International Middle School Hits Record High Competition Rate in 16 Years... "Because 'I School' Is Said to Be Advantageous for Admission"

High Demand for Specialized and Autonomous Private High Schools Due to Admission Advantages

The competition rate for the four international middle schools nationwide for the 2025 academic year reached a record high of 18 to 1. It is analyzed that the number of applicants hoping to enter these high schools has increased due to the high rate of international middle school students advancing to special-purpose high schools and autonomous private high schools (Jasago).

Yeonghun International Middle School. [Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 10th, Jongno Academy analyzed the competition rates for the 2025 academic year of four out of five international middle schools nationwide (Daewon, Yeonghun, Cheongshim, and Busan International Middle Schools), revealing that a total of 8,597 students applied, recording an average of 17.9 to 1. All four schools showed the highest competition rates in 16 years since their establishment in 2009. The number of applicants increased by 1,136 (15.2%) compared to last year, and the competition rate also rose from 15.5 to 1.

In particular, Daewon International Middle School had the highest competition rate at 23.8 to 1, followed by ▲Busan International Middle School at 22 to 1 ▲Gyeonggi Cheongshim International Middle School at 18.4 to 1 ▲Seoul Yeonghun International Middle School at 10.2 to 1. Seonin International Middle School in Jinju, Gyeongnam, did not disclose its admission results.

International middle schools mainly attract top-ranking students and select students through a lottery system. Classes are conducted in English, and the rate of students advancing to special-purpose and autonomous private high schools is also high. According to the 2023 academic year public data, among the five international middle schools, the advancement rate to special-purpose and autonomous private high schools is 65.2% in total, including 37.2% to foreign language and international high schools, 24.7% to autonomous private high schools, and 3.4% to science high schools.

Currently, middle school grades are evaluated on an absolute scale, and it is known that there is no disadvantage in high school admissions competition regardless of whether students attend international or general middle schools. For this reason, it is interpreted that more students are choosing international middle schools to achieve high scores and advance to special-purpose and autonomous private high schools. Based on the first semester of the third grade in middle school for the 2024 academic year, the average proportion of students with an A grade (90 points or above) in school exams at the five international middle schools nationwide was between 60% and 80%. Compared to the average A grade rate of 20% to 30% in general middle schools during the same period, this is a significantly higher level.

Im Seong-ho, CEO of Jongno Academy, explained, "Looking at the 2028 academic year admission policy, the burden of high school internal grades will be eased, and the importance of the CSAT will be strengthened, which may increase demand for special-purpose and autonomous private high schools." He added, "Since it can be advantageous for advancing to special-purpose and autonomous private high schools, it seems that the preference for international middle schools is increasing."