Education System
Education system in Korea
- The Korean education system consists of 6 years of elementary school, 3 years of middle school, 3 years of high school, and 4 years of college (2 years for junior college). 6 years of elementary school and 3 years of middle school are compulsory and free education is provided.
- Each school runs educational programs in two semesters each year. he first semester is from March 1 to the date set by the school principal in consideration of the number of school days, holidays, and curriculum, and the second semester is from the day following the end of the first semester to the end of February of the following year. Generally, the first semester starts in early March and the second semester starts in late August or early September. The elementary and secondary school curricula are divided into subjects and creative experiential activities.
Elementary schools in Korea
Elementary school education lasts for 6 years. Children start school on March 1 the year following the year when he/she turns 6 years old (Corresponding to 8 years old in Korean age. In Korea, you are a year old in the year you are born, and you turn two on January 1 of the following year. For example, a child born on December 31, 2016 will turn 2 on January 1, 2017.). However, they may be enrolled the year following the year they turn 5 or 7 years old. Elementary education is compulsory and free. Parents are obliged to enroll their children in elementary school and to allow them to attend until they graduate. If parents do not send their children to elementary school, they may be fined.
Middle schools in Korea
Middle school education lasts for 3 years. Students are assigned to middle schools based on a lottery system, according to their area of residence and school district. In the case of regions where there is difficulty commuting due to the distance and/or transportation, students are assigned to schools according to the school district specified by the Superintendent of Education. Middle school education is compulsory and free, just like elementary school education. Parents must enroll their children in middle school allow them to attend until they graduate. If parents do not send their children to middle school, they may be fined.
High schools in Korea
High school education lasts for 3 years. Those who have graduated from middle school or passed an equivalency test that recognizes their academic ability as being the same as those who graduated from middle school can enter high school. There are four types of high schools: general high schools, special-purpose high schools, specialized high schools, and autonomous high schools. The method of selecting students varies by city/province and school type. In order to alleviate the burden of educational expenses, free high school education (free entrance fee, tuition, school operation support fee, and textbooks) is currently provided to second- and third-year students, and this was expanded 2021 to include first-year students. This is not applicable to some private schools (autonomous private high schools, some special-purpose high schools, etc.) where the principal sets the entrance fee and tuition. However, students from families with financial hardships may receive financial aid or be eligible for reduced fees.