“The Birthplace of Korean Women's Higher Education”

Ewha Girls' Foreign Language High School is founded on a proud tradition of leading the modern education of Korean women.

In 1886, Mary Scranton, a young missionary from the United States of America, arrived in Seoul hoping to establish an academic institute for Korean women. On May 31st, 1886, with the help of various Korean officials and patrons, Mrs. Scranton was able to open the very first women's academy in Korea.

Though the school had only one student in the beginning, the classes grew in size as more and more talented young women quenched their thirst for learning. In 1887, the then Korean Emperor Ko-jong bestowed a special name for this novel institute: Ewha Academy. Ewha, which means ‘pear-tree blossom', is a traditional Korean symbol of purity and prudence.
Ewha stood firmly as an independence-promoting academy during the following turbulent years which included the Japanese rule and the three-year Korean War.  In 1991, the Ewha Academy received permission from the Department of Education to establish the Ewha Girls' Foreign Language High School. Starting out with six majors (two English, one German, one French, one Chinese and one Japanese class), the EGFLHS administered its first entrance examination on November 10th, 1991.

On March 2nd, 1992, under the new principal Miss Shim Chee-Sun, 308 freshmen enrolled at EGFLHS. The Foreign Language High School has been flourishing ever since, and is under the direction of the third and current principal, Mr. Chang Duck-Hee enrolls over 600 students.  The majority of faculty members are graduates of Korea's top universities and graduate schools, which guarantees EGFLHS students a high-quality education unmatched by any other high school in the nation.

In April 2002, the Ewha Global Challenge (EGC) was established for 30 ambitious students who desired to attend prestigious universities abroad.  These students attended approximately 15-20 hours of supplementary classes every week and went on to be matriculated at at many well known colleges around the world.  Today the Ewha Global Challenge educates almost 60 young women through a rigorous curriculum which prepares them for college level study.  Courses include Analytical Reading and Writing, Logic, Debate and Public Speaking, Composition, U.S. History, World History, Literature, Math and Chemistry, all of which are taught in English.  

In an atmosphere of teamwork, students collaborate by combining their reasoning and creative capabilities to work on class projects and assignments.  A heavy emphasis is also placed on teaching college level writing and language skills that will enable them to succeed at foreign universities.  

In addition to the academic courses offered at the EGC, students are taught the importance of maintaining balance in their lives by dedicating time to their mental and physical health.  Morning Tae Kwon Do classes promote physical discipline and teach self defense while volunteer work at a local hospital allows opportunities for service and reaching out to others in the community.

It takes great effort to excel in a dual education of both Korea and English while also remaining active in outside interests.  However, the students of the EGC have developed essential time management skills that allow them to pursue an advanced education while still enjoying their high school years.  

EGC girls graduate as refined, well-rounded individuals who are eager to share their insights as well as learn from those around them. By blending aspects of their Confusion-based heritage with modern western ideology, they will be able to balance the demands in their lives to become future women leaders of the 21st century in college and in life.