Global Leader Nurturing Small World in Jeju: Saint John's Beria Academy (SJA) Jeju Boarding School

원본보기 아이콘

The elementary, middle, and high school environments, which seemed to have come to a halt due to COVID-19, are regaining vitality. Even in Jeju English Education City, where the majority of students study and live in dormitories, preparations are underway to return to pre-pandemic conditions while maintaining the existing quarantine system. The Jeju Provincial Office of Education announced that the period until the 30th of this month is designated as the preparation period for the recovery of daily school life, and all restrictions related to full in-person classes and field trips such as school excursions will be completely lifted. Accordingly, dormitories will be able to operate normally without limits on the number of students per room.

Within Jeju English Education City, where world-class educational services are available domestically, students from Seoul and other regions make up a significant proportion. Parents, who are deeply concerned about their children living away from home for the first time, hope that their children can develop various leisure activities, independent academic abilities, and good living habits while living away. However, to select an international school that meets various conditions, it is essential to carefully consider not only academic improvement but also whether the international school dormitory allows students to independently manage all aspects of their daily lives.

SJA Jeju: The First American-Style International School in Jeju English Education City

Saint Johnsbury Academy Jeju (SJA Jeju) is the first American-style international school established in Jeju English Education City. Founded most recently in 2017, it follows the American school system and currently enrolls 1,050 students from kindergarten (age 3) through 12th grade. Dormitory admission is available from 6th grade, and currently, 20% of middle and high school students live in the dormitory. Dormitory students are expected to wake up on their own, take care of their laundry, and adhere to schedules. They also organize a dormitory committee to directly prepare various events and resolve issues.

원본보기 아이콘

Sports Team Activities and Weekend Leisure Reduce Academic Stress

The SJA Jeju dormitory is separated into boys' and girls' buildings, operating with two students per room. Facilities include a small library, a recreation room where students can enjoy billiards, and sports teams primarily composed of dormitory students. An environment has been created where female students can actively participate in sports such as volleyball.

In addition to sports teams, various programs such as weekend barbecue parties, cycling, dance competitions, and historical site explorations are held regularly. When students suggest activities or places they want to visit, programs reflecting these interests are added. For students' health and safety during leisure activities, a 24-hour nurse is on duty, and a security system regularly patrols the campus.

‘Evening Study’ Helps Students Balance Learning and Leisure Independently

Saint Johnsbury Academy Jeju offers various activities for dormitory students, including ‘Evening Study,’ a concept of voluntary night study held five days a week in the library and dormitory study rooms after school. Students can ask questions about homework or self-study problems to teachers who take turns participating in the study sessions daily. Additionally, 15 dormitory supervisors manage student oversight and program operations, maintaining close communication with students.

A school official stated, “SJA Jeju is a school that nurtures students who analyze problems themselves, ask questions, and solve them, rather than simply providing answers.” They added, “Since many students come to Jeju for English education from afar, the dormitory programs must be a space that offers rich experiences and intellectual stimulation through diverse curricula and activity programs.”

Meanwhile, Saint Johnsbury Academy Jeju realizes voluntary learning based on the educational philosophy of Saint Johnsbury Academy (SJA), a prestigious private high school in the northeastern United States with a 180-year tradition. With 163 teachers, the student-to-teacher ratio is 6.5 to 1, allowing for focused academic guidance tailored to each student.

The representative curriculum, the ‘Capstone Project,’ provides an opportunity for students in the final year of each division?5th grade (elementary), 8th grade (middle), and 12th grade (high)?to select their own topics of interest and present or exhibit their final results in a presentation format, fostering analytical thinking skills.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.