In Korea, every child has the right to education regardless of nationality or immigration status. Children from refugee and migrant families can enroll in Korean public schools, so please do not be afraid to send your child to school. This guide walks you through the Korean school system, how to enroll, and what after-school support is available.

The Korean School System

Academic Calendar

Korean schools operate on a two-semester schedule each year.

PeriodDetails
1 MarchFirst semester begins
Mid-July to late AugustSummer vacation
Late August to early SeptemberSecond semester begins
Late December to late FebruaryWinter vacation

This schedule applies equally to elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.

School Levels

The Korean education system is structured as follows.

  • Elementary school: 6 years (starting at age 6)
  • Middle school: 3 years
  • High school: 3 years
  • University: 4 years (junior colleges are 2 to 3 years)

Enrolling in Elementary School

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1. Find your school zone

    Contact your local community center (주민센터, jumin senteo) or a nearby school to find out which elementary school your child is assigned to based on your home address.

  2. 2. Prepare documents

    Gather proof of residence and any documents showing your child's prior schooling (if available).

  3. 3. Visit the school to apply

    Submit an enrollment application to the principal of the elementary school in your school zone.

  4. 4. Receive placement notification

    The school will inform you whether enrollment is possible and which grade your child will be placed in.

  5. 5. Enroll and connect to Korean language support

    After enrollment, your child will be linked to a Korean as a Second Language (KSL) class or a multicultural support program at the school if needed.

Children Who Have Been Living in Korea

If your child turns 6 years old, an enrollment notice will be sent to your home address around December each year. Visit the assigned elementary school on the preliminary gathering date shown in the notice, and your child will start school in March.

Children Who Have Recently Arrived in Korea

Even if you did not receive a notice, please do not worry. Korea guarantees the right to elementary school enrollment for every child of school age, regardless of nationality or immigration status.

Required Documents

Please prepare the two types of documents below and submit an enrollment application to the principal of the elementary school in your school zone (the school district based on your address).

  1. Proof of residence

    • Certificate of entry and exit records, or certificate of alien registration
    • If those are difficult to obtain, you may substitute other documents that confirm your residence, such as a lease agreement or a written statement from a neighbor confirming that you live at the address.

  2. Documents proving prior schooling (if available)

    • Graduation certificate, enrollment certificate, academic transcript, etc.

Need more detailed guidance?

The Ministry of Education has produced a booklet called “Sending Our Children to School” for parents of multicultural families, available in Korean and multiple other languages. You can download the latest 2025 edition for free from the Multicultural Education Portal (edu4mc.or.kr), or ask your nearest Multicultural Family Support Center. Before applying, please check for the latest information by calling 1345 (Immigration Contact Center) or visiting your local Korea Immigration Service office.

Children Who Attended School Abroad

If your child attended school in another country before coming to Korea, enrollment and transfer procedures follow each school’s own rules. Children who are undocumented (without a registered immigration status) may still attend elementary school and middle school.

If your child has limited Korean after enrolling, you can request free Korean as a Second Language (KSL) classes offered within the school. Ask your child’s homeroom teacher or the local education office.

Required Documents

You can visit your local education office (교육청) for guidance on which school your child should attend. Please prepare the following documents before your visit.

  • Academic transcript for the most recent school year, issued by the principal of the school your child attended abroad
  • Enrollment certificate and family relationship documents issued by your home country’s government (equivalent to a family register extract)
  • Proof of residence in Korea
  • Alien Registration Card (one original and one copy)

How Overseas Education is Recognized

The grade your child completed abroad will be matched to a Korean grade level using the following criteria. Even if the school system in your home country is different from Korea’s, the grade placement will be based on these guidelines.

Grade completed abroadKorean placement
Grades 1 to 6Elementary school
Grades 7 to 9Middle school
Grades 10 to 12High school

After-School Care and Educational Support

Recognized refugees and their children are eligible for the after-school care and education services listed below. If your family has a low income or both parents work, you may be able to use these services free of charge after a consultation, so please do inquire. For financial support such as child allowances and childcare subsidies, please also refer to our childcare support guide.

ProgramMain Details
After-School Program / Elementary Care ClassroomCare after school hours, homework help, and activities provided within the school
Community Child Center (지역아동센터)Comprehensive welfare services for children under 18, open five days a week
Youth After-School AcademyLearning and activity support for upper elementary students (grades 4 to 6) and middle school students
Together Care Center (다함께돌봄센터)Community-based after-school care for elementary-age children
After-School Childcare (through daycare centers)After-school care provided through childcare facilities

You can apply online through the All-Day Care One-Stop Service (oni.gov.kr), or visit your local community center (읍·면·동 행정복지센터) or the relevant program directly to apply in person. Eligibility and support amounts may change over time, so please confirm the latest information with 1345 or your local Korea Immigration Service office before applying.

Dealing with School Bullying

If your child is experiencing violence or bullying at school, you can get help through the following:

  • Call 117: This is the dedicated reporting and counseling line for school violence. It operates 24 hours a day, and you can also report by text message, through the 117chat app, or online.
  • It is also important to inform your child’s homeroom teacher or school counselor directly.
  • Every school has a designated teacher responsible for school violence who will follow the proper procedures when an incident occurs.
  • If you need support in a language other than Korean, please refer to our guide on reporting school violence in Korea and foreign-language counseling resources.

Foreign National Schools and International Schools

Korea has foreign schools and international schools that follow overseas curricula. These schools are primarily for students with foreign nationality, and admission requirements and tuition fees vary by school. If you are interested, contact the school directly or ask your local education office for guidance.

Figures, deadlines, and document requirements may change over time. Before applying, please always confirm the latest information with 1345 (Immigration Contact Center) or your local Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea, hikorea.go.kr).