Competition for International Middle School Admissions Heats Up ... Seoul’s Ratio Reaches 18.53 to 1

[Financial News] The admissions ratio for international middle schools in Seoul for the 2027 academic year stood at 18.53 to 1. Analysts say demand to boost academic competitiveness from the middle school level, coupled with hopes of entering special-purpose or autonomous private high schools, is making international middle schools increasingly popular.

An analysis of new student applications to international middle schools nationwide by Jongro Academy on the 6th found that 5,931 students applied to the two Seoul schools, Daewon and Younghoon International Middle Schools, which had 320 places available.
That was 457 more applicants (8.3%) than the 5,474 the previous year. The average admissions ratio also rose from 17.11 to 1 the previous year to 18.53 to 1.
By school, Daewon International Middle School received 3,966 applications for 160 places, an admissions ratio of 24.79 to 1. That was 198 more applicants (5.3%) than the 3,768 the previous year, and the ratio rose from 23.55 to 1.
Younghoon International Middle School received 1,965 applications for 160 places, an admissions ratio of 12.28 to 1. The number of applicants increased by 259 (15.2%) from the previous year, and the ratio rose from 10.66 to 1.
Applications to international middle schools also increased sharply nationwide. A total of 8,998 students applied for 474 places at four schools that disclosed application figures—Daewon, Younghoon, Cheongshim and Busan International Middle Schools—an average admissions ratio of 18.98 to 1. That was 738 more applicants (8.9%) than the 8,260 the previous year.
Compared with the 5,182 applicants for the 2021 academic year, the number rose by 3,816 (73.6%) over six years.
By school, Daewon International Middle School had the highest admissions ratio at 24.79 to 1, followed by Busan International Middle School at 24.59 to 1, Cheongshim International Middle School at 17.39 to 1, and Younghoon International Middle School at 12.28 to 1.
Seonin International Middle School, located in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, was excluded from this tally because it did not disclose its application figures. It is one of five international middle schools in the country.
Analysts say the popularity of international middle schools is influenced by their English-centered educational environment and the high proportion of graduates who go on to special-purpose or autonomous private high schools.
According to high school placement figures for the 2025 academic year published by School Info, 67.3% of graduates from the five international middle schools nationwide went on to special-purpose or autonomous private high schools.
At Daewon International Middle School, 33.7% of graduates went on to autonomous private high schools and 25.8% to foreign language or international high schools. At Younghoon International Middle School, too, the proportion entering autonomous private high schools was 37.2%, higher than the 23.2% entering foreign language or international high schools.
At Cheongshim International Middle School, the proportion going on to foreign language or international high schools reached 75.0%. Admission to international middle schools is mostly by lottery. Daewon, Younghoon, Busan and Seonin International Middle Schools select new students through a computerized lottery. Cheongshim International Middle School first selects twice the number of available places through a computerized lottery, then conducts interviews in the second stage.

People in the admissions industry say that demand for students to build their academic skills from middle school onward in preparation for changes to the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) and the high school grading system is driving the increase in applications to international middle schools. Analysts also say their popularity is influenced by the opportunity to receive English-centered education in South Korea while reducing the costs and burdens associated with studying abroad at an early age.
Lim Seong Ho, head of Jongro Academy, forecast that international middle schools would remain popular as demand to gain an early academic advantage through English-centered education at the middle school level coincides with demand to find an alternative to studying abroad.
[email protected] Lee Bomi Reporter