The implementation of a full high school credit system and the revision of the grading system have led to a noticeable slowdown in student dropouts and transfers from gifted schools, specialized high schools, and nationwide autonomous private high schools. The easing of competitive pressures from relative grading, along with expectations that specialized curricula will favor students in future college admissions, are seen as key factors encouraging students to remain.
According to an analysis by Jongno Academy based on school disclosure data (excluding the Korea Science Academy), the number of first-year students dropping out from 73 nationwide gifted, specialized, and autonomous private high schools totaled 189 in 2025, marking the lowest figure in five years.
Looking at the annual dropout trends, the number was 194 in 2021 under the previous nine-point grading system, increased to 218 in 2022, and peaked at 284 in 2023. However, it dropped significantly to 244 in 2024 and fell further to 189 in 2025. This represents a decrease of 55 students (22.5%) from the previous year and a dramatic drop of 95 students (33.5%) compared to the peak in 2023.
By school type, the number of dropouts from 28 foreign language high schools decreased from 141 in 2024 to 116 in 2025, a reduction of 25 students (17.7%), and down 72 students (38.3%) from the peak of 188 in 2023. The eight international high schools saw their dropout numbers halved from 31 to 15, a decrease of 16 students (51.6%), while the 20 science high schools dropped from 24 to 13, a decline of 11 students (45.8%). The 10 nationwide autonomous private high schools saw a slight decrease from 47 to 43 students (8.5%). The seven gifted schools reported an increase from 1 to 2 students.
In contrast, the 22 regional autonomous private high schools experienced a rise in dropout rates. The number of first-year dropouts increased from 125 in 2021, 128 in 2022, and 137 in 2023, to 131 in 2024, before jumping to 156 in 2025. This marks an increase of 25 students (19.1%) compared to the previous year, highlighting a clear divergence from the trends seen in specialized and nationwide autonomous private high schools.
The number of students transferring to other schools also reached a five-year low. The total number of transfer students from 95 schools, including regional autonomous private high schools, was 881 in 2021, 843 in 2022, 796 in 2023, and 802 in 2024, but fell to 714 in 2025, a decrease of 88 students (11.0%) from the previous year.
By type, science high schools saw the largest drop, from 27 students in 2024 to 11 in 2025, a decrease of 16 students (59.3%). Gifted schools dropped from 2 to 1 student (50.0%), international high schools from 32 to 26 (18.8%), regional autonomous private high schools from 476 to 420 (11.8%), and foreign language high schools from 193 to 184 (4.7%). Nationwide autonomous private high schools maintained the same number of 72 students (0.0%).
Lim Sung-ho, head of Jongno Academy, stated, "The simultaneous decrease in dropouts and transfers is a direct result of the transition from a nine-point to a five-point grading system, which has significantly eased the burden on top students. In the newly implemented high school credit system environment, the competitive edge of specialized and nationwide autonomous private high schools, which offer specialized and differentiated advanced curricula, is expected to play a favorable role in college admissions evaluations."
He added, "Even if the current college admissions process operates under a blind evaluation system, it is still possible to infer the type of high school based on the content recorded in student records and the courses taken. Students have determined that remaining at their current school, even with some less-than-ideal grades, is strategically advantageous compared to transferring to a general high school or dropping out."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.