The guide I wish I had before I landed.

American schools usually begin in late August or early September. Summer break is long — often around three months — and winter break is much shorter.

The starting date varies by school, so always check the official school website for exact dates. For example, my high school's site: ths.tenaflyschools.org. Every U.S. high school has its own official site with useful info.

Summer

In Korea, students often just go to 학원s to reinforce academics. In the U.S., summer break could be the most strategic time to build up new extracurricular activities and prepare for exams like the SAT.

Winter

Winter break is short, and it's usually similar in length to other holiday breaks like Christmas break. My school had winter break in late January and Christmas break in late December.

Spring

Spring break is also short — about one week, usually in early April.

• Compared to Korea, you can move your grade up or down by half a year.
• ex) In 2026, a 'slow' 2010-born student and a 'fast' 2011-born student can both be in 9th grade together.
• I was born in July 2008, so I lowered my grade by half a year — finishing the first semester of Korean middle school 3rd year (중3) and then starting U.S. 9th grade in 2023.
• I recommend lowering the grade if possible — it gives you an extra year to prepare for the college admission process.
• College admissions usually start after junior year ends (the summer before senior year): finalizing extracurriculars, writing personal statements and supplemental essays, and researching colleges.

One of the most important people to understand in an American school is the school counselor. A counselor is not just someone you visit when you have a problem — they help with course selection, schedule planning, graduation requirements, college preparation, and adjusting to school life.

For Korean students, it's important to understand that the "homeroom" is not as significant in the U.S. as in Korea. Students don't usually interact much with their homeroom teacher (담임 선생님) unless that teacher also teaches them another subject. Instead, students go to school counselors for literally anything about school.

Counselors can help decide:

• Which grade you enter
• Which English level or ESL/ELL support you need
• Which math class you are placed into
• Whether you can take Honors or AP classes
• Whether your Korean transcript can be used for placement
• Whether you need placement tests
• Whether your schedule can be changed after school starts
• Whether you are on track for graduation
• What courses to take if you plan to apply to U.S. colleges

In the U.S., students are expected to speak directly with counselors and teachers. Parents can help, but students should learn to ask questions and explain their goals themselves. This is different from Korea, where decisions feel more centralized or parent-driven. In American schools, if you don't ask, people assume you're okay with your current placement.

• Students can buy food at school.
• Students can bring food from home.
• Some schools allow students to go outside during lunch to buy food.

U.S. high school usually runs from Grade 9 to Grade 12. Middle school structure varies by district — for example, my school had 6th, 7th, and 8th grade as middle school.

In the U.S., grades are not usually based only on midterms and finals. Homework, quizzes, class participation, projects, attendance, and teacher expectations all affect your final grade.

Grades are later calculated into GPA (Grade Point Average) — a number that summarizes your grades across classes. In many U.S. schools, letter grades are converted into points:

Most schools have a portal where both parents and students can view grades and overall school status. For example, my school used GENESIS.

• Unweighted GPA measures grades without considering class difficulty. An A in a regular class and an A in an Honors/AP class both count as 4.0.
• Weighted GPA gives extra value to harder classes (Honors, AP, IB). An A in an AP class counts higher than an A in a regular class.
• Colleges don't only look at GPA — they also consider course rigor (how challenging your classes were).

In American schools, the classes you take next year are often based on your performance in the previous year.

• ex) Your grade in Algebra 1 may decide whether you can take Geometry Honors or a higher-level math class next year. Performance in Biology, English, or History may decide Honors/AP recommendations later.
• There are placement tests for new transfer students so they can take courses appropriate to their level. Info is on the school's website or from the counselor.
• Even your middle school grades matter in deciding which U.S. courses you'll take.

Course selection may depend on:

• Previous year grades
• Teacher recommendations
• Placement test results
• School prerequisites
• Counselor approval
• Student interest and academic goals
• English ability, especially for reading- and writing-heavy classes

ex) To take AP Calculus in 11th or 12th grade, you may need a specific math sequence: Algebra 1 → Geometry → Algebra 2 → Precalculus → Calculus. If placed too low at the beginning, it becomes harder to reach advanced courses later.

Before school starts, check the school's Course Catalog or Program of Studies. Look at prerequisites for Honors and AP classes. If unsure, ask your counselor directly:

• What class am I eligible to take this year?
• What grade do I need to move to the next level?
• What classes should I take if I want to reach AP level later?
• Can I move up if I do well?
• Is there a placement test or summer work option?

ex) My school's Program of Studies (PDF).

Useful Google searches:

• "[School Name] Program of Studies"
• "[School Name] Course Catalog"
• "[School Name] Student Handbook GPA"
• "[School Name] AP prerequisites"
• "[School Name] summer assignments"

If you move during the summer, there is a high chance you'll have a summer assignment!

• Directly contact the school counselor to check summer assignments for the classes you are enrolled in.

Public schools

• Funded by local and state governments. Students attend based on where they live.
• Your home address is extremely important — families can't simply choose any public school. The school district and attendance zone determine where you can go.
• ex) My parents' jobs moved back to Korea mid-way, and I tried to stay alone at a U.S. public school — but because both parents returned to Korea, I had no qualifying address and could not enroll.

Private schools

• Independently funded, usually require tuition. Not tied to a home address — students apply through an admissions process.
• May offer smaller classes, more individualized support, stronger college counseling, or a specific philosophy. Some are academically intense; others focus on community, arts, leadership, or character.
• May have entrance exams and interviews in admissions.

Boarding schools

Religious schools

Search tool: nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch

After understanding school types, families need to think about the region. Region affects not only school quality, but also daily life and adjustment. Ask:

• Are there many Korean students?
• Is there a strong Asian or international student community?
• Will I be forced to use English every day?
• Is the academic pressure too high or too low?
• Are there sports or clubs I want to join?
• Can I walk, bike, or get transportation easily?
• Will I be isolated after school?
• Is there enough support for English learners?
• Are there tutoring or community resources nearby?

For Korean students, the number of Korean students in the school can matter. A school with many Korean students may make the transition easier — quicker friendships, advice from older Korean students, less isolation. But it may also keep you inside a Korean-speaking group and delay English adjustment.

A school with very few Korean students may feel lonely at first, but it may push you to speak English more and adapt faster.

Before moving, look at the sports teams in your school and try to join at least one.

• There are Varsity, Junior Varsity, and sometimes freshman teams in one school, depending on the sport.
• Tryouts before each season determine your level — coaches place you based on the evaluation.
• There are usually three seasons per year. Each season is 2–3 months, so you only play a given sport for 2–3 months a year.

Before moving, check the school's athletics page and ask:

• What sports does the school offer?
• Which season is each sport?
• When are tryouts?
• Are physical exam forms required?
• Are there summer practices or preseason meetings?
• Can transfer students try out?
• Are there beginner-friendly teams, JV teams, or no-cut teams?
• Does the school have freshman, JV, and varsity levels?
• How competitive is the team?
• What equipment is needed?

Every school is part of a regional league. ex)
New Jersey HS Sports Association

Every sport has required health forms to submit before the season. ex)
New Jersey sports form requirements

For Korean students, clubs are especially important — they offer a less pressured way to meet people compared to lunch tables or casual conversations.

Types of clubs and activities:

• Academic subjects
• Debate or Model UN
• Science Olympiad
• Math Team
• Robotics or coding
• Student government
• School newspaper or yearbook
• Music, band, orchestra, or choir
• Art or photography
• Community service
• Cultural clubs
• Business or entrepreneurship
• Health or medicine
• Environmental issues
• Peer mentoring

Schools often have a club fair where each club presents and recruits members — usually at the beginning of the year.

Snapchat

• Unlike Korea, American students use an app called Snapchat.
• Snapchat can be unfamiliar for Korean students — it's used casually among American teens for quick pictures, short messages, streaks, and informal updates.

WhatsApp

• They do not use KakaoTalk like in Korea — they use WhatsApp instead.

Instagram

• They also use Instagram — that one might already be familiar.

AP classes are not just harder versions of regular classes. They are college-level courses offered in high school, often requiring faster reading, more writing, independent studying, and stronger time management.

All AP classes have their own AP tests, authorized by College Board, every May. They are scored 1–5, and depending on your score, you can gain college credits for that subject.

• College search for AP credit policies: apstudents.collegeboard.org
• You can earn an A in the AP class but not necessarily score a 5 on the AP exam.
• You can self-study for an AP exam even if your school doesn't offer the class — but it requires strong discipline.
• The class affects GPA and transcript. The exam score may affect college credit/placement depending on the college.

Official College Board AP courses list: apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses

• Also a College Board–authorized standardized test.
• For most Korean students, SAT math is not that challenging — a few practice tests and problem sets usually guarantee a high score.