About YISS
MISSION
Yongsan International School of Seoul is a community of students, parents, and Christian educators working together to instill in each student a passion for truth, a commitment to excellence, and an appreciation for diversity.
ACCREDITATIONS & AFFILIATIONS
YISS is fully accredited by WASC and ACSI and is officially recognized by the Korean government. YISS also has numerous affiliations that lend it credibility. YISS’ accreditations and affiliations ensure that it is meeting standards set for international schools and that the school is continuously evaluating and improving its programs and teaching.
HISTORY OF YISS
In 2004, the Korea Foreign Schools Foundation (KFSF) was created with the approval of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy (MOCIE) to establish, manage, and administrate Yongsan International School of Seoul. According to the KFSF, "the mission was to establish a renowned, world-class educational institution for the children of foreign investors in Korea in efforts to stimulate foreign direct investment which [would] be mutually beneficial to both the Korean economy and the foreign investors as well.”
In 2006, YISS was established. The project was supported by financial contributions from the national government and businesses. The KFSF leased the land for the campus from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and built the school facilities. The operator selected by the KFSF was the International Christian School of Seoul (ICS), which NICS/Oasis had been operating in Korea since 1990. ICS - Seoul then moved to the new campus and changed its name to Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS).
Since the move to the current campus in 2006, YISS has doubled in size, increased its Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings, and added many other programs. YISS has maintained a curriculum and climate which reflects the Christian values upon which it was built; however, after being selected by the KFSF, the school began offering a choice between a character-based track (Oasis) and a Christian program (NICS).
The KFSF has remained active in the operations of YISS by providing continued support, guidance, and scholarships. The KFSF has expanded its buildings and facilities in order to further develop and improve the school. Enhanced facilities have enabled YISS to offer more classes and broaden the curriculum, thus greatly increasing the competitiveness of the school.
Governance
Yongsan International School of Seoul operates under the authority of two boards, the Korea Foreign Schools Foundation (KFSF) and the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS).
VISION
YISS graduates are truth-seeking leaders who are creative, collaborative, compassionate, and committed to impacting the world with servants’ hearts.
VALUES
Truth
Education exists for the purpose of understanding truth as revealed in every sphere of life. Truth forms the foundation of reality on which all sound ideals must be constructed. A quality education inspires students toward a lifelong pursuit of truth and equips them to continue exploring the world, seeking to understand and apply the truth displayed therein.
Excellence
The display of excellence demonstrates truth and virtue through effort. Excellence demands a vigorous commitment to fulfilling every task in such a way as to clearly exhibit its worth. We believe that education is worthy of our commitment to excellence, and we aim to assist students in developing personal commitments to excellence for both present and future endeavors.
Diversity
The presence of diversity challenges our assumptions and adds beauty to the world. As we learn to respect the unique qualities of others, we are encouraged to step outside of our safe havens, thoughtfully critique our own biases, and understand a more complete picture of truth. We are committed to fostering an environment in which students enjoy the beauty of diversity.