“Freedom” rings louder than “studying” here at Donghwa High School. Since 2001 Donghwa High School has been known as the school with the best students in its province. Yet, ask the students and parents. They will tell you it is about freedom.
Donghwa High School fosters a unique atmosphere. It reduces stress and violent incidents. It also achieves high test scores. One parent noted her child experiences a peaceful school life thanks to club activities. This contrasts with the overheated college entrance competition in areas like Seoul.
Imagine the entrance ceremony. Teachers and student representatives forfeit a spring vacation day. The ceremony starts at 2:00 p.m. with school life instructions. It extends into the night with dinner and a concert featuring music graduates and the school rock band.
Donghwa High School boasts thirty-six clubs. Cooking film and skiing are included. Also dancing television newspaper and Korean folk music clubs. The Korean folk music club even performed in Malaysia in 2004. Local media noticed them.
Worried parents might think club activities distract from studies. However, Donghwa High School also offers specialized classes. These include intensive foreign language courses and essay-writing programs.
Students in intensive foreign language courses receive twice the average English class load. While not a foreign language high school Donghwa facilitates home-stay programs. Since 2002 students have studied abroad at sister schools in the U.S., Japan, and China during vacations.
One teacher studied the Japanese education system extensively. He surveyed students interested in studying abroad early. He guided them in language skills. Two students entered Waseda University and Meiji University last year. This year, two more were admitted into Kobe University and Meiji University in Japan.
The essay-writing program offers two courses. One is for all students. The other is optional. Schoolteachers even name their classes after themselves. Students choose which “team” to join. The Jung Il-hyun team meets four times a week at 7:40 a.m. It was designated a superior program.
One senior student feels more confident about college entrance exams. She feels she is improving thanks to the many writing courses.
Donghwa High School’s principal proudly states teachers constantly develop educational programs. They want to secure parents’ trust. Their long-term efforts are reflected in recent college entrance exam results. Donghwa High School continues to prioritize freedom and comprehensive education.