Yongsan International School of Seoul
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$22K - US$26K
Curriculum: American
Age Range: 5-18
Students: ~1,000
Location: Yongsan, Seoul
Updated April 2026
In Brief
YISS is the best fit for Christian faith families wanting a large, community-focused American school with competitive sport and a central Seoul location. If Christian ethos is not a priority for your family, look first at SIS or Dwight before deciding.
Yongsan International School of Seoul sits on Itaewon-ro in the heart of the Yongsan district - a ten-minute walk from Itaewon station and within easy reach of the US military base, the embassies, and the dense expat housing of Hannam-dong and Bogwang-dong. With around 1,000 students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, it is one of the larger international schools in Seoul, and that size shows in the breadth of its co-curricular offer: a KAIAC sports programme spanning more than a dozen varsity sports, a full fine arts and drama calendar, and an active service-learning culture tied to the school's Christian ethos.
The curriculum is American with WASC and ACSI dual accreditation. WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) is a standard US regional accreditor carried by most reputable American-curriculum schools in Asia; ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) reflects the school's denominationally Christian foundation. The Christian faith dimension is genuine rather than nominal: chapel is part of the weekly programme, the school community is active in service work across Seoul, and families consistently note that the shared values create an unusually cohesive parent community. For families looking for that environment, YISS delivers it better than anywhere else in Seoul.
Fees for 2025-26 combine a KRW tuition base with a USD activity and technology fee. Elementary comes to roughly KRW 29.6M all-in; middle and high school to KRW 34.7M. New students pay a one-time Capital Development Fund of KRW 4.5M; returning families pay an annual renewal of KRW 1M. The fee level is mid-range for Seoul, and the Yongsan location means shorter commutes than Seongnam or Digital Media City for families in central and north Seoul.
What parents value
- –Large school of around 1,000 students with one of the widest extracurricular programmes in Seoul - KAIAC varsity sports across 12 disciplines, drama, music, and a high-profile service-learning programme.
- –Central Yongsan location (Itaewon-ro) makes it the most accessible major international school for families in Hannam-dong, Yongsan, Mapo, and central Seoul.
- –Strong faith community and clear Christian ethos - the most coherent option in Seoul for families where shared values matter as much as academic results.
Points of consideration
- –The Christian faith foundation is embedded in the school programme, not optional. If this is not a fit for your family, the school's culture and weekly schedule will feel misaligned regardless of the academic quality.
- –No published exam results data available at the time of writing. The school offers an American curriculum rather than IB, so ask admissions about university placement outcomes for recent graduates before comparing with IB schools.
- –The USD component in the fee structure means total cost moves with exchange rates. At 2026 rates the elementary all-in is roughly KRW 29.6M; a significant KRW depreciation would push that number up for families paid in KRW.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary (Kindergarten - Grade 5) | 5 | 19,662 |
| Middle School & High School (Grades 6-12) | 11 | 23,052 |
Fees converted from KRW. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (non-refundable) | 332 |
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | 665 |
| Capital Development Fund - new students (non-refundable) | 2,991 |
| Capital Development Fund - returning students (annual) | 665 |
Photos
Academic Results
Academic results have not been made publicly available by this school.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's age group.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Seoul's international schools serve a diverse mix of diplomatic, corporate, and locally-based families. Contact the school for current enrolment details.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school for details.