Prestigious 140-Year-Old U.S. Private School "Annie Wright School" to Establish Campus in Pyeongtaek

Pyeongtaek Signs MOA for Establishment and Operation of International School
City to Construct Buildings; School to Lease and Operate Facilities

The establishment of "Annie Wright School Pyeongtaek," an international school branch of the prestigious American private institution Annie Wright Schools, which boasts a 140-year tradition, has entered full swing.

At the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony for the establishment of "Annie Wright School Pyeongtaek" held on the 15th at Pyeongtaek Art Center, Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jang-sun (left) and David Overton, Chairman of the Annie Wright School Board, are holding up the agreement. Provided by Pyeongtaek City

On January 15, the city of Pyeongtaek signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Annie Wright Schools at the Pyeongtaek Art Center for the establishment and operation of the international school. The MOA is a contract that defines the rights and obligations of the parties involved. Unlike a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is a non-binding document confirming the intention to cooperate, the MOA has binding force as it specifies concrete conditions and responsibilities.

Annie Wright Schools, founded in 1884, is a private school located in Tacoma, Washington, USA, offering an integrated curriculum from kindergarten through high school. The school operates a curriculum that combines its own educational program with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, with a core educational philosophy centered on small classes, discussion-based learning, and holistic education.

The new international school will be named "Annie Wright School Pyeongtaek." Approximately 200 billion won will be invested in the school's establishment. Of this, Pyeongtaek Urban Corporation will be responsible for constructing the school within a budget of up to 100 billion won, while the city plans to provide subsidies of up to 60 billion won to support preparation and initial operational stabilization. Both the school site and buildings will remain owned by the city of Pyeongtaek, and the school will lease the facilities for its operations.

The city explained that this financial structure reflects the characteristics of the foreign educational institution system. Under current regulations, international schools must be established and operated by foreign non-profit school corporations, and the main campus is restricted from recouping investment funds or remitting profits. As the main campus bears significant initial investment and long-term operational risks when establishing a branch, it is difficult for the project to proceed unless the public sector shares a certain portion of the financial burden during the initial and stabilization phases.

The agreement also includes provisions to strengthen ties with the local community. According to the agreement, a management committee for sharing and consulting on school operations will include representatives designated by the city of Pyeongtaek. At least 10% of the total tuition revenue will be allocated to scholarships, with 60% of these scholarships given priority to students residing in Pyeongtaek. The agreement also incorporates a regional admission policy that requires at least 30% of domestic students to be Pyeongtaek residents, as well as the operation of community cooperation programs.

The city plans to nurture the international school as a core educational infrastructure where foreigners and global talent can settle stably. Building on this agreement, Pyeongtaek will gradually establish a foundation for global educational cooperation and concretize an international city model that integrates industry, housing, and education.

Meanwhile, about 200 people attended the signing ceremony, including Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jang-seon, David Overton, Chairman of the Annie Wright School Board, Jake Guadnola, Head of School at Annie Wright Schools, members of the National Assembly, city and provincial council members, heads of related organizations, representatives of the US Forces Korea, Samsung officials, foreign-invested company representatives, and local residents. At the event, the city appointed Chairman Overton as an honorary ambassador for Pyeongtaek.

Mayor Jung stated, "This agreement with Annie Wright Schools is not simply about borrowing a name, but marks the starting point of a true international school that brings the school's philosophy and curriculum directly to Pyeongtaek."