For expat families moving to Korea, the school choice often locks the neighborhood choice. The major international schools in Seoul are clustered in three areas β Yongsan/Hannam, Gangnam-Seocho, and the Bundang suburbs β and once you've picked the school, your housing options narrow to whatever's within a reasonable commute.
This guide walks through the major options: curriculum, location, tuition, admissions, and which neighborhood makes sense if your child attends each school.
This is not an exhaustive list β Seoul has more than two dozen schools with international curricula. We cover the eight that show up most often in expat-family conversations.
A note: HavenLens lists rentals across all the neighborhoods relevant to international school commutes β Yongsan, Hannam, Gangnam (especially Cheongdam, Apgujeong, Samseong), and Bundang. Our realtors help families short-list listings by school commute.
The schools that matter most for expat families
| School | Curriculum | Location | Neighborhoods to live in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul Foreign School (SFS) | American + IB | Yeonhui-dong (Seodaemun-gu) | Yeonhui, Seogyo, parts of Mapo |
| Korea International School (KIS) | American | Pangyo (KIS Pangyo) and Seoul (KIS Jeju-Seoul) | Bundang/Pangyo, southern Gangnam |
| Seoul International School (SIS) | American + AP | Seongnam (Bundang area, Gyeonggi-do) | Bundang, southeast Gangnam |
| Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS) | American | Hannam-dong (Yongsan-gu) | Hannam, Yongsan, Itaewon |
| Dwight School Seoul | IB | Daechi-dong (Gangnam-gu) | Daechi, Samseong, Cheongdam |
| Dulwich College Seoul | British + IB | Banpo (Seocho-gu) | Banpo, southwest Gangnam |
| Branksome Hall Asia | IB (girls only) | Jeju Island (residential) | Jeju (boarding) |
| Chadwick International | American + IB | Songdo (Incheon) | Songdo |
Below is a deeper walk-through of the eight, in roughly the order they show up most in Seoul-based expat-family decision-making.
Seoul Foreign School (SFS)
Curriculum: American (with IB Diploma in high school)
Location: Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu (northwestern Seoul)
Founded: 1912 β the oldest international school in Korea
Tuition (approximate, 2026): β©30β40M annually depending on grade
Student body: 1,400+ students from 50+ countries
What to know: SFS is one of the oldest and most established international schools in Korea, with a strong reputation among American and international diplomat families. The campus is large and well-equipped. Pre-K through grade 12.
Which neighborhoods: SFS sits in a less-trafficked part of Seoul (not Gangnam, not Itaewon). The natural residential neighborhoods for SFS families are Yeonhui-dong itself, parts of Seodaemun-gu, and the broader Seogyo/Hongdae/Mapo area.
Commute: From Itaewon to SFS, about 30β40 minutes by car. From Gangnam, 40β60 minutes. SFS families often choose to live nearby rather than commute from Gangnam.
Korea International School (KIS)
Curriculum: American (with strong AP program)
Location: KIS has two main campuses β KIS Pangyo (Bundang area, Gyeonggi-do) and KIS Jeju-Seoul (Seocho-gu, southern Gangnam)
Founded: 2006
Tuition (approximate, 2026): β©30β45M annually
Student body: 1,200+ students, majority Korean nationals plus international
What to know: KIS Pangyo is one of the most-applied-to international schools by Korean families and is the dominant choice for Pangyo-tech-corridor expats. KIS Jeju-Seoul (the smaller, newer campus in Seocho) has different demographics and a stronger international student mix. Both feed into the same network.
Which neighborhoods:
- KIS Pangyo: Bundang (Jeongja, Imae, Pangyo itself) is the obvious choice. Some families commute from southern Gangnam.
- KIS Jeju-Seoul: Seocho-gu (including Banpo, southern Gangnam areas).
Seoul International School (SIS)
Curriculum: American (AP-focused)
Location: Seongnam (Bundang area), Gyeonggi-do β about 30 minutes south of central Seoul
Founded: 1973
Tuition (approximate, 2026): β©30β40M annually
Student body: 1,200+ students, strong international mix
What to know: SIS has been the long-running American-curriculum standard in the Bundang area. Strong AP and university-prep program. Many corporate-expat families with multi-year postings choose SIS because of its established reputation and Bundang's family-suburban infrastructure.
Which neighborhoods: Bundang (especially Jeongja, Sunae, Imae) is the natural choice. Some southeast Gangnam (Daechi, southern Yeoksam) commute in. The Bundang Line and Shinbundang Line both serve the area.
Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS)
Curriculum: American (with strong arts and athletics)
Location: Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu (central Seoul, between Itaewon and the Han River)
Founded: 2006
Tuition (approximate, 2026): β©25β35M annually
Student body: 800+ students, international mix
What to know: YISS is the most central Seoul international school β within walking distance for some Hannam and Yongsan residents. The campus is smaller than SFS or KIS but well-located. Pre-K through grade 12.
Which neighborhoods: Hannam, Yongsan, and Itaewon are the natural residential choices. Many embassy and NGO families settle in this area specifically for YISS access.
Dwight School Seoul
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB) β the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP)
Location: Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu
Founded: 2012 (Dwight Seoul is part of the broader Dwight School global network)
Tuition (approximate, 2026): β©35β50M annually
Student body: 700+ students, majority Korean nationals plus international
What to know: Dwight is the IB-focused Gangnam option. Strong reputation among families pursuing IB Diploma university paths. Pre-K through grade 12.
Which neighborhoods: Daechi, Samseong, Cheongdam, Apgujeong β all within easy commute. Some families also live in southern Yeoksam or Banpo. Daechi specifically is right next to the school.
Dulwich College Seoul
Curriculum: English (British-style, with IB Diploma in upper years)
Location: Banpo, Seocho-gu (just southwest of Gangnam-gu)
Founded: 2010 (part of the Dulwich College International network)
Tuition (approximate, 2026): β©30β45M annually
Student body: 700+ students, international mix
What to know: Dulwich is the major British-curriculum option in Seoul. Strong arts, sports, and academic program. Pre-K through grade 12. Particularly popular with British, Australian, and Commonwealth expat families.
Which neighborhoods: Banpo, southwest Gangnam, Seocho are obvious. Some Apgujeong and Sinsa families commute in.
Branksome Hall Asia (Jeju)
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB), girls only
Location: Jeju Island (residential boarding school)
What to know: Not in Seoul β Branksome Hall is a boarding school in Jeju, part of a Korean-government-incentivized "Global Education City" initiative. Some expat families with daughters and Seoul-based work send their daughters to Branksome Hall and visit on weekends.
Why it appears in this list: Comes up in expat-family conversations as an alternative to Seoul-based schools for girls.
Chadwick International (Songdo)
Curriculum: American + IB
Location: Songdo, Incheon β about 60 minutes west of central Seoul
What to know: Chadwick International is the major international school in Songdo, near Incheon Airport. Some Seoul-based expat families relocate to Songdo for Chadwick; others commute from Seoul (long commute).
Why it appears: Comes up when expat families consider whether to live in Songdo (cheaper, family-friendly, modern planned city) vs. Seoul.
How to choose the school (and the neighborhood)
A rough decision framework for expat families:
| Your situation | Schools to consider | Neighborhoods |
|---|---|---|
| Tech work in Pangyo, kids need American curriculum | KIS Pangyo or SIS | Bundang (Jeongja, Imae, Pangyo) |
| Corporate work in Gangnam, kids need IB | Dwight Seoul, Dulwich Seoul | Daechi, Samseong, Banpo |
| Diplomat or NGO work, prefer central Seoul | YISS, SFS | Hannam, Yongsan, Yeonhui |
| British family preferring British curriculum | Dulwich Seoul | Banpo, southwest Gangnam |
| Multi-year corporate posting, established American curriculum | SIS or KIS | Bundang or Pangyo |
| Daughters, willing to consider boarding | Branksome Hall (Jeju) | (Jeju, with Seoul base) |
| Korean work near Incheon Airport | Chadwick (Songdo) | Songdo |
The school usually decides the neighborhood, not the other way around. Once you've shortlisted 1β2 schools, the housing search opens up only in the surrounding zones.
Tuition and admissions notes
Most major international schools in Seoul cost β©25β50M per year per child. This is comparable to international school tuition in Tokyo, Singapore, and Shanghai β not cheap, but not unusual for the market.
Admissions: most schools have admission tests (English ability, math) and interview components. Application timing matters β many schools admit primarily in spring (March intake, the Korean academic year) and have waitlists. Apply 6β12 months in advance for spring intake.
Employer support: many corporate-expat families have school tuition partly or fully covered by their employer's relocation package. Confirm with HR before committing to a school.
Waitlists: top-tier schools in Korea (SFS, KIS Pangyo, Dwight, Dulwich) have real waitlists, especially in popular grades. If you're set on a specific school, apply early.
TL;DR
- Seoul has eight major international schools expat families typically choose between, in three geographic clusters: Yongsan/Hannam, Gangnam-Seocho, Bundang/Pangyo.
- The school usually decides the neighborhood, not the other way around.
- Yongsan/Hannam: YISS, SFS (drive). Gangnam/Seocho: Dwight, Dulwich. Bundang/Pangyo: KIS Pangyo, SIS.
- Tuition: β©25β50M annually per child at the major schools.
- Apply 6β12 months early for spring (March) intake at top-tier schools.
- Confirm employer support for tuition before committing.
Common questions
What's the best international school in Seoul? There isn't a single "best" β it depends on curriculum preference (American vs IB vs British), location, and admissions outcome. Top-tier schools by reputation include Seoul Foreign School (SFS), Korea International School (KIS) Pangyo, Dwight, and Dulwich.
Where should I live if my child goes to YISS? Hannam, Yongsan, or Itaewon β all walking distance or short drive. Hannam is the most premium of the three, Itaewon the most affordable.
Where should I live if my child goes to KIS Pangyo? Bundang (especially Jeongja, Imae) is the natural choice. The Pangyo area itself has limited residential housing. Some families commute from southern Gangnam.
How much does international school cost in Seoul? β©25β50M per year per child at the major international schools. Tuition has been rising 3β5% annually in recent years. Most corporate relocation packages partially or fully cover tuition.
Do international schools in Seoul admit Korean students? Yes, with varying admission requirements. Many top-tier schools have student bodies that are 50%+ Korean nationals. For foreign children, admissions are typically easier than for Korean children.
Is the academic year in Korean international schools the same as the U.S.? Most American-curriculum schools in Korea follow the U.S. academic year (August/September start). Some follow the Korean academic year (March start). Check each school individually.
Where to go next
- Where families actually live in Seoul: Where Expats Actually Live in Seoul.
- The Gangnam neighborhoods relevant to Dwight, Dulwich, KIS Jeju-Seoul: Gangnam 5 Neighborhoods Compared.
- Commute logistics: Commuting in Gangnam.
- The total family budget: Cost of Living in Seoul for Expats.
If you'd like to compare family-sized verified rentals by school commute time β Hannam to YISS, Daechi to Dwight, Bundang to KIS Pangyo β the HavenLens search page shows commute times on every card.