Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies facts for kids

Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies (often called HAFS) is a special private boarding school in Yongin, South Korea. It was the first high school in Korea created by a partnership between the government and a university. HAFS is known as one of the most selective and respected boarding schools in Korea. It is famous for its high academic standards and for helping students get into great colleges.

How HAFS Started

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) and the local government of Yongin City decided to build HAFS. They wanted to create a great school so that students from Yongin wouldn't have to leave the city to get a good education.

Yongin City gave about $16 million (USD) for the school's construction. HUFS provided 13 acres (about 53,000 square meters) of land from its Yongin Campus. Because of this, the school's official Korean name includes both Yongin City and HUFS. Also, HAFS must accept at least 30% of its new students from Yongin each year.

In 2011, the school's official name changed. But its English name, "Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies," has always stayed the same.

School Staff and Teachers

The school has 16 staff members. This group includes the principal, Mr. Jeong Yeong-woo, and the vice principal. The staff helps with many important tasks. They handle student admissions, organize tests, and look after the dormitories.

The school has 103 teachers, also called faculty members. They are divided into seven different departments. These include Korean, English, other Foreign Languages, Social Sciences, Arts, Science, and Math. Many teachers are highly qualified. Some have even worked for EBS, which is the national educational broadcasting system. Teachers who are not from Korea usually teach language classes that focus on conversation. There is also a special counselor who helps students in the international division apply to colleges.

School History

HAFS was first planned in 2002. The mayor of Yongin and the president of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies decided to create the school. Construction began in 2003.

The school officially opened its doors in March 2005. It welcomed its first students then. In July 2005, a group called the U.S. College Board made HAFS an official place to take important tests like the PSAT, SAT, and AP exams. The first group of students graduated in 2008.

Over the years, the school's Korean name changed a few times. In 2011, HAFS became an "Independent Private High School." This gave the school more freedom in how it taught students.

Getting into College

Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies is very well-known for helping its students get into top colleges. Many HAFS graduates go on to study at famous universities. For example, in the class of 2014, 96 students were accepted to Seoul National University in Korea. Three students got into Harvard University, and two into Princeton University in the US.

HAFS is also an official test center for several important college entrance exams. These include the PSAT, SAT, AP, and ACT tests. This means students can take these tests right at their school.

How Students Learn

From 2005 to 2010, HAFS was a "Foreign Language High School." Students had to choose a main foreign language to study. There were 10 classes, and each class focused on a different language.

• English Major (Classes 1-3): These classes followed the US education system. They offered advanced courses like AP classes. Most students aimed to go to colleges in the US, UK, Korea, or Hong Kong.
• Asian-European Majors (Classes 4-10): These classes followed the standard Korean education system. Students prepared for the College Scholastic Ability Test to get into colleges in Korea.
  • French Major (Class 4)
  • German Major (Class 5)
  • Chinese Major (Classes 6-8)
  • Japanese Major (Classes 9-10)

Since 2011, HAFS has been an "Independent Private High School." This change gave the school more freedom to create its own learning plans. Now, choosing a foreign language is no longer the main way classes are divided.

Learning Tracks Today

Today, the school has three main learning tracks:

• International Track (Class 1): This track helps students get into colleges outside Korea. Most students aim for universities in the US, UK, or Hong Kong. The classes follow the US education system.
• Humanities & Social Science Track (Classes 2-4): This track focuses on advanced studies in literature, social science, and foreign languages. Most students here aim for colleges in Korea. Some also apply to universities in Europe, Japan, or China.
• Natural Science Track (Classes 5-10): This track is for students who want to study science in depth. They learn about Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus. Students get many chances to do experiments. Most students in this track aim for science, engineering, or medical programs in Korean colleges.

Each class usually has about 35 students. Students in the International and Humanities tracks must learn at least one foreign language besides English for three years. They can choose from Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish, and German. Students in the Humanities and Natural Science tracks prepare for the College Scholastic Ability Test for colleges in Korea.

International Track Details

The International Track uses the US education system. Students in this track mostly prepare for colleges outside Korea. They have more choices for their courses. Class sizes can be different, from about fifteen to a hundred students.

Courses include subjects like Pre-calculus, AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Economics, English Literature, AP World History, and Foreign Language. All these classes, except for Korean Language and Korean History, are taught in English.

Teachers for AP courses have special certificates. After taking AP courses, students are encouraged to take AP tests at school. Many students also prepare for other AP tests on their own. Popular AP tests include AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, and AP World History.

Students also take the SAT and/or ACT tests at school. The school helps them prepare by offering special elective courses. Most students in this track apply to colleges in the US. Some also go to colleges in the UK or Hong Kong. Many are also accepted to Korean universities like Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University.

School Activities

HAFS students have many different extra-curricular activities. These include debate clubs, public speaking clubs, and volunteer groups that teach English to younger students. The school believes that doing well outside of class is important. These activities, along with test scores and grades, help students get into college.

Sports clubs are also a big part of school life. There are teams for lacrosse, flag football, soccer, basketball, badminton, and baseball. Other clubs include B-boy & Poppin' dance, Vocal Rock band, Hip-hop, Samulnori (traditional Korean music), English drama, Korean drama, and Musical clubs. These clubs often perform at school events like freshmen orientation and school festivals. The main school festival happens every July.

HAFS also takes part in the International History Bee and Bowl and similar competitions. The school won the Varsity level of the Academic Bowl of Asia in 2016 and 2018. They also placed second in the Varsity Bowl at the 2018 Asian Championships.

Recently, HAFS students have been recognized for their startup activities. Some teams have won national and international startup competitions. For example, in 2015, a team called "CED" won first place in the Asia Pacific JA Company of the Year competition in Seoul. This same team also won a Gold Medal at the SAGE World Cup. In 2017, another team called "Cyclo" won an award at the same competition. In 2020, a team called "VicData" was named the third Best Startup out of 31 nations at the SAGE World Cup. VicData also received a Gold Medal for their work. Many of these student teams have been featured in the news for their amazing projects.

How to Apply to HAFS

Students from all over Korea can apply to HAFS. The application process looks at many things. These include a student's middle school grades, essays they write, letters of recommendation, and interviews.

The admission tests have changed over time. For example, for students entering in 2013, the process was very detailed. It included middle school grades, interviews, debates, and an English listening test. Since 2014, when the school became an Independent Private School, the process changed again. Now, students are chosen based on their middle school grades, essays, and comprehensive interviews.

School Rules and Policies

Students in the International Track take most of their classes in English. They must follow the English-Based Campus (EBC) policy. This means they should speak English in class and during breaks. Students in the Humanities Track and Natural Science Track also try to use English during breaks and lunch. The only classes where this policy doesn't apply are Korean Literature, Korean History, and Ethics.

Students elect members to the Global Leader Monitor (GLM) team at the start of each semester. These GLM members help make sure school policies are followed. They also work with class presidents and vice-presidents in the Class Representative Council. They play an active role in deciding school rules.

School Facilities

HAFS is known for its unique dormitories. Most rooms are for two students, which is not common for Korean boarding schools. All students must live in the school dormitory for all three years. They can only leave on weekends. Once a month, usually on the last weekend, the dormitory closes, and all students must go home. The school provides buses to take students to nearby public transportation spots. Students can choose to stay in the dormitory during school breaks.

The dormitories have a small store, two laundry rooms (one for each gender), several study rooms, a temporary mail room, and a small gym. There are two dormitory buildings. Usually, one is for boys and one for girls, but this can change depending on how many boys and girls are at the school. Students are not allowed to enter the parts of the dormitory used by the other gender.

The school provides all three meals a day, plus an extra snack at night. Older students (seniors) usually pick up their night snack during dinner so they don't have to stop studying later. There is also a small store in the basement of the dormitory. It sells snacks, drinks, ice cream, and basic school supplies. In 2012, this store became a convenience store.

The school is also famous for its uniform, which was designed by Andre Kim for free. There are four designs: two for winter and two for summer. The uniform set includes a coat, a PE (Physical Education) uniform, and a ribbon or necktie. Students can buy more uniform items at the dormitory. After dinner, students can change into comfortable clothes. This includes PE uniforms, school hoodies, club hoodies, class hoodies, and division hoodies. For club, class, and division hoodies, students design and order them themselves. All hoodies must be approved by the school and have the HAFS logo on the shoulder.

Dormitory Rules

The dormitories are separate for boys and girls. Students are not allowed to go into the living areas or laundry rooms used by the other gender. Students cannot enter the dormitories during school hours unless they have a special "pass" signed by a teacher or staff member. Students can go to their rooms during dinner and after study time. Teachers can give students a "pass" to stay in the dormitory after dinner. There are strict rules about electrical appliances in the dorm rooms. Students are also not allowed to bring in any food that can spoil.

There is a curfew at midnight. All lights must be off, and students should go to sleep around 1 AM. During exam periods, and for older students (seniors), these rules are more relaxed. Residential Advisors (RAs) take turns watching the hallways at night.

To leave campus on weekends, students must sign up beforehand to say when they will leave and come back. Or, their parents can talk to the RAs to get a pass. Parents can pick up their children at school.

Students get points for misbehavior, like being late for school or breaking curfew. If a student gets too many points, their parents will be told by the RAs. Students can earn "counterpoints" by helping an RA. All points are reset at the end of each month.

School Clubs

Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies is also known for its many different school clubs. There are currently 260 clubs at the school. These clubs cover many different subjects and activities.