I think it doesn't matter which high school my child goes to. Hello, I'm Jeong Go-eun. In this session, I want to present a comprehensive guide on high school selection. This is actually the part that I get asked about the most. To be honest, considering the newly revised 202 curriculum and the current changes in medical school admissions and various college entrance policies, many parents are deeply concerned about high school selection. I've received numerous questions from people around me as well. In fact, I have seen so many inquiries regarding which high school our child should attend, both through other channels and various informational sessions. Additionally, on YouTube, many admission experts have produced various videos on this high school selection guide.

I looked at what you provided, and I thought I should give it a try. As someone who has a lot of information and data regarding entrance exams, especially for third-year middle school students, I felt it was necessary to organize my thoughts and share my own high school selection guide. So, I am planning to create a comprehensive high school selection guide. 

These days, the choice of high school is becoming increasingly important because the optimized college entrance examination system is determined by which high school you attend. I want to emphasize that attending a prestigious high school, such as a national private school or an international school, does not guarantee admission to a university. There are definitely students I couldn't help get into college, and there are also friends who returned after attending those schools. However, one thing that is guaranteed when you attend those schools is that you will likely have the opportunity to participate in the school’s academic track.

It's big, and what kind of paper is it? There's a high possibility of having a quality academic track. Now, if we go to a regular high school, it’s not like something terrible will happen or that we will fail. If we attend a regular high school, we can apply for the academic track. I believe this is the most significant point. If we go to a specialized high school, we need to make sure to apply for the academic track, so I think we should study hard for our grades and prepare thoroughly to achieve good results. Nowadays, regular high schools can also apply for comprehensive evaluations, so we can apply for the academic track as well. Rather than saying that one high school has a huge advantage or disadvantage, I think it’s better to understand that the main university admission methods will differ slightly. However, I must emphasize that parents need to watch this video.

I want to explain a bit more clearly for the viewers to understand. The major in question, whether abroad or here, doesn't matter if the writing or internal assessments don't come out; it ultimately lacks academic significance. Even if you go to a school, if you can't be part of the top half, you won't be able to apply for the academic evaluation process. This is because they won't be able to enroll in the schools they desire. 

Now, even in general high schools, is it enough to study alone? No, nowadays, general high schools are also mindful of the academic evaluation process, so naturally, students need to engage in activities. They need to participate in clubs, too. What I'm trying to convey here is that everything is relative. 

Firstly, I want to discuss three major criteria. The first is the career path and the child's grades, and the second is the child's learning style.

The third factor is the child's personality. Now, let's outline the three criteria we should consider when selecting a high school. First, we need to look at the relationship between the child's career path and their academic performance. When it comes to career paths, it is crucial to understand the child's inclination towards either the humanities or sciences. I know that many parents feel frustrated when I mention this, as it can be challenging to determine whether a child leans more towards the humanities or sciences. In today's context, there is a noticeable preference for science tracks, not only due to the trends in entrance exams but also because of the overall societal atmosphere. To be honest, students who perform well academically tend to favor subjects or majors related to the sciences. Frankly speaking, academically capable students usually excel in all subjects.

In that sense, there might not be any problems, but the core issue seems to be that it will inevitably come down to mathematics. Regarding math, mothers often ask questions like, When will the understanding become apparent? In my case, I believe that this understanding becomes clear once students begin advanced high school math. The important thing is that I have noticed a clear divide starting from high school for those friends who were able to keep up with math until middle school. Up until middle school, one could rely somewhat on memorization and a certain level of diligence to achieve good grades through memorizing formulas or types of problems. However, as they enter high school math, the complexity and depth increase significantly. How the child reacts or the output they produce becomes crucial.

It would be good to observe carefully whether the child shows any signs of reluctance. Even if the child does not particularly enjoy or excel at math, if they feel a similar level of difficulty in studying advanced topics compared to other subjects, or perhaps a bit more fatigued, that is not a concern. However, if the child experiences significant resistance or begins to feel a sense of fear towards math, struggling considerably, then it might be worth considering whether the child leans more towards the humanities. 

If the child finds high school math quite challenging, and if they excel in subjects like Korean or social studies, it would be reasonable to think of them as someone more inclined towards the humanities.

If we talk about friends, it's natural that when choosing a school, foreign language high schools or international high schools may be advantageous. The reason for this is obvious, as mothers also know, but once you attend a foreign language or international high school, the competition becomes among friends in the liberal arts track. These days, even if you go to a general high school, you still have to compete with students in the science track. This is because we are currently in a generation where the liberal arts and sciences are integrated. In that sense, if you think you belong to the liberal arts track, attending a foreign language or international high school allows you to compete with friends who have similar tendencies or personalities. Of course, just because you attend a foreign language or international high school doesn't mean you can neglect math. This is something you must understand, as high school students in South Korea preparing for college entrance exams cannot ignore math at all.

To succeed in mathematics at an international school, you need to excel in math. Schools that focus on math can actually be advantageous if you are good at it. In this regard, studying math is essential, but the competition your child faces may vary. I wanted to mention this point. If your child is inclined towards science, there are many options available, including national private high schools, regional private high schools, and general high schools. Since many students from these schools are well-prepared, you can expect a wider range of choices when it comes to selecting a school. In this situation, the distribution of grades is quite diverse, so if we were to categorize them, we could separate them into the top tier and the upper middle tier.

I will explain why I consider myself to be in the top, upper-middle, and middle ranks. When it comes to applying to foreign language high schools, international schools, or prestigious private schools, students who excel in key subjects can apply to all of them. However, the distribution of these students is incredibly broad. When I refer to the top rank, I mean those students who achieve overwhelming results across all subjects, typically ranking within the top five of their entire school. I call these students the elite top tier. Students in this elite top tier tend to perform well no matter which school they attend. A characteristic of students in the elite top tier is that their performance is not dependent on the school they choose. In fact, for a student to be considered in this elite top tier, they must already be performing at a high level.

Since middle school, I've been very meticulous about my assignments and have performed well, which can lead to a top-tier status. Therefore, I believe I can adapt well and likely succeed in the academic track. Being in the top tier means that these students have a significant academic influence, so I think they will also have good adaptability in competitive situations. On the other hand, if such students attend a regular high school, they have been accustomed to scoring nearly perfect in all subjects since middle school, often missing only one question. They are quite familiar with studying diligently, so I think they wouldn't struggle significantly regardless of which school they attend. However, I believe that this top-tier status represents about 1% of the entire student body. The remaining 10% to 15% may not be in the absolute top tier, but they are still considered high achievers.

Middle school students who are performing quite well academically may find that their output can vary depending on the school they attend. Understanding the distribution of high academic performance can help in making school decisions. If a student is achieving scores through performance evaluations and activity assessments, somewhat compensating for their grades, then they might be more suited for a school with an activity-based learning approach. This could help them adapt better when attending a school that emphasizes such methods. This is because, in schools with a focus on activity-based learning, the weight of performance assessments is significantly higher, and actively participating in clubs and group activities becomes crucial for their overall development.

There are cases where students feel a lot of stress regarding active learning. While writing may not be a problem, performing can lead to a significant drop in their grades, creating a feeling of frustration. This is particularly true for students from specialized high schools or international schools, as they may not receive an overall grade if they fail to meet certain criteria. In such cases, it might be better for these students to attend regular high schools. From this perspective, it seems that high-achieving students can be categorized based on their experiences. 

Next, we have students who fall into the middle to upper-middle tier. These are students who have managed to keep up with their studies, but just barely. They can apply to various schools, but they are not performing overwhelmingly well; they are just getting by. The question then arises: what should we do for these students?

Now, I believe that the child's personality will have some influence here. If the child has a somewhat easygoing personality, is less sensitive to external stimuli, and has a bit of competitiveness, I think it would be acceptable to send them to a specialized high school or an international school. In fact, it may not be easy for them to adapt to such schools, but there are definitely students who show an upward trend in their grades. The characteristic of these students who improve their grades in such schools seems to be their personality. When students from the middle to upper-middle tier enter these schools, it is natural that their grades may not be good at first. During middle school, no matter how much they barely passed or received average grades, they were still considered excellent students or among those who studied quite well at their previous school.

You might not have experienced receiving grades, so your mental state could be quite fragile. However, what’s important here is enduring this and finding your way while attending that school. There were friends who managed to find their path in that environment. For those who have a certain temperament or personality, simply being in school can help them build their school records to some extent. In such situations, if you try to adapt to the school and succeed in doing so, your grades can ultimately improve. I believe that when you endure, you gain something from the school. The schools themselves generally have good programs and resources. Alongside this, I wanted to mention one last point related to the child's desire to pursue further education. Here, the desire to advance refers to the child's intention to attend this school.

They want to go, and if they manage to get into this school, they try to take responsibility for their own choices, even if they are just kids. Ultimately, they end up looking for some sort of survival strategies to endure in school. In that process, not everyone improves their grades, but there are definitely cases that create tremendous drama. However, if a student applies to this school without a strong desire to continue their education, just because they got good grades, and they get in purely by chance, they might take an exam as soon as they enter and receive a grade they have never seen before. At that point, their mental state can break down, leading them to question why they are even at this school. This can cause them to complain to their parents, creating quite a scene. So, if a child's personality is accompanied by a desire to continue their education, even if their grades are...

I think that even if you feel somewhat anxious about your child's academic capabilities, it might be worth trying it out at least once. I have discussed the aspects related to the child's academic capabilities, and the second most important key point is the child's learning style. Regarding learning styles, it relates to the child's self-directed academic influence. The moment they enter high school, self-directed academic influence becomes crucial for them as high school students. This is because the level difference between middle school and high school is significant; more than anything, the amount of study increases, and the depth of knowledge becomes more profound. Therefore, it is essential for them to assess their own academic performance, reflect on their weaknesses, and try various methods to address those gaps. In that process, they can find a study method that suits them and derive results from it. It truly involves planning, executing, modifying, and then going back to refine the approach.

Metacognitive self-directed learning is extremely important. However, most prestigious private schools and foreign schools across the country now include dormitories. The role of these dormitories is inherently one that requires a significant amount of self-directed academic influence. For instance, in schools like Hana High School, students can only leave the dormitory once a month. On the other hand, schools like Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies or Sangsan High School allow students to leave once a week. 

From this, we can infer that depending on the dormitory system of the schools, if a school allows students to leave once a week, it means that if there is a subject in which a student is struggling, they can attend a private academy. However, in a school with a dormitory system that only allows students to leave once a month, even that option can be completely blocked. Therefore, if...

If you have a friend who is thinking about such a school, it might be even more important for them to have a self-directed approach to their studies. With that, I will conclude the explanation of the second learning style and move on to the third, which is about personality and tendencies. I have to be a bit cautious when discussing this because a child's personality and tendencies can change. So, what I tell the kids is that they should try to change. To conclude, for children who are temperamentally sensitive and anxious, I have always observed that if they try to avoid those thoughts, while they may not become as unaffected as those who are naturally laid-back, there is definitely a noticeable reduction in their sensitivity or anxiety. I believe that to some extent, this can be improved through effort. Nonetheless, for those with high sensitivity or anxiety, this style can be quite challenging.

In cases where students enter specialized high schools and face academic competition, they can experience significant stress when comparing themselves to friends. It might be better to attend a regular high school, where they can study in a more familiar environment, enjoy home-cooked meals, and commute to school, which could provide better mental stability. This is related to the discussion about qualitative sensitivity and anxiety. Additionally, I will touch upon excessive perfectionism. Generally, outstanding students tend to have perfectionistic tendencies, which is natural. It is crucial for them to produce output and meet their own standards. However, when perfectionism manifests poorly, it often leads to losing sight of priorities. As I mentioned regarding middle school, the volume of academic work...

Because there aren't that many, if one sets their mind to it, they can achieve the quality of performance evaluations they desire or study as much as they want. However, in the case of specialized high schools or autonomous private high schools, there are many things to manage simultaneously while following their own paths. At the same time, one has to study for the academic performance evaluation, and there may also be the college entrance exam to consider. If perfectionism manifests in a way that prevents one from distinguishing priorities well, they may end up focusing only on what they are interested in and neglecting everything else. This can lead to extremely poor efficiency. Therefore, when entering such schools, it is crucial to quickly identify what needs to be prioritized and invest energy accordingly. In fact, this kind of perfectionism often relates to inherent sensitivity.

Many cases stem from anxiety, which is why I am bringing this up. As I mentioned, when students go to specialized high schools, they may experience greater stress or find it harder to adapt. Therefore, I suggest that attending a regular high school might be a better option. However, it's important to note that even in a regular high school, students with this kind of personality will inevitably have a high stress level. I believe it would be beneficial for both the parents and the student to have a serious conversation to ensure that the student enters high school in a somewhat relaxed state.

Lastly, I would like to address the child's personality and tendencies, particularly regarding competitiveness. In such schools, students who are generally adaptable tend to have a very peaceful disposition.

Some friends who lack insight often believe that this kind of school is suitable for them. However, the term indifference that I'm referring to is obviously very different from a lack of thought. While sensitivity to external stimuli may decrease, self-esteem remains high. Therefore, in any case, I want to prove my own worth within this group, and this competitive spirit is undoubtedly necessary. Lastly, there is diligence. No matter which school you attend, this is very important, but especially in specialized high schools or autonomous private schools, there can be a misconception. Some people might think that since there are many flashy activities, those who enjoy active participation—like those with an extroverted MBTI type—will all get along well.

It is not incorrect to say that such activities are meaningful, but the important thing is that for these activities to have significance, you must not forget that your academic performance must be solid. In these schools, ultimately, achieving good grades is a matter of effort and diligence, and we must remember this. No matter how much you serve as the student council president or participate in dozens of clubs, and even if you write countless reports, if those activities do not contribute to your academic performance, they hold little meaning. Of course, this can vary depending on the university level, but the most fundamental aspect is the ability to consistently manage your grades over two and a half years of high school. I believe this diligence is one of the most important qualities needed to attend such schools. So, I've discussed various aspects of high school selection guidance, and honestly, the mothers...

How many thoughts do you have regarding the choice of high school? This decision is particularly significant these days, as it is closely linked to college admissions. However, I would like to mention two things. First, while the choice of high school is incredibly important, and as someone involved in specialized high school admissions, I believe it doesn't matter which high school a child attends. As I mentioned, regardless of which high school they go to, we can prepare for college admissions according to that school's characteristics. Therefore, I think it is unnecessary for our children to feel a sense of defeat from the very beginning of the middle school admission process. I believe it is essential to consider this aspect. 

Next, the second point concerns the child's personality and temperament. Everything I have mentioned can change.

There is certainly a possibility that it can happen. As I teach children every year, I often reflect on how a child can show such growth by December. There have been many students who have made me think deeply about this every year. In that sense, everything I mentioned is indeed very important information, but at the same time, it can change at any moment depending on the child's will and ambition. Therefore, I hope that parents will take this into account and have serious conversations with their children multiple times regarding high school selection. With that, I will conclude my video on high school selection guidance. If you have any questions related to this, please feel free to reach out through the comments or my KakaoTalk channel. I will do my best to respond as time allows. Thank you.

[고교 선택 가이드] 고등학교 선택은 이걸로 끝냅니다!

목동에서 특목고 입시 13년차 강사로 누적 합격생 1,000명을 배출한 정고은입니다!
입시 정보의 평등을 위해 저만의 노하우와 생생한 정보로 다양한 교육 정보를 전달드리겠습니다 :)

▶︎ 특목고 입시 준비 막막하신가요?
고은쌤의 입시 컨설팅과 5월 특강으로 시작하세요!

[ 입시 컨설팅 신청 ]
📝 https://smartstore.naver.com/themoment_jc/products/9905960617

[ 5월 특강 신청 ]
📝 https://smartstore.naver.com/themoment_jc/products/10173958689

✉️ 입시 / 강연 / 컨설팅 / 비지니스 등 문의
메일 : jungcons@gmail.com
카톡 채널 : http://pf.kakao.com/_qUKiG
 
📢정고은입니다 SNS에서 다양한 정보를 확인하세요!
카톡 채널 : http://pf.kakao.com/_qUKiG
블로그 : https://blog.naver.com/teacher_junggoeun
인스타그램 : https://www.instagram.com/junggoeun_official


[고교 선택 가이드] 고등학교 선택은 이걸로 끝냅니다!

Scripts