Taejon Christian International School (TCIS) is a locally rooted, globally credible International Baccalaureate World School in Daejeon, South Korea. Serving students from Preschool through Grade 12, TCIS provides an English-language education where students are known personally, challenged through purposeful learning, prepared for a changing world, and encouraged to lead with confidence and purpose.

Founded in 1958, TCIS offers the complete IB continuum – the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. This coherent pathway develops students as curious learners, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible contributors. Through inquiry, research, collaboration, creative work, and real-world application, students learn to build knowledge and use it meaningfully.

Small classes, averaging 12 students, and a student–teacher ratio of approximately 7:1 allow teachers to understand each student’s strengths, needs, and aspirations. High expectations are matched with personal guidance, constructive feedback, English-language learning, learning support, counseling, and individualized university and career preparation. Students are not expected to follow identical pathways – they are supported in finding the opportunities and challenges that help them grow.

Learning extends beyond the classroom through STEM+Arts, athletics, outdoor education, service, leadership, spiritual life, and extracurricular activities. These experiences help students become adaptable, collaborative, and confident across cultures and future environments. Within a diverse international community, students learn to understand different perspectives while developing a strong sense of belonging.

As a non-denominational Christian school, TCIS welcomes families from different national, cultural, and faith backgrounds. Its Christian identity is expressed through love, integrity, responsibility, hope, and service. Students are encouraged not only to achieve academically, but also to consider how their knowledge, character, and choices can contribute to others.

For students living beyond the Daejeon area, TCIS offers an on-campus boarding program for Grades 6–12. Purpose-built dormitories, resident staff, supervised study, academic support, and structured activities provide a caring environment where students grow in independence while remaining known and supported.

TCIS is located on a peaceful 10-acre campus overlooking Daedeok Techno Valley, one of Korea’s leading centers for science, research, and innovation. The school serves international families, Korean families returning from abroad, families considering boarding, and local Korean families seeking an English-language international education. Under the provisions applying within the Daedeok R&D Special Zone, Korean-national students may apply without a previous overseas-residence requirement.

TCIS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and authorized by the International Baccalaureate. Its mission is to cultivate internationally minded learners who lead in purposeful change. Through Learn • Love • Lead, students learn deeply, grow within a caring community, and use their abilities to contribute meaningfully.

TCIS provides a coherent International Baccalaureate education from Preschool through Grade 12 through the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. This continuous pathway helps students build knowledge, skills, independence, and confidence as they progress through the school.

Academic rigor at TCIS is expressed through what students learn to do. They inquire, think critically, communicate effectively, create original work, solve problems, and apply their learning to meaningful questions and real-world contexts. Interdisciplinary learning, STEM+Arts experiences, research, collaboration, and reflection help students become active participants in their education rather than passive recipients of information.

Small classes, averaging 12 students, and a student–teacher ratio of approximately 7:1 allow teachers to know students personally. Faculty can recognize individual strengths, identify areas for growth, provide meaningful feedback, and adjust support or challenge as needed. English-language learning, learning support, counseling, and university guidance provide additional pathways for students with different educational, linguistic, and personal needs.

Students are challenged purposefully through high expectations supported by strong relationships. From inquiry and exploration in the PYP to interdisciplinary learning in the MYP and advanced study in the DP, students develop increasingly sophisticated habits of thinking, communication, research, self-management, and reflection. In high school, personalized college and career guidance helps students connect their academic choices with future university pathways, interests, and aspirations.

TCIS prepares students to move confidently across cultures, educational systems, and future environments. Learning takes place within an international community where different perspectives enrich classroom discussion and collaboration. Students develop the adaptability and intercultural understanding needed for universities and lives around the world.

As a Christian school, TCIS also connects learning with character and purpose. Students are encouraged to act with integrity, take responsibility, serve others, and use their knowledge to contribute meaningfully. In this way, Learn • Love • Lead becomes a lived academic experience – students learn deeply, grow within a caring community, and apply their learning with confidence and purpose.

The TCIS boarding program provides students in Grades 6–12 with a caring, structured home on campus. Purpose-built residences allow students to live close to classrooms, activities, athletic facilities, and the wider school community while receiving consistent guidance from adults who know them personally.

Residential staff live in the boarding buildings, adjacent to student hallways, and serve as the first point of care for students. They help students manage routines, relationships, responsibilities, and the challenges that can come with living away from home. Experienced boarding students, counselors, teachers, and other members of the community also help new students adjust and develop a sense of belonging.

The boarding schedule balances academics, activities, friendships, personal time, and rest. Supervised evening study provides regular time for students to complete assignments and develop productive learning habits. Teacher Residential Assistants are certified educators who can coordinate with classroom teachers and help students connect with additional academic support when needed.

Shared living and community spaces encourage students to build friendships across cultures, participate in activities, and learn how to live responsibly with others. English is the primary language of the boarding community, with Korean-language support available when needed. Through daily life together, students develop independence, adaptability, communication skills, and respect for different perspectives.

Student wellbeing is supported through clear routines, attentive supervision, counseling, and access to health services. A nurse is available on call after regular hours, and families are contacted by phone, text, or email when health or safety concerns arise, depending on the situation and level of urgency.

Students ordinarily leave campus during school holidays and extended breaks. For students whose families are outside Korea, TCIS helps families understand transportation arrangements and provides appropriate residential care when students remain in Korea without an in-country guardian.

Boarding at TCIS is more than accommodation. It is an authentically international living and learning experience where students are known, supported, challenged to grow in independence, and encouraged to contribute to a close-knit community.

Activities at TCIS help students discover their interests, build relationships, and develop the confidence to contribute. Through athletics, visual and performing arts, clubs, service, outdoor education, spiritual life, and leadership opportunities, students extend their learning beyond the classroom and become active members of the school community.

A broad range of age-appropriate activities allows students to explore new interests while developing existing strengths. Students collaborate, create, compete, perform, solve problems, and take responsibility within supportive teams and groups. Because TCIS is a close-knit school, students are known personally and encouraged to participate – whether they are experienced in an activity or trying something for the first time.

Athletics and international activities conferences provide opportunities for teamwork, healthy competition, travel, and cultural exchange. Arts experiences give students space to express ideas, develop creative discipline, and share their work with an audience. Clubs and student-led initiatives allow students to pursue particular interests, while outdoor education challenges them to grow in resilience, cooperation, practical skills, and confidence.

Leadership and service are integrated throughout the student experience. Students learn to organize, communicate, support others, and use their abilities to address meaningful needs within the school and wider community. Activities are therefore more than additions to academic life – they help students become globally prepared and grounded in character and purpose.

Through these experiences, Learn • Love • Lead becomes visible in daily school life. Students learn through participation, build belonging by sharing experiences with others, and lead through responsibility, collaboration, and service.

The TCIS campus is designed to support learning, creativity, community, and student wellbeing. Located on a peaceful 10-acre hillside overlooking Daejeon’s Daedeok Techno Valley, the purpose-built campus combines modern educational facilities with green spaces and views of the surrounding landscape.

Classrooms and collaborative learning areas support inquiry, discussion, project work, and the thoughtful use of technology. Specialized spaces for science, design, visual arts, performing arts, music, and technology give students opportunities to experiment, create, solve problems, and share their learning. The school library provides a welcoming environment for reading, research, independent study, and collaboration.

Athletic facilities support physical education, team sports, recreation, and school competitions. Indoor and outdoor spaces allow students to remain active throughout the year, while common areas, performance spaces, and gathering places bring students, families, and staff together for events, celebrations, and shared experiences.

Purpose-built residences support the Grades 6–12 boarding program. Students live in a structured, caring environment with nearby resident staff, supervised study areas, shared community spaces, and convenient access to academic and extracurricular facilities. This integration allows learning, activities, friendships, and personal support to continue beyond the school day.

The campus is large enough to provide diverse opportunities while remaining close-knit and easy to navigate. Its design helps students feel known and connected, move confidently between learning experiences, and participate fully in the academic and community life of TCIS.