Our Sister School: St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju
In 2017, St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju opened on Jeju Island, South Korea, which is sometimes called “the Hawaii of Korea,” as part of a “Global Education City” of companion boarding schools from the US, Britain, and Canada.
SJA Jeju was conceived on the model of SJA in Vermont, with the same mission and Three Promises, the same “Hilltopper” identity, the same ethos and motos, including “Character, Inquiry, Community,” emblazoned across the edifice of their glass and steel performing arts center. Besides their architecture, the biggest difference between our two schools is the fact that Jeju serves students in grades K-12, so there are elementary school and middle school divisions in addition to the high school. Otherwise, the school’s goals for academics, character, and community life are the same although it operates independently.
Both schools are working together to find additional ways in which we can connect and collaborate to enhance our already established exchange programs. There is so much possibility in this relationship–to broaden our educational and cultural reach and expand the impact of an SJA experience for students.
To learn more about St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju, please visit their website at www.sjajeju.kr.
Haram Yoo ’25
Hometown: Jeju, South Korea
Being able to live and study in the US, specifically in our sister school, is a very rare opportunity. I know it is essential to have many experiences, so I challenged myself to apply for the chance to be selected. Prior to coming to SJA, I heard the classes were very high-quality, participation was considered very important, and it was hard to get a high GPA. Moreover, I heard food and dorm life were very different from Korea. The friends I have made, and teachers here empower me whenever I face difficulties. The variety of classes offered here is different than in Korea, and I’m enjoying my first dorm life experience in America. I will never forget my time here.
Pictured with Dr. Howell on the Vermont campus are some of our students from Korea who have taken advantage of the exchange program (l to r): Suyeon Kim ’25, Haram Yoo ’25, Dr. Sharon Howell, Moonham Rhee ’24, YunSeo Kim ’24, Junyoung Kim ’25.
Monthly Newsletter from SJA Jeju