
• Standard parent-teacher communication

Usually extra:

• School bus
• Lunch programme
• After-school activities
• Uniform and PE kit
• School trips
• EAL (English as Additional Language) support if needed

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Key Considerations for Primary School Choice

Language of Instruction

All Seoul international primary schools teach in English. However, there are important differences in how second languages are handled:

• British curriculum schools (SFS, Dulwich, Korea Kent) often offer Korean as a second language alongside French or other European languages
• American curriculum schools typically offer Korean and sometimes Spanish or Mandarin
• IB PYP schools (Dulwich, Dwight, Chadwick) integrate a second language into the IB framework

If your child speaks Korean at home or you want strong Korean language development, look closely at how each school delivers its mother-tongue and second-language programmes.

Bilingual and Mother-Tongue Support

Seoul international schools generally offer limited mother-tongue support beyond English and Korean. Families whose children speak other languages as a first language (Japanese, French, German, Mandarin) should enquire specifically about available support.

The IB PYP framework explicitly values mother-tongue language development — IB primary schools tend to be more proactive about this than American curriculum schools.

Class Sizes

Primary class sizes at Seoul international schools typically range from 16–24 students. Budget schools may have slightly larger classes; premium schools often maintain smaller ratios, particularly in the early years.

Transition Support for New Arrivals

Most Seoul international schools have experience welcoming children who arrive mid-year or with limited English. Ask prospective schools specifically:

• Do you have a buddy programme for new students?
• Is EAL support included in fees or charged separately?
• How do you support children in their first term?

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Admissions for Primary Levels

Application Timing

Apply as early as possible. At KIS, SIS, and Dulwich Seoul, primary year groups — particularly Grades 1–3 — can have waitlists extending 12–18 months. Families should apply as soon as relocation is confirmed.

Mid-year entry (starting at a semester boundary) is sometimes easier to arrange and worth asking about if you are relocating outside the standard August/September start.

Assessments

Primary admissions in Seoul international schools typically involve:

• Application form and school transcripts (where relevant)
• Age-appropriate assessment in reading, writing, and mathematics
• Informal interview or observation session for very young children
• English language assessment for non-native speakers

Schools at the budget end of the market are generally less selective at primary level and more willing to accept applicants with limited prior schooling records.

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Early Years and Pre-K

For families with very young children (ages 3–5), several Seoul international schools offer early years programmes:

• Dulwich College Seoul: Foundation Stage (ages 3–5), IB PYP framework
• KIS and SIS: Pre-K and Kindergarten programmes
• EtonHouse-affiliated schools: Strong early years IB PYP focus

Early years fees are sometimes lower than primary fees at the same school — confirm directly.

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