Rising Popularity of Private Elementary Schools Due to Multiple Applications and Online Lottery

Seoul Private Elementary Schools Begin Applications on 15th... Lottery Draw on 22nd
This Year, Online Lottery Instead of On-Site Draw
Multiple Acceptances Allowed, Parents Can Choose Preferred School
Extended Care Classroom Hours Increase Parent Preference

Gyesung Elementary School (Source: Excerpt from Gyesung Elementary School promotional video)

With the introduction of online lotteries due to overlapping applications caused by COVID-19, the popularity of private elementary schools is soaring. As the application method changes, prospective parents' interest is increasing, creating a competitive atmosphere.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and private elementary school principals on the 5th, applications for private elementary schools in Seoul will begin on the 15th. The lottery will be conducted via online live streaming starting on the 22nd. Following last year, online applications and lotteries are expected to increase the competition rate for private elementary school admissions this year as well.

Before COVID-19, applications were submitted on-site, and schools conducted public lotteries simultaneously on the same day, requiring applicants to be present at the lottery site to register. Parents had to visit their desired schools considering competition rates and admission chances. Thanks to the online lottery system continuing this year, even if applicants are accepted to multiple schools, they can choose their preferred school, providing parents with more options.

For the 2021 academic year, the admission competition rate for 38 private elementary schools in Seoul rose to 6.8 to 1, about three times higher than the previous year. Among private schools, prestigious schools such as Gyeseong Elementary School recorded a 15 to 1 ratio, Gyeongbok Elementary School 13 to 1, Gyeonggi Elementary School 10 to 1, and Lira Elementary School 10 to 1. Although the overall trend showed a gradual decline in competition rates due to a decrease in the school-age population, the impact of COVID-19 caused a rebound.

Private elementary schools charge monthly tuition fees in the 1 million KRW range, and although advantages such as restrictions on advanced learning have diminished compared to the past, they are being reevaluated due to COVID-19. They are highly regarded for their extensive after-school care programs and high-quality remote classes. Moreover, with overseas study becoming more difficult, more parents are choosing private elementary schools that offer greater autonomy in their curricula.

Parent A, who is a dual-income earner, said, "I naturally excluded public schools because I was looking for schools with well-established after-school care or extended care programs that allow me to pick up my child according to my work schedule." Parent B, in their 30s living in Gyeonggi-do, explained, "Many parents apply to private elementary schools because they want to avoid being assigned to overcrowded classes or modular classrooms."

An education industry official said, "Monthly tuition for private elementary schools is around 1 million KRW, similar to the cost of sending a child to an English kindergarten. Consequently, parents with the financial means tend to send their children to private elementary schools. Since private schools have no reason to insist solely on remote classes due to tuition fees, they tend to have more in-person classes."

However, it is uncertain whether the 2023 academic year admissions will also be conducted through online applications and lotteries. The admission process for new students is decided through consultation among private elementary school principals and approved by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. A Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education official stated, "Although the online lottery system was introduced due to COVID-19, the application and lottery method for next year has not yet been decided."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.