Pocheon Il High School to Launch 'Convergence-Type Public High School 2.0' in 2026
Operating a 'Career and Vocational Convergence Model' with the Local Community
Supporting Customized Student Growth through Living Lab and Four ON Programs
'Ecological and Global' Convergence Education... Breaking Down Barriers Between General and Specialized Tracks
Pocheon City in Gyeonggi Province announced on November 6 that Pocheon Il High School (Principal Han Yunho) has been selected as an 'Autonomous Public High School 2.0' (hereinafter referred to as 'Public High School 2.0') operation school and will begin full-scale implementation of an innovative curriculum starting from the 2026 academic year.
Pocheon Il High School in Pocheon City has been selected as an 'Autonomous Public High School 2.0' operation school and will begin full-scale operation of an innovative curriculum starting from the 2026 academic year. Provided by Pocheon City
Leveraging its status as a comprehensive high school, Pocheon Il High School will launch the slogan 'Switch ON (ON, 溫): Turning on Vocational Education at General High Schools' and, starting from the 2026 academic year, will operate a 'Career and Vocational Education Convergence Model' that combines individualized career planning with specialized vocational education for five years.
The designation as a Public High School 2.0 is drawing significant attention as an innovative attempt to address local educational challenges, such as a declining school-age population, a continuous increase in the proportion of students falling below basic academic standards over the past three years, and the worsening phenomenon of academic lethargy.
Breaking Down Barriers Between Tracks with the 'Hanultari Joint Curriculum'
The core of the Pocheon Il High School Public High School 2.0 model is the 'Hanultari Joint Curriculum,' which maximizes the strengths of a comprehensive high school where agricultural, commercial, and academic tracks coexist.
The curriculum eliminates the barriers between the general track and the specialized tracks (Food and Companion Animal Resources, Entrepreneurship Content, Smart Service Management), ensuring that starting with the 2026 incoming class, general track students can freely take specialized courses such as 'Biotechnology,' 'Marketing and Advertising,' 'Basics of Floral Arrangement,' and 'Introduction to Trade' as career elective subjects.
Through this approach, the school will provide all students with two specialized curricula: an eco-friendly curriculum (cultivating regionally engaged eco-practitioners) and a global communication curriculum (nurturing global citizens with entrepreneurial skills).
Pocheon Il High School in Pocheon City has been selected as an 'Autonomous Public High School 2.0' operation school and will begin full-scale operation of an innovative curriculum starting from the 2026 academic year. Photo by Pocheon City
'Living Lab' and Full Support from the Local Community
The specialized curriculum is organically linked to real-world experiences outside the classroom. Students participate in a three-stage growth track 'Living Lab' program: first year (basic exploration), second year (advanced design), and third year (convergent practice). The Living Lab is a student-led project-based learning model that focuses on applying acquired knowledge to solve real community problems.
In this process, key partner institutions such as Pocheon City Hall, the National Arboretum, and Daejin University will establish a robust cooperative framework. In particular, Pocheon City will provide comprehensive administrative and financial support by linking with the 'Educational Development Special Zone' pilot area to ensure the successful establishment of the school's innovative model. Through these efforts, the city aims to create a virtuous cycle model of public education innovation that fosters locally rooted talent.
Pocheon Il High School in Pocheon City has been selected as an 'Autonomous Public High School 2.0' operating school and will begin full-scale operation of an innovative curriculum starting from the 2026 academic year. Provided by Pocheon City
Supporting Customized Student Growth with the 'Switch ON (ON, 溫)' Program
To support students' multifaceted growth, four key initiatives will be implemented under the 'Switch ON (ON, 溫) Program.' These programs will be systematically operated during 'School Activity Leadership Time' every Friday during the 5th and 6th periods.
Character Development (Heart ON, 溫) supports students' emotional stability through gratitude journaling, activities fostering ecological sensitivity, and global citizenship awareness.
Academic Recovery (Grow ON, 溫) aims to overcome academic lethargy by operating 'Learning Transition Classes,' utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic assessments, and providing one-on-one mentoring with outstanding military personnel and local university students to help students regain basic academic skills and boost learning confidence.
Career Exploration (Light ON, 溫) strengthens student-led career planning by designing an integrated career roadmap from the first year (exploration phase) to the third year (implementation phase).
Digital Competency (Create ON, 溫) will be fostered through the 'Digital Learning Space (ON-Lab),' scheduled to open in 2026, serving as a hub for developing AI and digital literacy skills.
Pocheon Il High School in Pocheon City has been selected as an 'Autonomous Public High School 2.0' operation school and will begin full-scale operation of an innovative curriculum starting from the 2026 academic year. Provided by Pocheon City
Dormitory as a Hub and Returning Educational Value to the Community
Pocheon Il High School will transform its existing dormitory (Cheongseong Haksa) from a simple living space into a 'future-oriented educational hub' where career planning workshops, global cultural camps, counseling, and guidance are conducted.
Additionally, during school breaks, the school will operate the 'Pocheon Saenggeulsaenggeul (Ecological and Global Communication) Camp' as a residential program for middle school students in Pocheon, actively sharing best practices and achievements of Public High School 2.0 with the local community.
Meanwhile, for the 2026 academic year, 80% of the enrollment quota for new general track students will be filled through the 'Local Talent Development Admissions,' targeting students who reside in Pocheon and are expected to graduate from middle schools located in the city.
Principal Han Yunho of Pocheon Il High School stated, "Through the operation of Public High School 2.0, we will successfully establish a convergence model where career planning and vocational education meet. Overcoming challenges such as academic lethargy and regional limitations, and based on close cooperation with partner institutions such as Pocheon City, the National Arboretum, and Daejin University, all faculty and staff will do their utmost to support students in designing their own lives and growing into future talents alongside the community."
Pocheon City Mayor Baek Younghyeon remarked, "The designation of Pocheon Il High School as a Public High School 2.0 is a significant step toward educational innovation and talent development in the region. The city will provide active administrative and financial support in connection with the Educational Development Special Zone to ensure the school operates stably."
He added, "Pocheon City will be a strong partner in education so that this model can become an exemplary case for bridging educational gaps and nurturing future talent in the region."
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