ISB began its life in 1983. It was established by a small group of employees from international companies who wanted their children to have an international education so that, having finished their contracts in Korea, their children could transfer to any school system in the world without detriment. Their vision for the school was that it should possess a caring, family-like ethos, giving the children a high level of self-confidence and esteem, and teaching them tolerance and respect for other cultures.

This vision has not changed and ISB continues to follow these guidelines. As an example of this, the school is currently embarking upon the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. The PYP is rapidly becoming the benchmark by which other international school programmes are assessed. In it, underlying the requirement for knowledge, is the need for students to possess the necessary social, thinking, research and presentation skills necessary to make full use of any knowledge learned and be able to take their learning beyond the four walls of the school. Also, it is expected that the curriculum overtly teaches children to be inquirers, thinkers, communicators, principled, caring, open-minded and reflective.

ISB is a not-for-profit school run by a Board of Governors drawn from the parent body and the local community. They are all volunteers who give their time and expertise for the betterment of the school. Through this method, it is clear that any decisions made by the Board have as their one goal, the best interests of the students of ISB. The Governors set the broad school policy, create strategic plans for the future and supervise the school economy.

The school is a long-time member of the Council of International Schools (CIS), the largest organisation of its kind in the world and was accredited by them in 1994. It is the only CIS accredited school in Korea and is an example of the importance that we place in the creating and maintaining of high standards throughout the educational spectrum at ISB. During the 2002 – 2003 school year ISB went through its re-accreditation, which involved a year-long self study looking into all areas of the school’s operation. We are now using the commendations and recommendations that were received during re-accreditation to develop and implement our strategic plan for the future.

Since its beginning, ISB has grown and developed. It moved to its current site on Dalmaji Hill in 1999, but is already at the stage of needing to find a larger premises. The Board of Governors and the local government are currently working closely together to make it possible for ISB to relocate to nearby land (roughly 10 times bigger than its current area) in order that it can continue to expand its facilities and open a full middle and high school programme. These are very exciting times for the school as it looks towards the future.