Poongsan High School in Andong Approved as IB Candidate School Where Students Learn and Grow Independently... First in Gyeongbuk Region

by Gu Daeseon

Published 20 Nov.2025 09:44(KST)

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education (Superintendent Lim Jong-sik) announced on November 20 that Poongsan High School in Andong (Principal Lee Joonseol) has been officially approved as a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP), the high school-level IB curriculum.

This marks the first time a high school in the Gyeongbuk region has been approved as an IB candidate school, representing a historic first step in aligning Gyeongbuk-style high school education innovation with global educational standards.

Diploma Program class scene at Poongsan High School

Poongsan High School has long implemented student-centered education, actively operating classes based on critical thinking and inquiry. Activities such as essay writing, descriptive assessments, discussion-based classes, and problem-solving learning have gone beyond rote memorization to strengthen students’ abilities to think and explore independently. The school’s educational philosophy closely aligns with the IB’s emphasis on critical thinking and inquiry-based learning.

Beginning with its designation as an IB Interested School for the 2024 academic year, Poongsan High School accelerated its preparations for IB adoption. Above all, to secure the core element of IB education-teacher expertise-the school has continuously promoted completion of the IB Educator Certificate (IBEC) programs at Handong Global University and Inha University, subject- and role-specific workshops, and special training sessions with IB experts. These efforts have systematically enhanced teachers’ instructional and assessment capabilities. This preparation process, created collaboratively by the entire school community, laid the foundation for educational innovation and was a key factor in achieving candidate school status.

The DP (Diploma Program) being pursued by Poongsan High School is regarded as the “crown jewel” of IB, recognized worldwide as the highest-level high school curriculum. The DP fosters students’ critical thinking, research skills, writing abilities, and global citizenship through a comprehensive educational framework. Poongsan High School aims to use this program as a platform to nurture global talent capable of advancing beyond Korea and onto the world stage.

Superintendent Lim Jong-sik stated, “Poongsan High School’s approval as a DP candidate school is a significant achievement symbolizing a qualitative leap in high school education in Gyeongbuk. We will continue to provide unwavering support so that IB-style education, where students learn and grow independently, can spread throughout the region.”

Meanwhile, starting in 2025, the Gyeongbuk Office of Education will officially operate 10 IB Interested Schools and has achieved the milestone of having a total of nine elementary, middle, and high schools approved as IB candidate schools. This represents a nationwide leading case of rapid IB expansion, demonstrating that the Gyeongbuk-style IB educational ecosystem-built through collaboration among schools, local education offices, and the provincial office of education-has been firmly established.

Going forward, the Gyeongbuk Office of Education plans to continue supporting Poongsan High School’s DP authorization and the broader spread of IB education in the region by strengthening teacher expertise, supporting IB lesson assessment, improving school facilities and educational environments, and building an international learning ecosystem.