General Admission 1.3:1, Up from Last Year (1.09:1)
Foreign Language High School Competition Rate Also Slightly Increased to 1.27:1
Three Schools Converted This Year... All to Convert to General High Schools by 2025
On the 9th, when the results of the operational performance evaluation (re-designation evaluation) of 13 autonomous private high schools (Jasago) in Seoul were announced, students were seen walking in front of Ewha Girls' High School in Seodaemun-gu, where the decision to cancel the Jasago status was made. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The average competition rate for admission applications to autonomous private high schools in Seoul recorded 1.3 to 1, showing a slight increase compared to last year.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced that from the 8th to the 10th, the competition rate for the 2022 academic year self-directed learning admission process for autonomous private high schools, international high schools, and foreign language high schools was 1.3 to 1 for the general admission track and 0.31 to 1 for the social integration track. This is based on 17 schools excluding Hana High School and three autonomous private high schools scheduled to convert to general high schools. Last year's competition rates were 1.09 to 1 for the general track and 0.29 to 1 for the social integration track.
By school, the general admission competition rates were highest in the following order: ▲Baejae High School 1.82 to 1 ▲Hyundai Girls' High School 1.73 to 1 ▲Sehwa High School 1.71 to 1 ▲Ewha Girls' High School 1.53 to 1 ▲Jungdong High School 1.49 to 1 ▲Yangjeong High School 1.47 to 1 ▲Hwimun High School 1.44 to 1 ▲Seondeok High School 1.41 to 1. Schools such as Kyunghee High School, Joongang High School, and Janghoon High School had fewer applicants than their quotas.
The competition rate for Hana High School was 2.14 to 1, higher than last year's 1.99 to 1, while the social integration track slightly decreased to 1.43 to 1 from last year's 1.55 to 1.
The admission competition rate for Seoul International High School was 1.66 to 1 for the general track and 1.13 to 1 for the social integration track. Last year's general track competition rate was 2.01 to 1, higher than this year, while the social integration track was 0.77 to 1, lower than this year.
The competition rate for six foreign language high schools in Seoul was 1.27 to 1 for the general track and 0.51 to 1 for the social integration track. Last year's rates were 1.25 to 1 and 0.57 to 1, respectively. The competition rates were highest in the order of Daewon Foreign Language High School, Da-il Foreign Language High School, and Myungduk Foreign Language High School.
The slight increase in competition rates for autonomous private high schools appears to reflect the expansion of regular admissions and the impact of the difficult college entrance exam. The Ministry of Education recommended raising the regular admission ratio to over 40% at major universities in Seoul through measures to strengthen fairness in college admissions. Under the judgment that this trend will continue until 2028, when the 2022 curriculum is implemented, parents seem to have considered autonomous private high schools advantageous for exam preparation.
Autonomous private high schools are converting to general high schools one after another ahead of the implementation of the high school credit system in 2025. This year, three schools?Dongseong High School, Hangaram High School, and Soongmoon High School?applied for conversion from autonomous private high schools. The reasons for conversion include difficulties in recruiting new students and a reduced need to maintain autonomous private high school status due to the implementation of the high school credit system. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education provides support funds for conversion to general high schools, which can also reduce tuition fees for current students.
From 2025, all autonomous private high schools will convert to general high schools. The Ministry of Education announced a 'Plan to Eliminate High School Hierarchy,' including the policy to convert autonomous private high schools, foreign language high schools, and international high schools to general high schools. The enforcement decree of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which deletes the legal status of autonomous private high schools, will also take effect from March 2025. Autonomous private high schools, autonomous public high schools, foreign language high schools, and international high schools will become general high schools, leaving only science high schools, arts and physical education high schools, and Meister high schools as specialized high schools.
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