Busan Foreign School, K-12 English Based School, Busan

School Profile
Busan Foreign School is an international school with an American style educational philosophy and curriculum. Our mission is to inspire each learner by providing educational services that nurture their social, intellectual, emotional, and physical growth. Our students are prepared to enter top-tier universities worldwide as responsible, contributing citizens in a rapidly changing world. Our ongoing commitment to intercultural understanding and a strong partnership between students, parents/guardians, teachers and the community enable us to achieve this in a caring and supportive environment. Busan Foreign School has been fully WASC accredited (Pre-K-12th Grade) since 1998.

Busan Foreign School opened its doors in October of 1996. With only two grades originally, it has since expanded to encompass early childhood to twelfth grade, currently educating over 240 students from 25 different nations. In addition to the increase in enrollment, the curriculum has developed into a highly rigorous American standards-based program that offers students a wide variety of courses and activities. Busan Foreign School does provide additional student support services to try and best serve all student learning styles, however we are unable to provide comprehensive services to students with severe special needs.

Rigorous American Curriculum
Learning at BFS is on solid footing; “American Education Reaches Out (AERO”) and the USA based “Common Core State Standards Initiative” are our curriculum building blocks. In grades K-5 we have adopted Houghton Mifflin's "Literacy by Design” and “Eureka Math”, both highly effective, research-based programs. Additionally, at the high school level rigorous Advanced Placement courses in the humanities, math, and sciences challenge all students and are a part of an intense comprehensive intentional college prep curriculum. Busan Foreign School  was accepted in 2016 year to the AP Capstone Program, becoming the third school in Korea administering this Diploma.

“Understanding by Design” is the curriculum framework used by our certified teachers and all units of instruction are being archived in an online Rubicon Atlas curriculum mapping software. Teachers develop appropriate and engaging demonstrations of learning within each classroom and are supported by the school's experienced administration. The active and authentic student-centered instructional model is paired with educational best practice teaching techniques by our staff to ensure each student a world-class quality education.

Highly Qualified Faculty
Recruiting dynamic, highly qualified, licensed teachers is the key to our success. We actively seek teachers who know their subjects and how to teach them while providing a positive nurturing environment. To this end, administrators cast a wide net across the globe to find excellent teachers. We attend Recruitment Fairs, advertise and Skype interview from educators' professional organizations, and network through our many international connections. The result: a team of highly successful, dynamic teachers dedicated to serving BFS students and their families.

Top Tier University Acceptances
Year after year BFS graduates are accepted and receive scholarships to universities all over the world, many of which rank as top tier such as Johns Hopkins, Cornell University, Berkeley, UCLA, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Toronto, Rice University, Emory University, University of Hong Kong and the University of Virginia just to name a few.

Tight Community
BFS truly recognizes that the journey is as important as the destination.

Our students are encouraged to grow as responsible individuals, not only of their own private objectives but also focused on the needs of the entire school and wider community. Students will lead charity fundraising events, give their time to help other younger students through reading groups, or demonstrate leadership by organizing end to end events such as our school’s Founders Day.

Teachers do volunteer and advise after school activities such as Math Club, Model United Nations, Soccer, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Korean Language Club, Arts & Crafts, and many others.

The school’s Parent Teacher Support Organization meets monthly. The PTSO supports the school in its recreational and non recreational needs such as organizing fun events like Family BBQ Day, Valentine’s Bingo, monthly mothers’ luncheons and other activities that can bring parents, teachers and students together. The PTO is specially available and useful to families new to Busan who might need guidance in adapting to a new city, country and culture.

School Bus Service
The school operates buses in Busan as well as Ulsan. A late bus is also available for those students attending extra-curricular and residing in the Busan-Haeundae, Ulsan, and Jinhae district.

Hours
School hours are from 8.30am to 3.30pm. Extra-curricular activities take place after normal school hours.

Getting There
Located in the popular Haeundae New Town area, BFS is easily accessible via private or public transport. Its vicinity to the Ulsan express highway makes it ideal for daily Ulsan commuters.
(View the attached access map or click Google maps)
Landmarks: Yangun elementary school / Military base 53 division

Directions for Taxi Drivers:
부산외국인학교
부산광역시 해운대구
45 대천로 67번길
48117 우편번호
Tel. +82 (0)51-747-7199
경계표
양운 초등학교
53 사단