Thank You for your interest in Busan Foreign School.
Choosing the school that is right for your child and your family is by no means a simple task. We encourage you to take your time to get to know us. Our school’s website and Facebook pages are an excellent starting point.
The core of Busan Foreign School’s mission is to prepare students to enter the best colleges as responsible and active citizens. Our strong partnership with you allows us to achieve this in a caring and supportive environment. We succeed when students are creative problem solvers, lifelong learners, and effective communicators. So do the adults who work with them. Education is a continual process of refining who we are as individuals and how we relate to one another. Our school is always open for you to come in and share your hopes and concerns for our students.
Teachers impact student learning and success. Great teaching can inspire and sustain a student for many years, even a lifetime. Our caring and dedicated faculty create a true sense of community. They teach a rigorous American school curriculum based on the Common Core State Standards. This provides the foundation that prepares our students for American higher education. We strive for excellence and in every way our students succeed. (Please look at our impressive list of university acceptances.)
We offer a broad range of artistic, intellectual, and athletic activities. We find and develop every student’s unique talents. The strength of BFS lies in the diverse abilities of our faculty and students.
We look forward to working together for the social and academic success of our students. In collaboration, we will guide them to adapt, communicate and learn.
Description
Busan Foreign School opened its doors to the Busan community and its surrounding areas in October of 1996.
With only two students originally, it has since expanded to encompass early childhood to twelfth grade, currently educating over 240 students from 20 different nations. In addition to the increase in enrollment, the curriculum has developed into a highly rigorous American standards-based program that offers students a wide variety of courses and activities.
Located in the popular Haeundae New Town area, Busan Foreign School is situated among modern high rises, an array of Asian and western-style restaurants, scenic hiking trails, and the popular and picturesque Haeundae Beach. This neighborhood has seen continuous growth of foreign business and development since its inception and shows no sign of slowing down. Since Busan is the major port of South Korea, shipping and international trade are the major industries in the city.
Busan Foreign School stands out as the premier English-speaking school in Busan. BFS has been graduating high school seniors for over fifteen years and sending them abroad to some of the world's most prestigious universities and colleges. The graduating class of 2016 gained acceptances to over 48 colleges and universities — many of which were ranked among the top 200 universities in the world. BFS is fully accredited from Kindergarten to Grade 12 by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Other school affiliations include the East Asia Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS), the Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea (certification), Korean Council of Overseas Schools (KORCOS), American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea (EUCCK), National Honor Society (NHS), National Junior Honor Society, the National Association of Student Councils, and the Southern Korean Athletic Conference (SKAC).
Busan Foreign School offers all classes for students at any school-aged level. We have a full-day Early Childhood program for three and four-year-olds. We offer fully inclusive elementary classes in grades Kindergarten to Grade 5. In addition for middle and high school students, the school provides a variety of electives and core courses such as: AP Literature, AP Calculus, Physical Education/Health, Studio Art, Maker Space, Korean, Spanish, English Language Learner (ELL) centers, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Film Studies, Global Issues/MUN, Business, and Personal Finance, Band, Music History, and Choir.
Day school tuitionNo Information
Grades for day schoolPre-K/Reception - 12th Grade/Year 13
Scholarships AvailableYes
Number of Students250
Year founded1996
Boarding school tuitionNo Information
CurriculaAdvanced Placement, US National, Reggio Emilia Approach
Financial help and scholarships are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Admissions Information
Admissions Process
Thoroughly review this website: we hope the information contained within these pages will provide you with an insight into the curriculum and programs of our school
Contact us: If you are still in the inquiry/interest phase please contact us directly through our inquiry form.
Interview with the Director of Admissions: interviews are ideally conducted in person. Internet interviews are possible.
Submit all required documents: please see below for details. Required documents vary depending on which level the student is entering. All documents are to be submitted through the application portal (do not worry: the portal will guide you).
Level & Standardized testing: if necessary the candidate will have to sit for level testing and/or English language ability.
School notification of the admissions decision: after reviewing the documentation, the personal interview, level testing results (if necessary) and any other pertinent information the applicant will be informed of an admission’s decision within two weeks. The decision will fall into one of the following categories:
Acceptance
Conditional acceptance: family must agree to enroll the student in the ELL program or accept the requirement for additional support services (usually one-year probation time)
Wait-list (no seat available at current grade-level)
Rejection at this time (students may reapply after a one academic year waiting period)
Entry Requirements
Families who are interested in sending their dependents to Busan Foreign School must fall into one of the following categories of eligibility.
At least one parent must hold a foreign (non-Korean) citizenship
A dependent of Korean parents who has lived abroad for 3 years (1095 days).
Students can join after the academic year beginsYes
Waiting ListYes
Academics
Assigns homeworkYes
Use of technology in the classroomYes
Language of instructionEnglish
ELL supportYes
Teacher/Student ratio1:8
Learning supportYes
Native English teachersYes
Languages taughtEnglish
Number of teaching staff33
Examinations available
Teacher Qualifications
All teachers are certified in their grade level and content area in either the United States or Canada, except for foreign language teachers.
Learning Support
English Language Learners program.
Number of Teaching Staff
For 2021-22, BFS has thirty-three full time teachers. Seventeen teachers have master’s degrees. Two hold a doctorate. All teachers are certified in their grade level and content area in either the United States or Canada, except for foreign language teachers. Twenty four teachers are from the U.S.A., four are from Canada, three are from Korea, one from Switzerland, and one from Spain.
School Life
Bus serviceYes
Sports teams availableYes
Pastoral CareYes
Do students practice religion at the schoolNo
School start time8:30 am
School end time3:30 am (one hour later if the child participates in after-school activities)
Busan Foreign School realizes one of the most important decisions in a student’s life is choosing the right college or university. Over 95% of BFS graduates go on to post-secondary studies, the majority of which attend high-ranking universities in the United States. Busan Foreign School provides the guidance, tools, and opportunity for students and families to prepare to successfully enter some of the most competitive universities in the world.
The PSAT is provided to grades 8-11 at no charge
BFS is an SAT Testing Center open only to BFS students
We are visited by a variety of colleges and universities each year who introduce students to exciting opportunities abroad
BFS holds frequent parent and student seminars to provide guidance on the application process
Senior English is dedicated to assisting students with the college application process
High school students use Maialearning to help guide their university decision making
Busan Foreign School
Head of School
Lauren Harvey (EC&ES Principal) and Carl Brenneman (Upper School Principal)
