BIFS is accredited through

BIFS is authorized to offer

the courses and examinations of

ABRSM
Associated Boards of the Royal Schools of Music

BIFS is a member of

EARCOS
East Asia Regional Council of Schools

Korea Council of Overseas Schools

OUR
GUIDING
STATEMENTS
Vision
Our students will develop and pursue their passions, be
successful and contribute to a positive global future.

Mission
We are a diverse, supportive and dynamic international school
that inspires and challenges students to explore, discover and
thrive in the global community to which we belong.

We Believe
Students are to be at the center of all that we do.
Education is the shared responsibility of our entire community.
In being an independent non-denominational international
family school.
In being unified and respectful in our diversity.
In providing the very best inquiry based, relevant, and
experiential education for each student.
Students are to give back through community service.

4 ,5
Welcome to BIFS!
Welcome to an incredibly warm and inviting community of inquiring learners and the
Busan International Foreign School family, a place where ALL students have the
opportunity to explore, discover, thrive and become the global citizens of tomorrow!
We are a school that is "united in our diversity, and thriving in our individuality."
Thank you for your interest in our school. It is my hope that by exploring and learning
about our quality academic programs and the comprehensive activities we offer, you
will come to know our vibrant and innovative school.
BIFS, formerly known as International School of Busan, was established in 1983, and
has a long and distinguished history of serving the international expatriate community
in and around the Busan area. In the summer of 2010, BIFS moved to our current
state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility, built by the Busan Metropolitan City, which
supports our comprehensive approach to international education. We pride ourselves
in personalized inquiry-based education experiences for all learners in a nurturing
and inclusive environment. Our goal is to provide our students with a high quality
education that will equip and enable them to acquire the attributes of the IB learner
profile and to gain entrance to and succeed at the finest international universities
around the world. To this end, we strive to provide a nurturing and rich educational
climate that is committed to developing our students academically, socially,
emotionally and ethically. BIFS is the leader and the school of choice for quality
international education in south east Korea!
As a testament to its quality and commitment to a truly international education for all
students, BIFS has received authorization from the International Baccalaureate
Organization to provide three IB programs: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the
Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP). Additionally,
BIFS is accredited by the Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC) and
Council of International Schools (CIS).
Our families describe BIFS as a warm and welcoming community and a family
school. I invite you to come and discover for yourself the rich and exciting educational
opportunities we provide for all learners as you seek to explore, discover, thrive and
belong to an international community that is committed to making a difference - the
BIFS difference!

Kevin Baker
Head of School

HEAD OF SCHOOL
MESSAGE

INTRODUCTION

Established in 1983 by a group of international families and companies, BIFS

has grown to support the continued development of foreign investment in

BIFS is located on the edge of Busan,

South Koreas second largest city,
which is also Koreas most popular
tourist destination with wonderful
beaches and hills only minutes away
from the school.

the Busan area. It was the first school in Korea to begin authorization towards
the IBPYP, the first school to use the International School Assessment tests
from the Australian Council for Educational Research, the first to introduce
a design technology program, the first to offer the qualifications from the
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and was the first to achieve
dual accreditation from two independent organizations: the Council of
International Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

6 ,7
We offer classes for children from the age of two years
old, when they can enter our Playgroup, to Grade 12,
the gateway to university entrance.

The school is organized into 3 divisions:

The Elementary School
The Middle School
The High School

Each division has its own expectations but the close

cooperation between them means that children are able
to progress easily through each program as they grow
and mature.
With classes no larger than 20 and with a teacherstudent ratio of approximately 1:7, there is a genuine
interest in the progress and welfare of each individual
student.
Families come from all over the world and BIFS is proud
of its international mix of students. We believe that it is
important to be united in our diversity, which promotes
a sense of belonging within our school community.
Our teaching staff also reflects our international
diversity, having been recruited from all over the world
including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Spain, New
Zealand, Chile, the Philippines, Venezuela, Bulgaria,
France, Japan, Singapore, South Africa and Korea. This,
along with the international curriculum, creates a great
learning environment.
BIFS is a not-for-profit school that is served by a
volunteer Board of Governors, elected every two years
from the parents and members of the local community.
This ensures that all decisions are made for the benefit
of students.

CAMPUS

BIFS has a purpose-built facility

that provides inspiring spaces for
student learning.

BIFS was built by the Busan Metropolitan City to expand the educational
opportunities for expatriate families in the region. BIFS is committed to
continued development to meet the needs of the students.
The BIFS campus covers 30,000 square meters and includes:

Classrooms for all ages | 4 fully equipped science labs

3 computer rooms | 3 art rooms | 3 libraries
Music rooms and music practice rooms | Design Technology rooms
Assembly rooms | Cafeteria | Large gymnasium | Tennis court
Soccer field | Running track | Playgrounds for all ages

8 ,9

CATERING

The quality and selection of the

catering at BIFS is world-class.

BIFS is proud to have one of Busans top chefs to lead the catering team.
Having previously been the Head Chef at one of the citys 5-star hotels and
having been the personal chef for Presidents George Bush and Vladimir
Putin when they visited, there is no doubting his experience.
With a menu that includes a range of hot meals, a salad bar, fruit and
sandwich options, there is a great selection for students of all ages.

10 ,11

TRANSPORTATION
BIFS draws students from all over the south east of Korea. As a result,
our buses travel long distances each day to carry our students to and
from the campus. In the afternoon, with the wide range of activities in
the after school programs, we operate bus routes at two different times
in order to provide the best possible service.

BIFS provides safe and personalized

transportation solutions.

CURRICULUM

International Baccalaureate
Primary Years Programme
(IB PYP)
Offered for children aged 3 to 11,
from Preschool to Grade 5

Our Philosophy: Approaches to Teaching

To empower our staff in exemplary teaching
- Student-centered
- Inquiry-based
- Focus on conceptual understanding
- Inclusion of both local and global contexts
- Promotes teamwork and collaboration
- Explores differentiation
- Assessment informs teaching and planning
- Use of technology
- Developes independent and lifelong learners

Our Philosophy: Approaches to Learning

To develope life-long and transferable skills
- Thinking Skills
- Research Skills
- Communication Skills
- Self-management Skills
- Social Skills

Transdisciplinary Program
To provide an engaging, relevant, challenging and
significant learning experience, focusing on issues that
cross subject areas.
- Science
- Social Studies
- Mathematics
- Languages
- The Arts: Visual and Performing
- Physical, Social and Personal Education
Our Support Services
To assist all students in maximizing their potential
- English as an Additional Language
- Learning Support
- Co-curricular Activities
- Instrumental Lessons
- Counselling

12 ,13

International Baccalaureate
Middle Years Programme
(IB MYP)
Offered for students from Grades
6-10
The IB Middle Years Programme
encourages students to
embrace and understand
the connections between
subjects studied at
school and the real
world. It provides the
opportunity for
students to become
critical and reflective
thinkers, innovative
problem
solvers and confident
learners.

Through the MYP, BIFS:

Encourages international mindedness while
recognizing the importance of maintaining each
student's foundation language and sense of
their own culture.
- Encourages a positive attitude to learning
by challenging students to solve problems,
show creativity and resourcefulness and
participate actively in communities with
which they identify.
- Reflects real life by providing a framework
that allows students to see connections to
subjects studied.
- Supports the development of communication
skills to encourage inquiry, understanding and
language acquisition.
- Emphasizes through the learner profile, the development of
the whole student.

14 ,15

Key Concepts
The MYP consists of eight subject groups, each guided by three to
four key concepts. These broad, organizing, powerful ideas have
relevance beyond just the subject group. They are a powerful tool
of inquiry, used to create big ideas that are recognizable in, and
applicable to, real-life global contexts.
Global Concepts
Teaching and learning in the MYP involves understanding concepts
in context. All effective learning takes place when the student
identifies with the learning or sees its relevance.
Approaches to Learning (ATL)
ATL skills represent general and subject-specific learning skills that
the student will develope and apply during the program and beyond.
Approaches to Teaching (ATT)
MYP teachers deliver the curriculum through inquiry, concepts,
differentiation, contexts and collaboration.

International Baccalaureate
Diploma Programme (DP)
The gold standard qualification
for universities around the
world.

16 ,17
The IB DP is academically challenging and is widely recognized as
the best preparation for university success as it:
- Provides a balance of subject breadth and depth
- Encourages international mindedness
- Developes a positive attitude to learning
- Developes styles of learning required for future studies
- Has rigorous external assessment
- Emphasises the development of the whole student
IB Diploma students study six subjects, three at Higher Level and
three at Standard Level. In addition, there are three core
requirements of:
- A 4,000 word extended essay with independent research
- Theory of Knowledge a course designed to encourage students
to reflect on the nature of knowledge
- Creativity, Action, Service a requirement to actively learn from
the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom.
As an alternative, students can tailor their own program by
selecting individual DP courses at levels to suit their own needs.

SPORTS

BIFS provides a wide range of

competitive opportunities for
all students. Go Bears!

18 ,19
BIFS offers a large gymnasium, tennis court, full size
soccer field, a 100m running track, long and triple
jump sand pit and two outdoor basketball courts.
These facilities, along with dedicated coaches, allow
students to enjoy a wide range of sports for all ages
and for all abilities.
Students can also represent their school or their
house through an ever-growing array of inter-school
and intra-school competitive and friendly matches.
We are members of two activity conferences, the
Southern Korea Activities Conference (SKAC) and the
Korea International Schools Activities Conference
(KISAC).
We have three sporting seasons :
Fall
Elementary & Middle School Soccer / Middle and
High School Cross Country / High School Volleyball
Winter
Middle School Volleyball / High School Basketball
Spring
Elementary and Middle School Basketball / High
School Soccer
There are also opportunities to participate in
Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis and Track &
Field, along with specialty athletics organized trips
that may include Skiing, Sailing and even Scuba
Diving.

THE ARTS
AND
TECHNOLOGY
Innovation, creativity, expression
and design are all hallmarks of
the BIFS experience.

BIFS prides itself on being able to offer a wide range of learning opportunities
for our students. A major part of this are the arts and technology programs.
The visual arts utilize the skills of specialist teachers from the beginning of
Elementary School. With dedicated art rooms, the students are able to
experience different techniques using a wide range of materials and forms,
from oils and water colors through to ceramics and photography.
Drama is offered through the various productions that take place each year.
Whether it is a small play by Elementary School or a Shakespearean adaptation,
students have the opportunity to express themselves in a number of ways.

20 ,21

BIFS offers an innovative and challenging Design Technology program.

Starting in the Middle School, students engage in practical activities that
cover electronics, robotics, technical drawing, structures and forces while
working in wood, acrylics, metal and design foam. Students use a variety of
CAD / CAM programs and can produce work of high quality using the laser
cutters and other machinery.
The ICT department provides a structured, developmental program of
computer usage and programming skills. Beginning at Grade 1, students
have the support of specialist teachers who plan in close collaboration with
their subject teachers to make the most of the learning opportunities that
new technologies provide.
The school has three computer labs and research centers in Middle School
and High School, along with laptops and iPads that are available throughout
the school, connected to a campus-wide wifi network. In the Middle and
High School, we operate a 1:1 laptop program.
The majority of classrooms have the advantage of Smartboards that allow
teachers to facilitate a learning environment that is both stimulating and
interactive.

MUSIC

BIFS is deeply committed to

providing rich opportunities in
music.

Music plays an important role in the enrichment of students lives. Our

music facilities include teaching suites, separate practice rooms and
two performance halls. Students at BIFS enjoy a well-rounded and
creative music curriculum that is complemented by an array of after
school ensembles.
Our students have the opportunity to be actively involved in Orchestra,
upper elementary class choirs, MHS Choir, String Ensembles and
Beginning Band.
The Music Department organizes a number of performances throughout
the year at school, in the local community and overseas. Students who
are keen on strengthening their music education are able to sit for the
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music's (ABRSM) practical
and theory music exams on our campus twice a year.

22 ,23

COCURRICULAR
ACTIVITIES

BIFS provides a variety of

experiences beyond the
classroom for our students to
explore.

For every age, BIFS offers a broad selection of activities beyond our curriculum.
Activities offered may include such options as :

National Honor Society | Model UN | Lego Robotics | Sailing | Taekwondo |

Student Council | Softball | Ceramics | Gymnastics | Ballet | Chess |
Art Designs: collage, models, sculpture | Guitar | Kumdo | Netball | Knitting |
Print Making | Junior Chefs | Hanja Calligraphy | Handicrafts | Ultimate Frisbee
| Debate

24 ,25
We actively participate in the Korean Speech Competition, the local and national
English Spelling Bee, Model UN, and the annual Busan English Debate
Championship. We have also developed a sailing program with the Busan Sailing
Center.
In addition, students have the opportunity to learn a wide range of musical
instruments. These lessons take place during the day and after school.

Piano | Violin | Voice | Cello | Music Theory | Saxophone | Clarinet | Oboe

Flute | Guitar (electric and acoustic) | Trumpet | French Horn | Trombone
Drums | Singing | Hip-Hop | Junior/Senior Strings | Senior Orchestra
Drama | Dance | Junior/Senior Choir

SERVICE

BIFS students seek to make a

difference by giving back to the
global community to which they
belong.

BIFS is strongly committed to community service and encourages Elementary

through High School students to actively participate in a wide varity of projects
and fund raising activities within our own community. Many of these projects are
tied to concepts students are learning in their classes. We believe our students
gain a great deal from giving their time to helping others and becoming active
members of their community.
In our Middle School MYP program, we incorporate community and service
into the classroom. The goal is to allow students to make connections between
the curriculum and the world around them. When these connections are made,
and a level of service is completed, students will head into High School
understanding the role they can play in their community.
In High School we follow the Community, Action, and Service (CAS) program set
by the IB. Service is a component to the CAS program that allows students to
get involved with activities that interest them, but also pushes them to step
outside their comfort zones. BIFS has service requirements for all graduates.

26 ,27

Student ownership over this service program is crucial, as

the service learning cycle begins and ends with the students.
Our student-led clubs are responsible for creating service
opportunities. The school offers both local and international
service opportunities for the students. Recent international
trips include Borneo, Nepal, Laos and Cambodia.
Some of our local projects include: raising money for Busan
Abandoned Pet Sanctuary, running the Kids Corner at the
annual Busan International Womens Association (BIWA)
Christmas Bazaar, serving lunch at the Haeundae Soup
Kitchen and collecting socks for the Happy Feet and
Something Sweet event at the soup kitchen. Our students
also tutor and help at orphanages. In addition, both the
Harvest Festival (collection of food for the Isaac House
Children's Home) and the Angel Tree (collection of holiday
presents for children in orphanages) are community
service projects in which the whole school participates.

COMMUNITY

BIFS is a community school

that celebrates and is united in
our diversity.

The BIFS Parent Teacher Association (PTA) comprises BIFS parents

and staff who support and promote our school community. All
Parents, Guardians and Teachers of BIFS students are members of
the PTA.
The PTA's support is essential to the school, giving parents and staff
an opportunity to show their dedication to making BIFS a unique and
energetic, family-oriented school which values and celebrates
diversity.
Parent/staff involvement in the PTA includes monthly parent coffees,
volunteering during fundraisers, serving as committee leaders,
participating and planning in school events such as Ice Cream
Socials, Fall Family Festival, International Day, Teachers'
Appreciation Week and more.

28 ,29

GRADUATION

With the range of programs and

the level of support provided, BIFS
students are ready to continue
their education at colleges and
universities around the world. The
school offers three separate paths
towards graduation.
BIFS High School Diploma, IB
Courses, IB Diploma

Since its establishment, BIFS has been recognized worldwide as a well-respected

college preparatory school. Over 90% of our graduates matriculate directly to
university, while the remaining graduates complete national service
commitments, pursue their dream careers or plan a meaningful gap year.
Upon completion of the BIFS graduation requirements, BIFS graduates receive
a BIFS High School Diploma and for those students that choose to pursue the full
International Baccalaureate program, the prestigious IB Diploma. BIFS is
committed to providing quality personal support for each and every student as
they explore their post-secondary options. Our higher education support services
include individual and group counseling to provide students with opportunities
for self-discovery, work experience research, and academic and vocational
decision-making.
Our staff are dedicated to helping students choose and gain admission to colleges,
universities and other institutions of further education, or with gap year planning
that is based on the right fit or best match for each students individual
interests and aspirations. Other higher education support activities include guest
speakers, university representative visits to our campus, preparation workshops,
newsletter articles, parent coffees and higher education testing services.

30 ,31

BIFS graduates are accepted to reputable colleges and universities worldwide. Some
examples include:
Asia: Waseda University
Australia / New Zealand: Challenger Institute of Technology, Curtin College, Notre Dame
University
Europe: Aarhus University, BI Norwegian School of Management, Delft University of Technology,
Ipag Business School, Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Lillebaelt Academy
of Professional Higher Education, Tilburg University, Universita Bocconi, University of Bordeaux,
University of Paris- Sorbonne, University of Szeged
North America: Berklee College of Music, Boston University, California State Polytechnic
University, Colorado State University, Cornell University, Florida Atlantic University, Illinois
Institute of Technology, Lawrence University, Long Beach State, Memorial University of
Newfoundland, Mount Allison University, Northeastern University, Parsons The New School
of Design, Pennsylvania State University - Erie, Pennsylvania State University - University
Park, Portland State University, Pratt Institute, Purdue University, Queens University, Rutgers
University-New Brunswick, Savannah College of Art & Design, School of the Art Institute of
Chicago, Texas A&M University, University of California - San Diego, University of Cincinnati,
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, University of Massachusetts, University of
Minnesota - Pomona, University of Oregon, University of Wisconsin - Lacrosse
United Kingdom: Brunel University, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Bath,
University of Essex, University of Exeter, University of Glasgow, University of London,
University of York

50 Gijang-daero, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun,

Busan, 46081, Korea
Ph : +82 51 742 3332
Fax : +82 51 742 3375
Email : enquiries@bifskorea.org
Web : www.bifskorea.org