Secondary education in South Korea is divided into 2 main sections, that is, lower secondary and Senior secondary school. Students will transition to a lower secondary school for three years, from the age of 12 years. At the age of 15 years, students will enrol in an Academic Senior Secondary School or a Vocational Senior Secondary School. Parents will meet the expenses of high school education, which lasts for three years.
Secondary education
- Ages : 13-18 years
- Duration: 6 years
- Primary Languages: Korean
- Terms : 2 semesters
- Admission Term: throughout the year
High school education in South Korea aims to educate students to be equipped with a good character and competencies expected of good citizens, to improve students' capacity to understand and form sound judgments on social and political issues, to mention but a few. From the second year onwards, students will take core subjects as well as electives. They will choose from 4 different tracks, depending on their abilities and interests, and future career objectives. Subject tracks include humanities, social science, natural sciences, and vocational training.
Common compulsory subjects for high school students include ethics, Korean language and literature, basic mathematics, social studies, history, basic science, physical education, music, fine arts, and English. Elective subjects include Chinese and Korean classics, foreign languages, non-basic mathematics, non-basic science, ancient civilization, philosophy, ethics, logic, psychology, education, economics, religion, environmental science, drama, and dancing. South Korea also offers several specialized schools which focus on specific areas including foreign languages, science, and physical education, to mention but a few.