About Lycée Français de Séoul
Lycée Français de Séoul (LFS), known in Korean as 서울 프랑스학교, has been in Seoul since 1974. Its campus is at 7, Seorae-ro, Seocho-gu, in Seorae Village. The school is non-profit and welcomes students aged 3 to 18 of all nationalities.
Curriculum and AEFE network
LFS teaches the French national curriculum. All of its levels are accredited by the French Ministry of National Education, and the school states it is the only school in Korea with this accreditation from Kindergarten to High School. LFS has signed a convention with the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE), which places it in the AEFE’s worldwide network of French schools.
Levels from maternelle to Terminale
- Kindergarten (maternelle), ages 3–5. Classes run from PS (first year of kindergarten). A Toute Petite Section is available for some 2-year-olds, subject to conditions and availability.
- Elementary school, ages 6–10
- Middle school, ages 11–14
- High school, ages 15–18: Seconde (grade 10), Première (grade 11) and Terminale (grade 12)
French Baccalauréat
Première and Terminale lead to the French Baccalauréat. Students take a common core plus three specialties in Première and keep two of them in Terminale. Continuous assessment counts for 40% of the final grade and written and oral exams for 60%. The exams are held on LFS premises. Students in the American International Section can take the Baccalauréat Option internationale (OIB).
Languages
- From age 3, every student learns French, English and Korean.
- From 5ème (grade 7), students add German or Spanish. Latin is an optional extra, and Korean becomes optional in secondary school.
- The American International Section (SIA) adds instruction in English. Students can apply from Grande Section, and middle and high school entry requires a test.
- Since 2009, LFS has been a certified examination center for Cambridge English exams (A2 to C1). A Bridge Class supports students who do not yet speak French.
School year and schedule
The school year starts in early September and ends in early July. It has three terms (September–December, January–March, April–June) and five periods, with two-week vacations between them. LFS observes Seollal and Chuseok. Elementary school runs from 8:30 am to 3:15 pm, and student reception opens at 8:20 am. Kindergarten drop-off is between 8:20 and 8:30 am and pick-up between 3:05 and 3:15 pm, at the Asan entrance (89, Sapyeong-daero 22-gil). Secondary hours depend on each class timetable. The current dates are on the official LFS calendar.
LFS Admissions Process
Who can apply
LFS is a foreign school (외국인학교) under Korean regulations. It accepts students of all nationalities who hold a valid residence visa, and it does not accept registrations on a tourist visa. The main eligibility categories are:
- One or both parents hold a non-Korean passport.
- Both parents are Korean nationals and the student has lived at least 3 years (1,095 days) outside Korea.
- Children of naturalized persons who have difficulty continuing in local schools.
Korean-national students may not exceed 30% of each grade, and no quota applies to other nationalities. Admission depends on available places, and applicants may be waitlisted.
Application steps
- Review the admission criteria and the class equivalence guide on the LFS Apply page.
- Prepare the documents: passports of the student and parents, a birth certificate (or family record book for French nationals), the Alien Registration Card if available, vaccination records, a certificate of schooling for the current year and the last three school reports.
- Create an account on the Eduka admission platform. Complete the form, attach all documents and add proof of payment of the application fee.
- LFS reviews a complete file in about two weeks, excluding school holidays.
- After acceptance, pay the First Registration Fee (DPI) within 15 days to secure the place. Tuition is invoiced in early July and is due before the school year starts.
Registration is open year-round, subject to availability. For a September start, LFS recommends applying before the end of June. The school is closed from about July 10 to August 20, and summer applications are processed after the break.
Assessment and language requirements
Students coming from a state-certified French school or an AEFE school are not tested. Students from other systems are assessed in French and mathematics to set their grade placement. Some families may also be asked for an interview or French tests. Primary students do not need any French. Secondary students need at least B1 French. Korean and English are not required for admission.
Tuition and fees
Current tuition, fees and financial regulations are on the official LFS Tuition & Fees page.
Official sources: About Us, Our Curriculum, High School, Learning Languages, Calendar, Practical Information, Apply. Admissions contact: admission@lfseoul.org, +82-2-535-1158.
Homes near Lycée Français de Séoul
LFS is in Seorae Village, and many LFS families look for homes nearby. Browse rentals in Seoul French Village, Seorae Village and Banpo, or read our guides to living in Seorae Village and living in Banpo. We also keep a list of homes near LFS and Dulwich College.
Tell us your child’s start date and we will shortlist homes that fit the school schedule.
