Taejon Christian International School

• Location: Daejeon, South Korea,
• Founded: 1958,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: blended.

Taejon Christian International School (TCIS) is one of the best international schools in South Korea, offering elementary, middle, and high school programs under the International Baccalaureate (IB) system. As a pioneer of the International Baccalaureate programs in the country, the institution is one of the few in the world to offer all three IB educational stages in the context of a Christian worldview. Each year, students differ not only in their studies, but also in athletics, art, and service to society. By combining educational best practices and religious affiliations, TCIS nurtures students who embody competence and caring.  

With a caring international faculty, TCIS offers children a Western-style education focused on STEM+Arts skills. International and local students choose TCIS due to its high-quality English-language education, comprehensive care of the staff and modern conditions for studying. 

TCIS provides elementary, middle, and high school students with an engaging, holistic experience, with students feeling part of a caring team of peers and mentors that motivates them to do better. TCIS fosters the growth of academics, character, global awareness and leadership through internationally accredited IB programmes: PYP, MYP, IB DP. 

Students from Daejeon, Seoul, China, North America, Europe, and other countries and cities join local students through a boarding care program, creating a dynamic and multicultural learning environment. TCIS students not only excel in their studies in school but also continue their academic journey in the best colleges, universities around the world.  TCIS prides itself on being the top choice for international families, building its reputation as one of the best international schools in Korea.

The educational process at TCIS presupposes academic, social values that are nurtured in each student.

Among the academics:

• Enhanced preparation for college,
• Differentiated instruction for all students,
• A comprehensive education that considers all spheres of life as connected,
• Strong learning skills due to a focus on the design cycle,
• A rich and varied extracurricular program that promotes learning, leadership through supportive activities,
• Reflection and discernment are key qualities for lifelong learning,
• A STEAM-based approach to learning as a means of preparing future-ready learners.

Social values are:

• Balance of health and self-actualization,
• The values of peace, respect, love, service, internationalism, which are essential to the life of the community,
• Thoughts of your personal faith,
• Open conversations conducted with respect (useful for academic learning and faith building),
• A global learning experience that teaches children to navigate cultures and communities.

TCIS has several academic departments, each of which deals with the education of students of a specific age group: kindergarten and elementary, middle, high school.

TCIS takes a holistic approach to Christian education, according to which it offers advanced educational practices and standards, a belief in love, peace, reconciliation, unity. Students learn that being a Christian means following Christ and His example of loving one another, despite the differences and shortcomings that often divide them.  However, the school does not require pupils to be Christians, encouraging any religion or lack thereof.  As a Christian school, TCIS expects students to:

• Respectful attitude towards all people in the community, their beliefs,
• Attending social events, showing respect for Christian rites,
• Actively contributing to the creation of a common atmosphere of peace, unity and acceptance.

Students are accommodated in five residences, in which some members of the school staff also live. The residential buildings can accommodate about 200 students, each with a capacity of up to 34 people.

Boarding students not only receive support from faculty and staff, but also have access to a variety of on-campus amenities that help meet their needs and make living in South Korea feel more like home. Apartments for teachers are located in each residence, and housing for educators is located in the central area of the campus.

The student rooms are spacious, offering beautiful views of the football field, the mountains, the local golf course. Most of the rooms are designed for double occupancy, they are equipped with beds, tables and several storage spaces; Students are provided with private bathrooms. The residential enclosures are gender-segregated and protected to ensure the privacy, comfort and safety of each child.

The residences have:

• Kitchenettes – with refrigerators, microwaves and other small appliances, to which all students have free access,
• Laundry – free laundry and drying in each residential unit,
• Recreation areas – living rooms with upholstered furniture, board games, TV,
• Study rooms – for self-study and homework,
• Dining rooms are located on the ground floors of the residences,
• Nurse's office – works every day near the boarding houses, providing assistance in case of injuries, pain, and useful consultations.

Pupils enjoy the convenience of living in an environment that provides them with a healthy range of opportunities and support. Life on campus makes it easy to connect with teachers and new friends, explore and engage in a wide variety of interests and activities. With the care and support of the dormitory staff, students learn to maintain a healthy balance of life and learning.  

Life in the residence goes according to a clear schedule:

• Students wake up in the morning, they have time to prepare for the school day. They tidy up their rooms every day before they go to class, 
• Breakfast is served every weekday morning in the dining room,
• Academic Studies,
• Extracurricular hours give students the opportunity to join sports teams, visit a fitness center, themed clubs, or spend time hanging out with their friends. Boarding students are provided with a shuttle service to local areas for shopping, dining, clinic visits, 
• Dinner – children enjoy hot meals every evening, the dining room stays open long enough to accommodate each pupil's schedule,
• Study Hall – A two-hour academic session is held each evening where students can focus on their studies and work in a relaxed atmosphere. During this time, Certified Resident Teacher Assistants offer weekly academic support for a specific subject,
• Initiations – each evening a short time is set aside to meet the whole "pasnionaire family", to sum up the day together and to keep abreast of upcoming events,
• Appetizers – served every weeknight,
• Blackout/Silence Time – Students have a "blackout" time based on their grades and academic performance. With a quiet time of 11:00 p.m. (10:30 p.m. for middle school), most students have the opportunity to continue their studies in their rooms, or get some rest. 

Each pupil receives three meals a day, prepared daily according to a balanced, healthy menu. If the student has dietary, medical needs, the kitchen staff will provide an alternative menu.

More than 45 extracurricular activities are implemented on the TCIS campus: sports, creativity, service to the community, hobbies and passions – all extracurricular clubs and communities focus on the all-round development of each student. Dozens of clubs reflect the main hobbies of TCIS students. Small groups of like-minded people do what they love, conducting research, creating projects, organizing performances. Some of the clubs are:

• 3D printing,
• The Alive in Christ Christian Fellowship is a place for conversations where students discuss how Jesus lived, engage in ministry, and inspire the community,
• Animal Rescue – raises awareness of current issues that threaten the lives of animals,
• Horticulture
• Girl Up Club – protects and supports girls from low-income children, highlights gender issues,
• GIVE Club pays great attention to charity,
• Korean Book Club,
• Mathematics – participation in mathematical Olympiads,
• Media Committee – responsible for digital media and the design of school events,
• Model UN – public speaking, development of critical thinking, collaboration skills,
• Art club – art of all kinds,
• Programming – learning Arduino/C++,
• Dances are all kinds of dances,
• Game Design is the study of video game programming.

The BOOST Extracurricular Development Program is a great opportunity to try a new hobby. Each student can take part in two activities every day, four days a week. The events include most of the clubs, as well as:

• Ballet
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Board games,
• Chess
• Baseball
• Chorus
• Cookery
• Fencing
• Golf
• Lego Club,
• Yoga
• Spanish
• Tennis,
• Soccer.

TCIS offers students the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports competitions through age-appropriate programs. The school participates in sports exchange programs with other international and military schools located locally, in Korea, in the Asia-Pacific region. As a member of the Asia-Pacific Conference on Activities (APAC), the Korea-American Conference on Interscholastic Activities (KAIAC),  TCIS  gives the opportunity to regularly compete on a balanced interscholastic sports team, which is an integral part of the students' educational experience.

Every year, pupils go on trips, the purpose of which is to transfer experience and religious traditions, get acquainted with other cultures, and serve society. Students will be able to visit India, the Philippines, Thailand and other countries.

• An IB accredited institution by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges of the United States,
• Three Phased International Baccalaureate Programs: Elementary, Middle, High School,
• More than 65 years of successful education for local and international students,
• Multinational student and teaching staff – more than 24 different countries, nations, cultures,
• Teaching is entirely in English, ESL language support programs are organized,
• Cooperation with ASCD, College Board, EARCOS, NACAC, IACAC, WIDA and other international organizations,
• Small class sizes range from 7 to 12 students.

The TCIS campus is located on a 10-acre green hill overlooking Daejeon's Techno Valley. With mountains and the Gapcheon River to the east, an orchard to the south, a golf course to the north, and the beautiful Techno Valley district to the west, the school sits in a place between cutting-edge research and Korea's beautiful natural scenery.  Techno Valley is a diverse neighborhood that is different from other parts of Daejeon. There are many businesses and services within walking distance that provide a safe and comfortable lifestyle for students and staff. The newly built Hyundai Shopping Plaza is a 10-minute walk from the campus and offers a variety of shops, restaurants, cafes and cinemas.  

The classrooms at TCIS are large and well equipped. Small academic groups, in which daily learning takes place, create an open and comfortable learning environment with a large number of opportunities. All parts of the campus have access to high-speed wireless network, classrooms are equipped with projectors, audio equipment.  

TCIS also has types of specialized classes designed to enhance the quality of instruction in specialized subjects:

• Scientific laboratories for research,
• Music and drama classes are specifically designed with space and acoustics in mind, providing the flexibility to participate in a wide variety of creative and hands-on activities,
• Art classes are open and full of light. Students have plenty of space and resources to create work in a wide variety of media,
• Technology classes are designed for the creative process. With production and safety equipment, students are involved in the entire design process: from idea to production, 
• The Center for the Performing Arts (PAC), a place for student performances, is an intricate structure centered around a large concert hall. This concert hall has a stage, a music pit, modern sound and lighting systems. The auditorium can accommodate about 500 people.   The hall is accompanied by a complex of rooms for working with costumes, make-up, hairstyles, decorations,
• The Learning Commons premises, sometimes referred to as the library, are a place for project work and reading.

The sports infrastructure of the school is as modern as the rest of its premises: outdoor areas include a football field with artificial turf and tennis courts. TCIS has two sports halls that can be used for sports competitions and physical education classes, one of them can accommodate up to 700 people during large social gatherings, competitions, events.   Next to the gyms there is a fully equipped fitness center, where lectures and practical classes on health and fitness are held. Equipped with a full range of aerobic and strength equipment, the fitness center is able to provide almost any individual wellness fitness program.

TCIS has two separate cafeterias that allow a large number of children to be served at the same time, providing the necessary separation between older and younger students during breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

The academic year at TCIS runs from mid-August to early June and consists of two semesters. The annual schedule includes weekly days off on Saturdays and Sundays, rest on national and international holidays, and vacations.

Academic classes are held on weekdays from morning to early evening, followed by campus events.

The following services are already included in the tuition fee:

• Standardized Testing (ISA, PSAT, MYP e-assessments, IB DP exams),
• Tutorials
• Basic consumables for science, fine arts, theater and other areas,
• Internet access at school, residence,
• Support for special needs,
• Themed Clubs, Campus Events,
• Domestic Transportation, Sports Uniforms,
• Local service capabilities.

An approximate list of additional costs:

• Application Fee,
• Registration fee,
• Capital Fee,
• EAL Extracurricular Activities,
• Lunches
• School Bus,
• Accommodation in a guesthouse,
• Personal spending.

Step-by-step process for admission to TCIS:

• Eligibility Check: "Exit and Entry Certificate" from a Korean government agency, Report card showing 6 semesters of study abroad, Overseas passports and registration cards of foreigners,
• Filling out a questionnaire form, after sending which the admissions officer will contact the candidates,
• Payment of the application fee,
• Passing tests in English and mathematics, interviews,
• Sending documents,
• Receiving an admission decision within two weeks,
• Arrival at the campus, accommodation in the residence and the beginning of education.

TCIS processes applications as they become available. To ensure that the admissions process is completed on time and begins their studies on the first day of the fall or spring semester, applicants should comply with the following application deadlines:

• until May 1 — the start of classes on the first day of the fall semester,
• until December 1 — the start of classes on the first day of the spring semester,

Late applications may be accepted, subject to availability.

Enrollment of new students takes place as applications are received and vacant places in classes are filled.

High-quality knowledge, a wide range of skills, and the development of personal interests help students continue their academic path at top universities around the world. In previous years, high school students entered higher education institutions in the UK, Australia, Canada, China and continental Europe.

TCIS enrolls students from 4 to 18 years old, that is, from kindergarten to 12th grade. New students can live in the Daejeon area with their parents or use the school's residence, which is open to students in grades 6-12. Candidates of any nationality and religion can apply.

TCIS accepts highly motivated applicants based on verification of the following factors:

• Entrance exam results: English, Writing, Mathematics (Grade 3 and above),
• Interview
• Teacher Recommendations and School Reports,
• Transcripts, standardized test results,
• Availability of priority seats.

English proficiency requirements vary depending on the level of study.

Foreign candidates need to provide personal documents: passport, health insurance, visa or residence permit. All documents must be translated into English and certified.

TCIS is committed to encouraging academic excellence, competitiveness, and all-round educational excellence by providing merit scholarships to deserving high school students entering grades 10, 11, and 12. The school is committed to supporting the admission of deserving students from TCIS to leading colleges, universities.

The TCIS BOT Merit Scholarship is a conditional annual award given to deserving applicants: it is awarded on the basis of outstanding results in studies, extracurricular activities, portfolio.

Families with multiple children who wish to study at TCIS at the same time are offered a 20% discount on tuition fees. A waiver discount is available to those who apply to start the fall semester by February 16.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision