Dear Parents and Students:

As the principal of the English Section of Korean International School, I want to encourage all potential clients of the school who have accessed this message through the school webpage to give our school serious consideration as a place for your son or daughter. I believe strongly that what we have to offer equals or in most cases exceeds what is offered in other international schools both in terms of the quality of the programme of studies and the staff employed to deliver that programme.

I take pride and responsibility for what we offer as presently I am in the third academic year as the principal of the English Section and the large majority of our teaching and support staff have been hired by me and revisions to the curriculum have been done under my guidance. The introduction of a Cambridge-based programme of studies in Foundation year all the way to year 12 has been a goal we have achieved under my direction as well. With effect from this school year, year 12 students will take the Advanced International Certificate of Education which is challenging and respected by selective universities globally. As we continue to apply programmes of study that have been in place for a few years now, parents will be able to see online what a real standards-based curriculum and evaluation provides them in terms of access to real-time information on grades, homework and lesson plans. We understand that our clients – both parents and students – expect clear, recent and accurate information to enable them to work with the school to maximize learning progress.

The best assessment of a school – in my opinion – is to visit it and to talk with present clients. Korean International School has always relied on word-of-mouth recommendation and referral as its primary means of increasing its student numbers with ‘good’ students – defined generally as young people who know how to behave in a class and who want to learn.

I know we can successfully meet the expectations of expatriate families who call Hong Kong home and I would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss what you want from an international school. Please take the time to browse through the information provided by the links on our webpage and don’t hesitate to contact us if what we have to offer is what you want.

Principal's Special Message for Western parents

Dear Parents and Students:

Leaving a home country where many years have been used to learn about the structure and organization of education to come to a totally new environment is an ‘interesting’ experiment for any expatriate family. It is important that such parents applying to Korean International School [KIS] understand some of the differences that most likely exist when comparing what is being left behind in the home country to what is on offer at KIS. I would like to take some time to go into what my experience has informed me about those differences.

I am hoping that students and their parents come to Hong Kong with an interest in Asian-based education. It is no secret that many Asian societies value education highly and that recognition allows international schools operating in Asia with large numbers of Asian students to set a higher standard and to have increased expectations of all students. This should be welcome news for parents coming to Asia as the erosion that has persisted in many western systems of education because of the politicization of the process has not been as prevalent in Asia. Simply put, both the students and the school probably have to work a lot harder here than was the case in the home country. This requirement is the basis for much of the value that is added to education at Korean International School.

When students move from a less rigourous system to one that is more challenging, it is normal that there will be a period of adaptation. KIS staff is well aware of the lack of confidence many of our beginning clients have and we work together with parents and students to effect a transition that is less traumatic. But, we do not reduce our expectations or lower our standards – experience has taught us that most students can make the change to a system where there is homework and a real management [a.k.a. discipline] system in place school-wide. Students are adaptable and they can meet challenges, especially when the school recognizes the nature of the challenge and provides the support needed initially. Together with parents and students, KIS can and does assist students to become productive – defined here objectively as measured by external as well as internal assessment.

It is important for the clients of KIS to understand that like all international schools in Hong Kong we may feature a curriculum and evaluation developed and supported by a western country – Britain in our case – but we are an international school in Asia and we should reflect the greater work ethic and generally higher academic expectations that this part of the world has used in the last half century to forge ahead. There is much of value in the western system of education we market, but we have had to adapt to the increased demands of our regional clients and expatriate families coming to Hong Kong should view this as a positive opportunity for their children.

Dr. P. Leesinsky
English Section, Principal
July 27th 2009

Welcome to Korean International school

As principal of the Korean Section of Korean International School, I am very proud of the fact that KIS offers first-rate educational programs and a positive learning environment through which our students make considerable progress every year. Our goal is to help our students grow into global leaders with a global perspective, and develop a keen intelligence and communication ability.

KIS is proud of having good teachers who are not only experienced but also committed to teaching. KIS students and teachers have a very close bond. It is a one-on-one relationship where students are closely taken care of. As a result of this, KIS has a good reputation for remarkable academic achievement.

KIS has been struggling hard to upgrade its study programs in order to meet the expectations of our parents, who are eager for their kids' education. We have been successful in providing balanced study programs between the Korean national curriculum and intensive English education. For primary level, we are happy to have the English immersion system, two homeroom teachers who teach cooperatively in class. Therefore, students learn in a bilingual setting without sacrificing Korean subjects. We are focused on developing students' numeracy and literacy in both Korean and English.

In the middle school level, KIS students enjoy the benefits of two mixed systems. They study half of the subjects in the English section and the other half in the Korean section. This system enables our students to continue to develop their knowledge and skills harmoniously. We believe that they also benefit from the multi-national environment which can help them grow into well-rounded people through active interaction with multi-national students and teachers.

For high school level, we focus on academic achievement in terms of university entrance. KIS is well known for its excellent record of 100% university acceptance in Korea. KIS will make continuous efforts to maintain this tradition.

I would like to close by thanking all parents for their support and love towards KIS. I also encourage them to contact the school should there be any ideas, questions or concerns. We always entertain your good advice. I hope you visit the school webpage every day and monitor what is being done in KIS. We are trying to give KIS family members as much information as possible through our webpage.

Mrs. Oh Hee Seok
Principal
Korean Section