2023-24 SJA Jeju Annual Report

The 2023-2024 Annual Report is a schoolwide snapshot of some of the initiatives and programs that happened across the school and departments this past year This comprehensive overview reflects our unwavering dedication to academic excellence within the sphere of international education, underscoring our steadfast commitment to our core guiding principles and our students here at St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju.

At the heart of St Johnsbury Academy Jeju is our unyielding pledge to our students and the broader community Central to this commitment is our resolute dedication to nurturing our students' growth and development, ensuring their transformationrowth growth and development, ensuring their transformation into the finest individuals and best people they can be, and this growth is rooted in the values of respect, compassion, integrity, and responsibility We strive tirelessly to foster a school environment conducive to optimal learning, empowering each student to reach their fullest potential. We provide extensive support and opportunities for our students to explore their passions and cultivate a genuine love for learning.

Our aim is to instill in each student a sense of belonging to something greater than themselves; a community of learners and scholars dedicated to each other and to the future promise and potential of each student Upholding our values we strive to cultivate not only exceptional learners but also exceptional individuals We do this everyday here at St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju.

I would like to express my gratitude and acknowledge the incredible teachers we have at St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju. Each year, I emphasize what I call "Mr. Johnson's Four C's" to our educators: Communicate, Collaborate, Connect, and Care These principles form a straightforward blueprint for building Community within our school In our classrooms and around school every day, it's about effective communication with one another, our students, and our families It's about collaboration and pooling our efforts for the common good Connecting through engaging, relevant learning experiences, and most importantly, caring deeply for each other and our students.

Every teacher at St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju embraces this vision and works diligently to create a supportive environment for all our students, from PreK3 to Grade 12. This approach is evident in everything we do here and resonates within the very essence of our amazing faculty and staff

Our journey throughout the 2023-2024 school year has been marked by success in advancing our strategic goals and mission as a school This annual report is a testament to those advancements aligning seamlessly with the everevolving needs of our present and future learners. The 2023-2024 school year has been a testament to that progress and success, and a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff, and students With these achievements as a sturdy foundation, we look forward to building on this success for many years to come.

CoreyJohnson

DREAMINGTOGETHER: AHOPES&DREAMSCONFERENCE FORAFANTASTICSCHOOLYEAR

In years past, we have always begun the first day of school as a Hopes & Dreams Conference for our Early Childhood students. This year, on the first day of school, we decided to try a new initiative and make the first day of school a Hopes & Dreams Conference for all of our Early Childhood and Elementary students.

This unique event set the stage for a positive and engaging school year by bringing together the school community to share aspirations, build connections, and explore the exciting upgrades made to the facilities over the summer.

The conferences kicked off with a warm welcome from the elementary school leadership team, where they emphasized the importance of dreams, growth, and community within the school. The main highlight of the event was the interactive sessions with the classroom teacher, where parents and students had the opportunity to share their hopes and dreams for the upcoming school year. Teachers facilitated the discussions, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose among students and their families.

As part of the Hopes & Dreams Conference, parents could choose to join a comprehensive tour of the school, highlighting the exciting facility upgrades that have been implemented over the summer. Highlights of the tour included viewing the brand new turf installed on both the large playing field, the smaller soccer cage, and a brand new gym floor that contribute to an enriched learning environment The upgraded facilities reflect the school's commitment to providing the best possible educational experience for its students

Families left with a sense of optimism and connection, knowing that the Hopes & Dreams Conference had set the stage for a year filled with growth, learning, and collaboration The event marks the beginning of a journey where dreams are valued, and the entire school community is united in their commitment to creating a positive and enriching environment for every student

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Building community has been a focus of the elementary school in 2023-2024. There have been many events and activities throughout the year that have brought our school community together.

The elementary school also placed a very large focus on building our parent community through the implementation of Parent University in 2023-2024.

Parent University is the combination of our traditional parent coffee mornings or information sessions paired with interactive, make-and-take, hands-on learning sessions.

This incredible program has been highly successful with our parent community They are engaged and learning the way their children learn here at SJA Jeju through inquiry, curiosity, and interactive collaborations

Parent University consisted of 19 sessions hosted by our phenomenal faculty These sessions included everything from coding and robotics to 3rd Culture Understandings and Wellness sessions Parents collected stamps and notes in their Parent University Passports for each session

Building community is an important aspect of our mission statement at SJA Jeju Through the many student and parent initiatives, the elementary school strives to encourage harmony and learning within the school community

One of the fundamental pillars at SJA Jeju is community, where we foster an environment that encourages students to comprehend their roles, rights, and responsibilities within a community that extends beyond the confines of our school.

This school year, we practiced a sense of community by challenging all SJA Jeju STUCO members in Elementary, Middle, and High School to work together and take action using the voices of other students. Students have been practicing their leadership skills and taking action to leave their legacy at SJA Jeju. In all divisions, elementary, middle and high school, meetings were held where all students of different ages and grades practiced their communication skills listening skills to agree on school-wide ities.

ugh this endeavor, we are proud to have emented various new events such as wholeol spirit weeks, house tournaments, munity recesses, and weekly announcements.

teachers' guidance, SJA Jeju STUCO students solidify their ideas and make a difference for student body With STUCO leadership rience, students will be ready to achieve best potential, creating and building a better re

The SJA Jeju Elementary Music Department has had a truly action-packed year! In early December, students performed their first large concert performance of the year. Lower and Upper Elementary students put together outstanding programs of Holiday favorites, as well as some popular modern selections and feelgood favorites. These performances showcased the students’ instrumental and vocal talents as both divisions of the Elementary School performed to a full house of parents, students, teachers, and members of the greater school community

We also had the privilege of being able to bring in an incredible musician to support and work with students in the lead up to this year’s SJA Jeju Festival of the Arts Mr Colin James Gordon, a very talented American percussionist, performer, and clinician, worked with the students through the month of March, and the results of their in-class music projects were recorded and shared with the school community at this year’s Festival of the Arts. A select group of elementary students also earned positions within the Festival of the Arts performance on stage and presented their solo, duet, and small group performances to all divisions of the SJA Jeju student community.

We are also enthusiastically looking ahead to our final big production of the year, the Super 70's Spring Concert! Last year’s Awesome 80's Concert was such a success, we knew we had to keep this tradition going! These decade themes allow for exposure to classic songs and artists that students may not know and feature some of the favorite hits of our parent community! We love to provide these opportunities to bond and connect with music, and we hope these upcoming performances will allow our community to do exactly that!

Marine Biology and Farm Science embrace the SJA Jeju inquiry mission while connecting students with the Jeju community and local environment. Students in the Marine Biology course are investigating the health of the marine ecosystem on Jeju As part of this, they have collected data from local beaches and dissected local squid, one of the main exports from the waters of Jeju. In Farm Science, students are investigating the future of farming on Jeju. They engage in labs that measure the impact of methods such as hydroponic growing and have visited local farms to learn more about the process. We are looking to add a service learning component to each course as they grow and develop

The Middle School report card now provides more actionable information for students and parents. Each teacher wrote a personal narrative comment for each of their students. They also provided feedback on the Middle School Habits of Learning, which are tied to each House. Students used this feedback after semester one to drive their goals and action plans for semester two Students shared their strengths and specific steps they are taking to improve with their parents and advisor in their Student Led Conferences.

NewEnglishClassesProvide PathwaytoProficiency

A new English class was added at each grade level for our multilingual learners with the most need. Admission to the class and exiting the class were based on WIDA scores as well as performance in the class Regular English classes have become more challenging, with an increased focus on extending the learning of students who are proficient in English Students in the Transitional English classes and English Foundations class have shown increased levels of participation and had more practice speaking in English. The 8th-grade course, led by Ms. Johnson, for example, exited four students after the first semester who demonstrated the targeted growth on their WIDA test. These students transitioned successfully into regular 8th grade English.

ClassTripsBuild CommunityandConnection

This year, all three grade levels in the Middle School will participate in overnight trips. The sequence of the trips is age-appropriate by design The 6th-grade students will travel to the east coast of Jeju by bus and stay one night The seventh-grade trip will travel by plane to the mainland for two nights. The eighth-grade trip will travel by plane internationally for three nights. Almost all teachers participate in the trip of their grade level advisory. The trips cement bonds within the advisories, within the grade, and between teachers and students. All three trips connect to curriculum outcomes for each grade level. They also provide more learning opportunities for students to develop their dispositions and habits that are stressed in the Middle School, such as collaboration, caring, being reflective, and showing grit

TheAmericanIdentityofSJAJeju

The Middle School continued to embrace the American identity of SJA Jeju. The musical ‘All Shook Up’ was chosen in part because of the setting of 1950s America. Several assemblies focused on different aspects of the 1950s prior to the production The production gave students the look, feel, and sounds of the 1950s The Middle School celebrated the era with a themed dressed spirit day and a successful Sock Hop dance On January 15th, the Middle School celebrated Martin Luther King Day with a special assembly and activities We continue to look for ways for students to learn about the American experience.

HouseProgramExpands,Connects

The Middle School grew the House program this year by having more activities on Fridays. Students were all given a House shirt to wear on these community-building days. In addition, in collaboration with ES and HS, the Middle School had joint activities during all school spirit days. On such activity, a Castle Ball tournament in the gym with HS students as leaders for each House team demonstrated the value and impact of the House Program across divisions

The Dean of Student Wellbeing, Xochtyl Nakai, has provided that first point of contact in the morning, especially for sixthgrade students. Ms. Nakai coaches students to be their best selves following the “connect before you correct” philosophy of the Middle School. Our new bilingual counselor, Ms. Kim, has increased and improved the support our students receive. Ms. Kim works with students in English and Korean when necessary. She is able to communicate directly with parents and students as they navigate sensitive issues. Both the Dean of Student Wellbeing and the Counselor have presented to students at assemblies and to parents at Parent Coffee’s. This proactive communication has helped families make healthy choices and reduce stress.

NurturingaPositiveCulture withinMiddleSchoolFaculty

In addition to two holiday full-staff gatherings off campus, the Middle School faculty also had the opportunity to celebrate achievements together at two Friday events. These four events were well attended and very much appreciated. Each weekly assembly begins by recognizing a teacher and a student for their contributions to the school. Teachers are given opportunities to recognize each other during faculty meetings and also have “spotlights” documented in Folio made by the Middle School administration. The Principal’s newsletter ‘Looking Back, Moving Forward’ also contains specific praise for teachers. Teachers have regular opportunities to debrief programs and events and provide input on upcoming activities Time in faculty meetings has also been used for collective learning experiences and discussion, like the session with the author Daska Slater All of these efforts contribute to the positive culture in the Middle School and the sense of being part of a team

The 2023-2024 academic year has been an important year of growth and refinement in the high school. Student growth, interest, and passion have remained at the center of the school’s vision for student learning, and this year has seen a significant maturation in academic offerings, after-school activities, experiential learning, and student activities that, blended together, create a unique learning experience for students.

Student agency and empowerment were a significant theme for the year. In many aspects of the high school program, student leaders worked alongside faculty mentors to develop academic and cultural activities that support a positive and inclusive school community

HOUSESYSTEMLAUNCH

This year, SJA Jeju High School implemented a house system to support student connectedness and belonging. Students were placed into houses by advisories and participated throughout the year in a vast array of games, competitions, and collaborations that served to foster community.

Importantly, students from different grade levels worked together in teams during spirit competitions - learning about each other’s interests and passions and using their combined skills and strengths to compete successfully Competitions, spirit days, and donation drives were instrumental this year as we worked to develop a divisional identity that supports student belonging and allows us to live the mission of Community throughout the year

As students in all grade levels are part of the house system, high school students collaborated with students in elementary and middle school in house activities This opportunity allowed high school students to serve as facilitators, leaders, and mentors for younger students - supporting and modeling the values of teamwork, empathy, and equity while aligning with the shared school mission of Character, Inquiry, and Community

APSEMINARANDAPHUMANITIESCOURSES

In the early years of the school, SJA Jeju primarily offered AP courses in the math, science, and art domains. Starting in the 2021-2022 academic year, AP classes in the History and English domains were introduced. With the introduction of AP English Literature and Composition and AP Seminar, this academic year showcases the culmination of a multi-year plan to help students thrive in rigorous language-based AP classes.

As most students at SJA Jeju are learning English as a second or third language, AP courses with intensive reading and writing components are particularly challenging. Starting in 2018-2019, the high school began implementing an English language curriculum to support the growth and development of EAL students with a vision that students would have the linguistic abilities to be successful in AP Humanities courses To support this initiative, English courses became mandatory for all 9th and 10th-grade students at the beginning of the 2021-2022 academic year

Today, 65 students are enrolled in AP Humanities courses and are participating in a rigorous and sophisticated curriculum that challenges students to read, write, speak, and present sophisticated ideas that are the hallmark of a liberal arts curriculum

EXPERIENTIALLEARNING

While students learn important and essential foundational skills in classrooms, high school students are also eager to apply these skills and abilities through experiential learning trips As a result, the 2023-2024 academic year saw SJA Jeju High School Students traveling to a wide range of experiential learning experiences - both domestically and internationally.

Jeju

Korea

International

Students visited locations in Jeju to participate in athletic, robotic, and MUN competitions. Students also applied their scientific learning by visiting and studying various locations on the island.

Students visited the mainland to compete in athletic, academic, robotic, and MUN competitions. Students also had the chance to participate in the National History Day competitions and attend a prominent Jazz workshop.

Experiencing and exploring art, language, and diplomacy, SJA Jeju High School sent students to Beijing, Bangkok, Taipei, and Tokyo this year. The benefits of learning from and with local experts, as well as experiencing the values and new cultures, make these international trips a highlight of the academic year for many students

MODELUNITEDNATIONS

The SJA Jeju Model United Nations club grew substantially this year Not only did student participation in the club increase significantly, but student leadership in the organization resulted in the hosting of two different conferences on SJA Jeju’s campus. Hosting a conference is a major milestone for the MUN organization. In addition, high school MUN students attended two conferences in the GEC and one conference in Seoul. Importantly, the high school MUN team also participated in THAIMUN - one of the most competitive and prestigious MUN conferences in Asia.

Participation in MUN allows students to improve their speaking, reading, writing, and research skills. Importantly, students also experience many opportunities to grow as student leaders, with upperclassmen taking on additional responsibilities that involve planning conferences and mentoring middle school students and underclassmen.

ADVISORY

This year, 43 different grade-level advisories continue to serve as the hub for community building, student support, mentorship, and connection for high school students

During advisory each week, students have the opportunity to participate in a community circle, check in with their advisor individually for a short academic conference, work with the College Counseling department on grade-level appropriate college exploration and application activities, and spend time together in an inclusive and supportive community

Mentorship and relationship building look different in each advisory, but, importantly, each advisor serves as a primary point of contact for students throughout their high school years and as an advocate and guide for each student As student enrollment has increased, this level of individual sustained attention for each student contributes to a division-wide focus on student wellbeing

A significant aspect of SJA Jeju High School is preparing students to matriculate to worldclass universities around the globe.

This year, we continued to expand our AP Course offerings and worked to make courses more accessible to a higher percentage of the student population In addition, the following new courses were introduced for the first time this year based on student feedback and a need to enhance our course offerings in a variety of subject areas

AP English Literature and Composition

AP Comparative Government and Politics

AP PreCalculus

AP Seminar

APCOURSES

Starting in 2024-2025, SJA Jeju will offer AP Research - completing the two class sequence needed for the AP Capstone Diploma.

COLLEGE COUNSELING

The high school college counseling program has thrived in the 2023-2024 academic year with the addition of two new College Counselors. With five college counselors on staff, the department was able to provide a wealth of individual guidance to students in grades 9 through 12 - a boutique college counseling experience that is unique among international schools.

East Coast College Visit tour - introducing SJA Jeju to prestigious American universities such as Harvard, MIT, Dartmouth, Brown, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, UPENN, Swarthmore, Johns Hopkins, and Georgetown

31% of 12th-grade students who applied for Early Decision were accepted into the university of their choice.

74 Universities facilitated on-campus or virtual information sessions for SJA Jeju students and families

College Counselors have facilitated about 700 individual meetings with students during the first semester and about 120 individual meetings with parents

Launching Junior and Senior Seminar – semester-long classes that provide age-appropriate university application guidance to each group of students

As St Johnsbury Academy Jeju continues to evolve and adapt to the dynamic landscape of education, the 2023-2024 academic year has been a testament to our unwavering commitment to achieving the objectives outlined in our strategic plan. Through targeted initiatives in professional growth, curriculum development, and collaborative practices, we have taken substantial steps toward realizing our vision for a community of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. These key accomplishments are each underpinned by a dedication to continuous improvement and strategic alignment

Expansion of PD Opportunities

Through increased professional development funds and travel allowances, educators attended international conferences, like WISE and ELLSA, gaining cutting-edge insights into educational strategies and trends.

Partnership with TC2

Collaboration with the Critical Thinking Consortium focused on embedding inquiry-based learning across curricula, enhancing students’ critical thinking and independent learning.

ISS EDU Learn Platform

Adopting this virtual learning platform provided flexible, professional growth opportunities, demonstrating our commitment to leveraging technology in education

Coordinators' Impact

The addition of division-specific curriculum and STEAM Coordinators has significantly advanced our curriculum review framework, ensuring relevance and engagement across all subjects.

Unconferences and LMS Development

Professional development on Wednesday allows SJA Jeju to develop curriculum and programming to improve teaching and learning These structured sessions have fostered interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of technology, particularly AI, into our curriculum.

The strategic endeavors undertaken during the 2023-2024 academic year have propelled St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju closer to realizing our strategic goals By focusing on elevating professional development, refining our curriculum, and enhancing collaborative practices, we have aligned with our mission and vision and set a precedent for future academic excellence. This journey underscores our dedication to providing an education that prepares our students not just for the challenges of today but for the opportunities of tomorrow.

SUSTAINEDPROFESSIONALGROWTHAND DEVELOPMENT

The scope of professional learning and achievements has significantly broadened beyond the foundational initiatives established in the 2022-2023 academic year Continuous investment in professional development funds has empowered educators at SJA Jeju to refine their pedagogical methodologies and enhance learning The provision of travel allowances has allowed faculty to attend and contribute to international conferences, further enhancing their professional practices A notable highlight for the 2023-2024 academic year included faculty attendance at the WISE (Women in International Schools Empowerment) Conference in February 2024. This initiative, led by Women for Women, aimed to empower aspiring and current female educators and professionals in international schools. In addition to WISE, teachers engaged in the ELLSA conference designed explicitly for EAL teachers, explored service learning methodologies, and attended various other global workshops. These opportunities were selected to align with our faculty's diverse needs and interests, ensuring they were equipped with the latest strategies, technologies, and trends in education.

Our continued partnership with the Critical Thinking Consortium (TC2) has strengthened our commitment to inquiry-based learning. During their visit to SJA Jeju in September, Garfield and Laura Gini-Newman focused on developing criteria to support thinking, assessments, and critical inquiry questions. Framing a curriculum around inquiry ensures quality teaching and learning and builds the capacity of students to be independent learners. In addition, we have started a leadership cohort with key staff members in each division to support and enhance current and future leadership.

To further support our faculty's professional development, SJA Jeju secured school-wide access to the ISS EDU Learn virtual learning platform. This platform offers synchronous and asynchron l i i i ll i h i f i l h their conv leveraging represent excellence

CURRICULUMDEVELOPMENTANDALIGNMENT

We are delighted to reflect on the substantial impact our curriculum coordinators have made on our educational programming this academic year. Their dedicated efforts have markedly enhanced curriculum development and alignment across all grade levels. The introduction of new stipend positions, including a Curriculum Coordinator for each division and a school-wide STEAM Coordinator, has proven to be a pivotal move in our strategic educational planning. The Curriculum and STEAM Coordinators have been crucial in the creation of a curriculum review framework, particularly notable in their work to establish a comprehensive curriculum review cycle for social studies. This initiative ensures that our educational offerings remain relevant, engaging, and aligned with the latest pedagogical research and societal developments.

The introduction of the instructional coach/accreditation coordinator position, scheduled to commence in the 2024-2025 academic year, is poised to play a crucial role in the accreditation process and the adherence to our strategic plan. This role will bridge the gap between our curriculum's theoretical framework and its practical application within classrooms, ensuring that teaching practices are innovative and align with the highest educational standards required for accreditation. The instructional coach will work closely with faculty to implement best practices, foster professional growth, and refine instructional strategies, directly enhancing our educational quality By ensuring that our curriculum delivery is aligned with our strategic goals, this position will be instrumental in maintaining our school's commitment to excellence and will support our journey toward achieving and surpassing accreditation benchmarks

ELEVATINGCOLLABORATION TOFOSTER EDUCATIONALEXCELLENCE

The 2023-2024 academic year saw an evolution in the collaborative practices at St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju. We have utilized our late start Wednesdays more effectively, organizing structured and strategic collaboration sessions. These sessions are dedicated to refining and expanding our curriculum to ensure it fully embodies the SJA Jeju mission and vision. Divided between divisional and all-school gatherings, this time has fostered a culture of continuous learning and collaboration across the school. Focus areas for the 23-24 school year have included the following:

A particular focus has been placed on the exploration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its burgeoning implications for education. This initiative has facilitated rich discussions and knowledge sharing on integrating technology effectively into our curriculum.

Our faculty engaged in "unconferences" centered around technology integration, allowing educators from different grade levels and subjects to share insights, strategies, and challenges in integrating technology into teaching and learning processes

Divisional sessions have been dedicated to the development of our Learning Management System, Chalk This effort ensures a consistent educational experience for our students, rooted in the SJA Jeju mission and vision

We undertook a comprehensive review of our unit and lesson planning templates This review was aimed at enhancing the consistency and effectiveness of teaching across all divisions, ensuring that every lesson delivered is aligned with our educational standards and pedagogical goals. By refining these templates, we have taken significant steps towards ensuring that all teaching within our institution is consistent, highquality, and reflective of our commitment to excellence in education.

The continued use of late start Wednesdays for these varied yet focused initiatives underscores our commitment to providing our teachers with the tools and knowledge necessary to adapt to the evolving educational landscape. It also highlights our dedication to building a curriculum that is not only forward-thinking but also deeply aligned with the needs and aspirations of our students.

Contributing to the smooth and efficient operation of SJA Jeju is a hardworking national staff, committed to the success and long-term sustainability of our school.

Within the organizational structure of the Business Office are six important Teams:

Finance & Management

Human Resources

Facilities & Operations

Procurement & Student Services

Information & Computer Technology

Registrar

Each team is a key component in providing the operational support needed for our teachers and students to succeed and thrive.

The 2023-2024 school year is replete with examples of our National staff going “the extra mile” to ensure the safe, secure, and effective operation of St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju.

FINANCE&MANAGMENT

The Management Team, led by Mr Won Soek Choi, guided the financial operations of SJA Jeju to another unqualified audit opinion An unqualified audit is a positive assessment given by an independent auditor It indicates that a company's financial statements are transparent and compliant with generally accepted accounting principles We are proud of our adherence to the rigorous financial and reporting standards and our compliance with JEINS and Korean government regulations.

The team provides training each fall to divisional staff on our Groupware budget system, prepares an updated Monthly Budget forecast for review and analysis, and monitors revenues, expenses, and the all-important cash flow for our school.

Last summer, the Finance and management team led the planning and coordination of our initial JDC Summer English Camp. Working closely with all teams and our academic divisions, SJA Jeju hosted over 900 students from across Jeju Island and the English Camp was acknowledged as a tremendous success by JEINS, JDC, and the POE

HUMANRESOURCES

This has been a year of change for our Human Resources team, as we welcome a new Team Leader, Mr Steve Lee, along with a transfer from our Housing team, Mr Sangjun Yoon, to the role of foreign staff coordinator, where he will be responsible for assisting staff with contracts, visas, benefits, and induction Recognizing that housing is critical, he will also use his experience in Housing to benefit the well-being of our staff; he will also serve as the HR liaison with that team. Mr. Lee previously served as a manager with the Finance & Management team.

In addition to over twenty new faculty, SJA Jeju has welcomed almost a dozen new administration staff and assistant teachers. Ms. Eun Jeong Kwak is primarily responsible for our local and national staff and coordinates HR interactions with JEINS.

In the midst of new staff contracts and monthly payroll, this is also the season for preparing and distributing 200+ annual tax statements. For the coming 2024-2025 school year, SJA Jeju is implementing an Employee Savings Plan that allows staff to directly contribute to their own personal savings account through the payroll process.

From medical exams to visas, bank accounts, orientation, working with Operations on housing and cell phones, and completing the induction process, our HR team exceeded expectations in welcoming all of our new employees and their families to the SJA Jeju community, and we have already begun preparing for the arrival of new staff for the 2024-2025 school year

In between the contracts and immigration work, our HR team organized a team-building outing for all Business Office staff and worked on building our community The recent teambuilding outing organized for the Business Office staff is a testament to their dedication not only to their work but also to fostering a strong and cohesive community within our organization We are fortunate to have a capable and dedicated team supporting our staff

FACILITIES&OPERATIONS

The daily work of the Facilities and Operations team keeps our school facilities functioning at a high level, in good repair, responding to each day’s “crises”, and continually planning for the future

The team is led by Mr. Daeho Koo, and embodying the spirit of the words from Herodotus, the work of our team is "stayed neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from accomplishing their appointed course with all speed..."

FACILITIES&OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

This school year has seen significant activity:

Multiple renovations and campus updates

New roof and waterproofing - completed!

Reception - completed!

SJA Jeju Spirit Store - in-process

Cafeteria & Cafe - completed!

Elementary Football Pitch - completed!

Residential Life - completed!

All-Weather Activity Field - completed!

ES Playground Surface - completed!

Resurface gymnasium floor - completed!

Improved security and campus access

The success of these infrastructure projects has been met with resounding approval from our parent, student, and staff communities.

These improvements elevate the functionality and aesthetics of our school and reinforce our commitment to providing a top-tier educational experience at St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju.

PROCUREMENT& STUDENTSERVICES

Reaching into every corner of our school to directly support our academic faculty and staff is our Procurement and Student Services Team, led by Mr Seung Cheon Oh

The team provides administrative assistance in each of the three school offices and handles purchasing, receipt of goods, verification of shipments, and distribution for all academic and programmatic related materials, including textbooks, supplies, assets, and support supplementals required by our SJA Jeju teaching staff.

The team is also directly responsible for coordinating transportation services for students and staff, food and catering services, medical services, and uniform contracts, along with assisting in planning school trips.

The team works particularly close with Operations and Finance to ensure best practices for accountability and economy.

INFORMATION& COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY(ICT

In just a few decades, computers and related technology have moved from a highly technical novelty to a ubiquitous integration into every classroom and aspect of teaching It is only possible to operate a modern school with the extensive use of technology -software, hardware, collaboration, wired, cloud, SAAS, or wireless.

The Information and Computer Technology team (ICT), under the guidance of Mr. Asif Abdul, is deeply connected to both Academics and Operations. Helping teachers integrate appropriate technology into classroom lessons, repairing a laptop, verifying email protocols, diagnosing network problems, or reconfiguring a printer is all in a day's work for the ICT Team.

In addition to keeping up with daily questions, repairs, and connectivity issues, the team continually prepares and plans for the future, including this year's full-scale upgrade and replacement of the existing SJA Jeju network. Maintaining the current systems and structures, along with planning for the "next" technology innovation, is crucial to ensure the adoption, implementation, and alignment of best practices for educational technology.

As St Johnsbury Academy Jeju entered its 7th year of operation at the beginning of 2023/24, we are coming closer to our target of total capacity Each year, our graduating classes have grown, and our students have successfully entered prestigious Korean and international universities worldwide This year is also our most significant class of G12 graduates, with 90 students graduating

2024 is also our first cohort of University graduates and opens up a new opportunity for the school to network and create events for all our alumni as they move into the workforce We look forward to introducing the SJA Vermont Alumni to our new SJA Jeju Alunmi and helping mentor them as they start their working lives after university We also will engage our University graduates to become mentors for future SJA Jeju graduates

Recruitment for the following year began rapidly, with the completion of round 1 applicants on the 1st of December, 2023 and initial offers were made to the successful round 1 applicants at the end of January for 24/25 entry We also had our first onsite assessments since COVID-19 with PreK-3 and PreK-4 applicants, which was a successful event Children who applied undertook an in-class assessment with the Early Childhood teachers, and afterwards, the parents and children toured the Elementary school. Offers were made to successful students shortly after, and we had a substantial acceptance rate.

Additional spaces in all other grades were offered for 24/25 entry, and we await our re-enrolment in March 2024 for the next academic year.

Thisacademicyear,theschoolisalsohappytoannouncethatwenow havestudentsfromover17differentcountries,includingKorea,attending theschool,withthebiggestgroupsbeingfromtheUSandChina.

EVENTS-MARKETING&ADMISSIONS

To attain continued growth, the Admissions and Marketing teams have been working diligently on several new events to ensure that we stay in front of our target markets through various channels such as social media, online campaigns via Naver, Instagram, Facebook, Google, and news articles in order to achieve sustained growth.

In 2023, we were fortunate to be chosen for two TV shows in Korea. One was on TVN, focusing on GEC schools, and the second was a TV Chosun documentary show which focused on comparisons between economic and educational zones in Sweden and South Korea and examined their respective achievements in these areas. This promoted the school on a larger platform, increased interest in SJA Jeju, and allowed us to showcase our outstanding students and the facilities at their best. This opportunity encouraged us to increase our media presence on TV and other areas next year to make the school more visible and accessible to families all over Korea

This year, we began our School info sessions in Seoul in October with our board member Jack Cummings from Vermont presenting. This gave the audience an excellent opportunity to see information about our homeschool and the strong connections between SJA Vermont and SJA Jeju. Admissions will hold in-person events this spring in Seoul, Busan, and Daegu to meet and present to interested families.

In 2023/24, we admitted more international students than in the previous year and increased our nationalities to 17, including students from Colombia and Mongolia, for the first time. These added nationalities will increase our student diversity and enrich the students' experiences attending SJA Jeju.

The Admissions team will be visiting several large cities in Asia and attending education events in Taipei, Shanghai and Beijing to broaden our student population in 24/25 We also plan to visit and recruit students from additional countries next year, such as Japan, Vietnam and other suitable markets The Admissions and Marketing team are working to show families that we are an authentic American school with a U S home school and provide a premier American education in Korea We look forward to the next year in recruitment.

SEASON FALL

In year two after covid-19, everything is operating as normal. We started off the year by co-hosting our first international tournament with Korean International School Jeju, known as the Jeju Invitational Tournament - Volleyball. We had teams from mainland Korea, Beijing, Hangzhou, and Taipei. Our boys' team came in 3rd place, and our girls placed 5th.

Another first for our athletes was that our MS Baseball team had their first game and was successful in getting their first win.

Our tennis team hosted their first school from the mainland as Humphreys High School, a DoD School, visited for a match. Our team then traveled to their school the following weekend to play against them and Yongsan International School of Seoul.

Our lacrosse team traveled to nationals and placed 5th place in Korea They are a young team with only one and a half years of experience and are making huge strides

Our tennis teams were also very successful this fall For the KISAC Tournament, we placed 1st for both boys and girls!

We look forward to an exciting future, hosting more tournaments and traveling internationally!

In season 2, we will have fewer sports, but our students will stay active! Table Tennis was newly introduced last year; we have over 25 students involved with the team from grades 6-12! We are excited about the KISAC tournament for them in March

Our basketball teams have had successful regular season-friendly matches against the other GEC schools Our Varsity boys team is undefeated, and our girls are 2-2 Both teams are excited about the KISAC tournaments, with SJA Jeju hosting the varsity boys' tournament

MS Boys volleyball is continuing where they left off last year. They are a very strong team and are undefeated on the season. The MS girls are 1-1 on the year with one more game remaining before the end-of-the-year tournament.

Our ES Ice Hockey team had their first tournament and came away with their first win against BHA. They placed 5th out of 6 teams.

Our Swim team participated in SJA Jeju's first-ever international competition. They traveled to the British International School Phuket for a Swim meet with over 300 competitors!

SJA Jeju's robotics team secured victory at the 2024 Korean National Tournament, advancing all four teams through qualifiers One team clinched the championship, showcasing the school's commitment to inquiry-based learning They now prepare to compete at the World Championship in Dallas, Texas, USA, in April, marking a significant achievement for the school's ethos

SEASON WINTER

SEASON SPRING

High School Sports Middle Sch

Boys and Girls Soccer

Boys and Girls Basketball

Badminton Boys and Girls Golf

Swimming Swimming

Track and Field

Baseball

Track and Field

Boys and Girls Tennis

Lacrosse Robotics

Robotics

The Spring season starts at the end of February for the High School teams and mid-March for the Middle School Teams

Baseball will continue getting more games with travel to Humphreys High School in Pyeongtak and an international trip to the International School of Bangkok

Lacrosse is excited for the national tournament in the spring They are excited to improve on their 5th-place finish in the fall

Our track and field team will also be traveling for the first time

Middle School tennis will be new for the 20232024 school year. We look forward to developing our teams.

For the rest of the year, our teams are excited to compete. We will host many events like Badminton, Track, and MS Tennis and travel to our KISAC competitions in Jeju, along with trips to Busan and Daegu.

We look forward to a great end of the year.

AFTER-SCHOOLACTIVITIES

Building off last year's success with schedule adjustments and timetables, we have seen the students enjoy all our facilities and ASAs.

The elementary after-school activities have excelled, offering opportunities like VEX Robotics and sport-specific clubs meeting twice a week These programs focus on skill development, fostering teamwork, critical thinking, and physical wellness among students

Middle school has elevated its extracurricular offerings this past year by introducing a variety of student-led ASAs, including Model United Nations and Eco-School initiatives, fostering leadership and civic engagement among students

High school extracurricular activities (ASAs) have flourished with numerous student-led initiatives, providing opportunities for students to hone leadership skills through activities such as event planning, volunteering, public speaking, and mentorship

We are excited about all these clubs and the skills our students will develop outside the classroom

MOVINGFORWARD

Next year, we look forward to adding a competitive E-sports team at the MS and HS Level. Students will learn about different games and compete with other international schools in our area.

In the coming year, we aim to broaden our horizons by attending more international tournaments and expanding our athletic and ASA events beyond the island Our goal is to offer students enriching experiences and exposure to diverse cultures

EVOLUTIONOF THECOLLEGEAPPLICATIONSUPPORTPROGRAM (CASP)

The College Application Support Program (CASP) has matured significantly since its inception, transitioning from a conceptual stage to a fully operational and impactful initiative. As a vital part of the Residential Life program at SJA Jeju, CASP has ingrained itself as a mandatory element for students in Grades 6 to 10, underscoring its importance in our educational framework.

ThedecisiontomakeCASPmandatory wasdrivenbyacommitmentto formalizetheprogramandenhanceitsefficacy Byensuringconsistentattendance,CASPprovides studentswithstructuredopportunitiesforgrowthanddevelopment,aligningseamlesslywithour broadereducationalobjectives.Thiscompulsoryaspectoftheprogramhelpsinbuildingadisciplined approachamongstudentstowardstheirextracurricularengagements,therebyaddingsubstantial valuetotheirlearningexperience.

TherecruitmentofproctorsforCASPhas beenstrategicallyalignedwiththeirskill sets,ensuringthateachproctorbringssomethinguniqueandvaluabletotheprogram Thisapproach hasfacilitateddiverselearningexperiencesforstudents,cateringtoabroadspectrumofinterestsand talents Furthermore,thedevelopmentoflocalcontacts,suchascollaborationswithJejuFurey,Olle Trail,andBeachCleanuporganizations,hasexpandedtheprogram'sreachandimpact,providing studentswithreal-worldexperiencesandopportunitiestoengagewiththecommunity

Studentswhodemonstratea commitmenttoCASPbyattendingover 90%ofthesessionsreceiveaccreditation,whichtheycanincludeintheirstudentportfolios.This recognitionnotonlyacknowledgestheirdedicationbutalsocategorizestheirparticipationintermsof skills,volunteering,orsportingachievements,therebyenhancingtheircollegeapplicationsandfuture opportunities.

Parentsurveyshaveindicatedstrong supportforCASP.Initiallymetwithsome resistance,theprogramhasnowbecomeacornerstoneofourResidentialLifeprogram,withparents recognizingitsbenefitsandeffectiveness Thissupportfromparentshasbeeninstrumentalinthe program'ssuccessandcontinuousimprovement

OneofthekeyadvantagesofCASPfor boardingstudentsoverdaystudentsis thestreamlinedprocessofachieving40hoursperyearthroughorganizedactivitiesthatalignwith theircollegeapplicationneeds.Thisstructuredapproacheliminatestheneedfororganizingindividual activitiesoutsidetheprogram,allowingstudentstoselectactivitiesthatbestsuittheirgoals.Inthe longterm,theaimistotransitionCASPintoaproctorandstudent-ledinitiative,furtherenhancingits relevanceandeffectiveness.

UPDATINGOFASSETS

FURNITUREREPLACEMENTANDSPACEREDESIGN

Our efforts to enhance the living environment have led to the disposal of outdated and broken furniture. We have transformed the previous study room into a vibrant common room This new space is multifunctional, serving as a cinema room, an area for relaxation, and a place for formal dorm meetings It's also used for sports and study, maximizing utility and comfort To complement this, we've created smaller, more intimate study rooms on each floor, tailoring these spaces to cater to the diverse needs of our students

DOORLOCKREPLACEMENTFORENHANCEDSECURITY

Addressing ongoing issues with our door locks, we've embarked on a phased replacement process. This year, we've replaced 45 door locks in each dormitory, selecting models that are fit for purpose and enhance safety. The new locks not only provide improved security but also resolve the issue of the previous models being out of production and prone to failures. The working locks from the old system have been retained as spares, ensuring we have a backup in case of any issues. The next phase, scheduled for the following year, will continue this improvement process.

CREATINGMULTI-FUNCTIONALSTUDENTSPACES

Through these updates, we've aimed to create spaces that are not just functional but also adaptable to various student activities The newly designed areas are more inviting and are being utilized for a wide range of purposes, from leisure to academic activities This evolution of our assets reflects our commitment to providing a supportive and dynamic living and learning environment for our students

CHANGESTODORMCULTURE

Deepening LastYear'sSystems

Our dorm culture has seen a significant shift from the previous year. The systems introduced are now deeply ingrained, marking a shift in daily interactions. Respectful communication and positive engagement have become routine, moving us away from a 'hotel checkin/check-out' mentality to a genuine sense of community.

BalancedApproach toDiscipline

We have successfully implemented a system of sanctions and rewards that aligns with our community values The introduction of 'Plus Points' has been a game-changer, incentivizing students to contribute positively to dorm life. This system is complemented by clear, consistent consequences for certain actions, helping students understand the importance of their choices and behavior.

Creating aSupportiveCommunity

One of our most notable achievements is the transformation of the dormitory atmosphere. Older students have taken on mentorship roles, exemplified by initiatives like the Science Experiment club led by Grade 11 students for middle schoolers This shift has fostered a supportive and collaborative environment where students learn from and help each other.

ProctorRecruitment andContributiontoCASP

Our approach to proctor recruitment now emphasizes their potential contribution to the College Application Support Program (CASP) We focus on recruiting individuals who can offer more than supervision – those who can serve as teachers and mentors. This approach has been shaped by the skills and interests expressed by students and parents, aiming to enrich the CASP offerings. The strength of our current proctor team is evident, with three members advancing within the school next year

RESIDENTIALLIFECONCLUSIONS

ContinuousImprovementinAllAreas

Our dormitory has witnessed remarkable improvement in virtually all areas, including facilities, student retention, overall happiness, and food quality. These enhancements reflect our commitment to providing our students with an exceptional living and learning environment.

CreatingaTrueDormitoryCommunity

We have successfully transformed the space into more than just a residence; it's now a vibrant community. The sense of togetherness, trust, and camaraderie among the students is palpable. This community spirit is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.

RiseinBoardingNumbers

We proudly report that our boarding numbers are at an all-time high (particularly at this time of the year) The steady increase in students choosing to board with us this year indicates our success and sets a promising trajectory for surpassing the 150student mark next year. This growth is fueled by the clarity of structure and vision that drives our dormitory's operations.

PartneringwithParents

Establishing robust partnerships with our boarding parents is crucial for fostering a supportive and enriching environment for students. Collaborative relationships with parents can significantly impact students' well-being, academic success, and overall experience at school Open communication, mutual respect, and shared involvement in the students' educational journey are fundamental elements of these partnerships. At SJA Jeju, working closely with parents helps us gain valuable insights, address individual student needs more effectively, and create a sense of community that enhances the overall educational experience for the students.