Ministry of Education, Strengthening Inspections of Unapproved Educational Facilities… 'SJA Jeju', a Stable Educational Model, Gains Attention for Its Competitiveness

*This content was translated by AI.

Over the past few years, demand for unapproved international schools has surged significantly in Seoul Gangnam, southern Gyeonggi Province, and other areas due to practical reasons such as employment. According to an inspection conducted by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with all 17 regional offices of education nationwide from December last year through March this year, there are approximately 200 unapproved international schools and unregistered educational facilities across the country.

Along with the increase in the number of facilities, various problems arising from schools operating without government approval have come to light. As incidents of sudden school closures, opaque academic operations, and unverified teacher hiring occurred one after another, the Ministry of Education announced that it would impose concrete sanctions through comprehensive inspections. Unapproved international schools must either abandon their operation as 'schools' or convert into legally compliant educational institutions. The government also plans to amend laws to allow for additional legal measures if closure orders are violated.

On the 15th of this month, the Gwangju Southern Police Agency non-detained and transferred a 50-year-old director, A, on suspicion of operating a language institute that provided an educational curriculum effectively equivalent to that of an international school. As cases of substandard education and sudden closures at unapproved international schools continue to occur, parents' anxiety is growing.

With the crisis surrounding unapproved educational facilities, parents are increasingly turning their attention to officially approved international schools that ensure both safety and professionalism.

Currently, there are seven officially approved international schools in South Korea whose academic credentials are recognized nationwide: North London Collegiate School Jeju, Branksome Hall Asia, Korea International School Jeju, and Saint Johnsbury Academy Jeju (four in Jeju), as well as Chadwick Songdo International School, Calvin Manitoba International School, and Daegu International School.

Among them, Saint Johnsbury Academy Jeju (hereinafter SJA Jeju), an officially approved international school offering the U.S. curriculum and operating based on the authenticity of its parent institution in Vermont, USA, which is celebrating its ninth anniversary this year, is drawing attention. SJA Jeju has received not only official approval from the regional office of education but also accreditation from NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges), one of the most prestigious educational quality certification bodies in the United States. It is recognized for its stable educational model, including English immersion education, a boarding system, and transparent admission results.

A representative educational program at SJA Jeju is the 'Capstone (Capstone Intensive Learning Model)', an inquiry-based learning process that begins with selecting a topic of interest, proceeds through in-depth research and analysis to seek solutions, and concludes with the presentation of results. Through top-down, student-led classes, students are encouraged to ask as many questions as possible. In the process of asking and answering their own questions, students develop the ability to explore problems and find solutions.

The results of SJA Jeju's deep, authentic American-style inquiry-based education are reflected in students' university admission records. In 2025, approximately 96% of graduating students were admitted to prestigious global universities, including Ivy League schools such as Cornell, Dartmouth, Columbia, and Johns Hopkins. This year, approximately 70% of graduating students received admission notices from top-ranked universities within the top 40 globally, further demonstrating its unwavering educational competitiveness.

An official at SJA Jeju stated, "Due to recent controversies over substandard education at unapproved international schools, we have received a continuous stream of inquiries from many parents who are interested in international schools." The official added, "SJA Jeju is a verified environment and reliable educational facility with official approval from the regional office of education and international educational accreditation. It will serve as a foundation for students to grow into globally prepared talents by experiencing the joy of learning and the sense of accomplishment gained through that experience."

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*This content was translated by AI.