Yangyang High, the Only High School in Yangyang County, Draws Attention with Three Students Admitted to Seoul National University

A Remarkable Feat: Three Students Admitted to Seoul National University and Many to Other Prestigious Schools
Outstanding Achievements in Cycling, Employment, and More
The Miracle of 156 Students Captivates the Local Community

Yangyang High School, the only high school in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, is drawing significant attention in the local community after producing three successful applicants to Seoul National University for the 2026 academic year college entrance exam.

Yangyang High School logo. Provided by Yangyang County

With a total enrollment of 156 students, Yangyang High School also achieved notable results with four students admitted to Ewha Womans University, one to Chung-Ang University, one to the University of Seoul, one to Konkuk University, one to the College of Pharmacy at Kangwon National University, and two to colleges of education, among other major universities.

Additionally, the school's cycling team, which is recognized as one of the top high school cycling teams in the country and won five gold medals at the National Sports Festival, saw two students advance to Korea National Sport University and three join professional teams. In the vocational track, one student secured employment at the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, and another won a gold medal at the National Commercial Skills Competition.

This achievement is attributed to the students’ dedication and family support, combined with the school’s systematic college guidance, educational support from Yangyang County, institutional backing from the county council, active sponsorship from the alumni association, and ongoing scholarships and interest from the local community.

Teachers at Yangyang High School have provided dedicated support throughout the entire college entrance process, offering systematic guidance tailored to each student’s career path and learning progress. Yangyang County has also steadily supported improvements to the educational environment and learning conditions, with various policies such as the operation of the Seoul Yangyang Dormitory being credited as a foundation for these achievements.

Furthermore, the Yangyang County Council has contributed to creating conditions for organic communication and cooperation among the council, administration, and educational institutions by holding educational public hearings to broadly gather input from the field and by discussing ways to improve and expand educational support.

The alumni association has also backed current students by sponsoring learning programs, such as inviting lecturer Lee Jiyeong, and providing scholarships to help them focus on their studies. Support and encouragement from local businesses and residents through scholarships have also played a key role in boosting students’ confidence and motivation to learn.

Principal Son Wooyoung of Yangyang High School stated, "The true protagonists are the students who never gave up and worked hard until the end, as well as the families who supported them. With the encouragement and support of the community, our students were able to pursue even greater dreams."

Tak Dongsu, Deputy Governor of Yangyang County, remarked, "This achievement is a meaningful result brought about by the combined efforts of the school, alumni association, and community support. We will continue to strengthen the educational foundation in Yangyang so that local talent can nurture their dreams and grow, through ongoing cooperation with the school, alumni, and the local community."

Yangyang County has once again demonstrated the potential of community-based education through this accomplishment, drawing attention as a model case of an educational community built through the combined efforts of the county government, county council, school, alumni, and local residents.