Why Choose TCIS?

Every family’s search for the right school begins differently. Some start by comparing academic programs. Others consider university preparation, class sizes, student support, extracurricular opportunities, or the strength of the school community.

Behind those questions is something even more important:

Who will my child become?

At TCIS, education is about more than preparing students for their next exam, grade level, or university application. It is about helping young people discover their strengths, develop the skills and character to thrive, and learn how to use their gifts to make a meaningful difference.

Since 1958, TCIS has partnered with families to provide a challenging and caring international education. Through rigorous academics, meaningful relationships, leadership opportunities, global perspectives, (optional) boarding care, and a community grounded in Christian values, students are prepared for university, future opportunities, and lives of purpose.

A Global Education Close to Home

For families in Daejeon, Sejong, Cheongju, and the surrounding region, TCIS offers a globally recognized international education without requiring children to leave their local community.

Students learn in English within a supportive, internationally minded environment. Small classes, personal relationships, English-language support, and individualized academic guidance help students build confidence and grow toward increasingly independent learning.

As an International Baccalaureate World School offering the PYP, MYP, and DP, TCIS provides a continuous educational pathway from elementary school through graduation. Korean families can now apply even when their children have not previously lived overseas, making this international pathway accessible to more families in the region.

The TCIS Difference at a Glance

A complete IB continuum: Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Program education within one school
Personal attention: An average class size of 12 and a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 7:1
English-medium learning: An immersive international environment with support based on student readiness and need
Future-ready education: Inquiry, critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving across grade levels
Global university preparation: The Class of 2026 received admission offers from 106 universities and colleges across the United States, Asia, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Europe
A caring community: Students are known, encouraged, challenged, and supported as individuals

Every student’s journey is unique, but five outcomes guide the TCIS experience. These are the qualities we hope students carry with them long after they leave our campus.

My Child Will Be Known

Every child deserves to be more than a name on a class roster. At TCIS, meaningful learning begins with meaningful relationships. Our small classes and supportive school culture allow teachers to understand students as individuals—with distinct strengths, interests, goals, and stories.

Being known means having teachers who recognize potential, counselors who understand aspirations, coaches who encourage growth, and mentors who invest in each student’s success. When challenges arise, students do not have to navigate them alone.

Small classes that foster meaningful teacher-student relationships
Personalized academic support and guidance
Dedicated counseling and university preparation
Accessible opportunities in leadership, athletics, the arts, service, and extracurricular activities
A community where students are recognized, encouraged, and supported

When students are truly known, they gain the confidence to take risks, pursue their interests, and grow into the people they were created to become.

My Child Will Be Globally Prepared

Success in university, career, and life increasingly requires students to think critically, communicate across cultures, adapt to unfamiliar situations, and engage thoughtfully with complex global issues.

Through the International Baccalaureate continuum, students learn to become inquisitive learners, reflective thinkers, effective communicators, and principled leaders. They learn not only what to think, but how to think—approaching ideas with curiosity, empathy, evidence, and an openness to different perspectives.

International Baccalaureate education from elementary school through Grade 12
An international community representing diverse cultures and experiences
Inquiry-based learning that develops critical thinking and independence
Service learning that connects students with local and global issues
University preparation and graduate pathways spanning countries and continents

Students leave TCIS with more than academic knowledge. They develop the adaptability, perspective, and intercultural understanding needed to contribute wherever life takes them.

My Child Will Be Future-Ready

The future will belong to people who can adapt, innovate, collaborate, and solve problems. Although technologies, industries, and careers will continue to change, the ability to think critically, learn continuously, and approach challenges creatively will remain essential.

At TCIS, students ask meaningful questions, investigate real-world problems, work across disciplines, and apply their learning in practical ways. They may design solutions, conduct research, create artistic work, lead projects, or explore emerging technologies as they learn how to turn knowledge into action.

Located in Korea’s Daedeok Research and Development District, TCIS is part of a region known for science, technology, research, and innovation. This setting strengthens a school culture that encourages students to see themselves as creators, problem-solvers, and lifelong learners.

STEM and STEAM learning that develops creativity and problem-solving
Design, technology, engineering, research, and artistic opportunities
Project-based and inquiry-driven learning connected to real-world challenges
Collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and responsible technology use
A learning environment connected to Korea’s leading research and innovation region

Students are prepared not only for the future they expect, but also for opportunities they cannot yet imagine.

My Child Will Develop Character and Purpose

Academic success matters, but education is also about who students become. Character, integrity, compassion, and purpose shape how young people use their knowledge, respond to challenges, and influence the people around them.

Guided by a Christian worldview, TCIS encourages students to recognize that their lives have meaning and that their abilities can be used to serve others. The school’s motto—Learn • Love • Lead—calls students to pursue excellence, care genuinely for others, and lead with responsibility and humility.

A Christian worldview that emphasizes integrity, compassion, and purpose
Leadership opportunities that develop responsibility and confidence
Service experiences that foster empathy and community engagement
Pastoral care and mentoring relationships that support personal growth
A school culture that values character alongside achievement

Students learn that success is not measured only by what they accomplish, but also by how they use their strengths to serve, lead, and make a positive difference.

My Child Will Belong

Students thrive when they feel accepted, supported, and connected to a community that values them. At TCIS, belonging is not an extra benefit—it is an intentional part of the student experience.

Students build relationships through classroom learning, athletics, the arts, service, leadership, school traditions, outdoor education, and everyday community life. Because TCIS is intentionally small, students can participate in several areas rather than being limited to a single role or interest.

An international community that welcomes diverse cultures and perspectives
Meaningful relationships among students, teachers, staff, and families
Wide-ranging opportunities in athletics, the arts, service, and leadership
School traditions and shared experiences that strengthen community
Supportive day and boarding environments where students can feel at home

When students know they belong, they gain the confidence to be themselves, the courage to try new things, and the support to continue growing.

The TCIS Difference

Every school offers programs. At TCIS, those programs are united by a shared purpose: helping students become capable learners, compassionate community members, confident leaders, and people of character.

Whether students are discovering their strengths, exploring global perspectives, preparing for university, serving others, or finding a place to belong, the goal remains the same: helping each child become the person they were created to be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Korean students attend TCIS?

Yes. Because TCIS is located within Korea’s Daedeok Research and Development Special Zone, eligible Korean-national students may apply even if they have not previously lived outside Korea. This makes an international, English-medium education accessible to more families in Daejeon, Sejong, Cheongju, and the surrounding region.

Can my child succeed if English is not their first language?

Yes. Many TCIS students come from multilingual families or enter with different levels of English experience. During admissions, the school considers each student’s English readiness and learning needs. English-language support, small classes, personal attention, and daily immersion help students develop confidence and independence over time. Expectations and available support differ by grade, so families should discuss their child’s language background and readiness directly with Admissions.

Is the IB appropriate for a student coming from a Korean school?

Students entering from Korean schools may need time to adjust to English-medium, inquiry-based learning, but they can succeed with effort and appropriate support. The IB asks students to investigate questions, explain their reasoning, communicate ideas, apply knowledge, and reflect on their progress. Teachers help students understand these expectations and build the academic, language, and organizational skills needed to become increasingly confident and independent learners.

How does TCIS prepare students for university, and where do graduates go?

TCIS students develop academic knowledge alongside research, writing, communication, critical-thinking, and time-management skills. In high school, individualized college and career counseling helps students identify pathways that fit their strengths, interests, and goals. The IB Diploma Programme provides a rigorous and internationally recognized preparation for university. The Class of 2026 received admission offers from 106 universities and colleges across the United States, Asia, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Europe.

How will my child be personally supported?

Support at TCIS begins with relationships. With an average class size of 12 and a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 7:1, teachers can know students personally, monitor their progress, and respond when challenges arise. Counselors, advisors, coaches, pastoral-care staff, school leaders, and university counselors contribute to a wider network of support. When additional academic, English-language, social-emotional, or pastoral support is needed, the school works with students and families to determine appropriate next steps.

How is TCIS different from other educational options?

TCIS combines a complete International Baccalaureate education with English-medium learning, small classes, personal guidance, international university preparation, and a caring community grounded in a Christian worldview. Students can pursue challenging academics while participating meaningfully in athletics, the arts, service, leadership, and extracurricular activities. For local families, TCIS provides a globally recognized educational pathway while allowing children to remain connected to their families in Daejeon and mainland Korea.