A ground-breaking ceremony recently in Songdo, South Korea marked the beginning of construction for the New Songdo City International School (NSCIS). The school will be the first international educational institution in the nation’s free economic zone and will cooperate in a partnership with Milton Academy to develop academic programs and exchanges for students and teachers. John Warren, special assistant to the head of school, joined Korean government officials and Deputy Prime Minister Han Duk-soo at the event on March 8, 2006.

The NSCIS curriculum will be modeled after that of Milton Academy, specifically, as well as other outstanding private schools in the United States and the United Kingdom. The international accreditation will allow for students to transition easily between NSCIS, other private schools, and leading universities.

John says of the partnership between Milton and NSCIS, "We at Milton Academy are very pleased about the progress of New Songdo City International School and are happy to be associated with it. We are convinced that the partnership between Milton Academy and NSCIS will improve international education and world understanding at both institutions."

The need for this type of school arose from an expression of need among expatriates and international entrepreneurs living in Korea for better medical services and educational opportunities. NSCIS will respond to this need in part by offering a competitive English-language, K-12 academic program administered by teachers from all over the world at a ratio of approximately 10 students per teacher. The school will be able to accommodate 2,100 students on its 18-acre campus and is scheduled to open in September of 2008.