New Foundations for the Future

Academic Programs

Prior to 2015, the Middle School was exploring standards based grading. However, with the decision to implement the IB Continuum, they jumped in with both feet and were the early adopters submitting the initial MYP application during the 2015-2016 school year. This led to a soft roll out of the program the following school year for 6th and 7th grade, and then full implementation by 2017-2018 for all three grade levels. The Middle School now shares an MYP Curriculum Coordinator with the High School.

All Middle School students take Christian Education for one trimester per year. This course is designed to teach students about Christianity with a systematic and academic approach, so that students begin to go deeper into learning more about what Christian theology and ideas related to the Christian faith.

Activities

Middle School and British School students participate together in activities, such as SWEP, AQT, VEX, MY KAIAC, MY SELECT, and the Middle Years Play or Musical. The Middle Years have put on incredible performances through the years, such as Shrek the Musical, Jr, Graffiti, Holes, A Wrinkle in Time, Bye Bye Birdie Jr, The Masked Musketeer, The Little Mermaid Jr, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, Into the Woods Jr, Fame Jr.

Another significant part of Middle School activities is the House System. They have created a unique approach where students are organized into mixed grade level teams with three 6th graders, three 7th graders, and three 8th graders. Students are with this group for the whole year, and a series of house games, field days, and other activities are used to build camaraderie and friendship throughout the year.

Christian Ministries

On Tuesdays, Middle School students also have the opportunity to participate in the TREK program. Students are organized into small groups of 6-8 students and are paired with a mentor teacher.

British School

The British School operates from Foundation to Year 9. The year 2021 marked the 40th anniversary of the British School, and the school celebrated with a reception and street party outside for the students. A highlight of the celebrations was inviting British School Alumna Rosie Jon, who was born with no arms and is an incredibly talented painter, to speak to the students to inspire them to be their own ‘extraordinary’. Rosie went on to become an incredibly talented painter, with her feet. The British school offers something slightly different from the other sections, as it has the feeling of a small school, which helps to nurture a tangible feeling of community. The British School also has a unique set of Core Values (Responsibility, Reflection, Respect, Collaboration, Communication, and Courage) that accompany the School Mission and Christlike Attitudes, which are integrated into their culture and community.

Facilities

There have been significant renovations to the building such as a new facade, signage, updated lobby and office areas, all of which helped enhance the curb appeal and aesthetic of the building. Inside the building, there were further improvements such as repainting the Green Room floor to White (we still call it the Green Room though), and adding a new design lab with state-of-the-art equipment.

In 2022, honoring 40 years of the British School, the SFS community came together to fundraise for a new playground at the British School called the “Pitch In: Playground”. This three month campaign was a huge success, and the new playground is a much more exciting space for our students to play, learn, grow, and build community with their peers! This playground consists of a small turf field, a basketball court, multi-functional play equipment and a nature trail.

The British School and the Middle School share the newly renovated Library space, and a new nature trail has been added behind the building that has garden areas. Eventually, the trail will be connected to the ‘Eagle Trail’, which wraps around the outer wall of the campus and up to G-dong.