Korean Minjok Leadership Academy (KMLA) was established in 1996 by Myung Jae Choi, Chairman of the Foundation, to educate future leaders of various fields who "study and practice the field of their own choosing, based on their talents and aptitudes, and devote themselves to making Korea and the world a better place."
One of the most prominent characteristics of KMLA plays out in the classroom. KMLA's educational resources and approaches are quite different from those of other Korean high schools that are primarily focused on education for the college entrance examination, centering on memorization. Considering the academic abilities, aptitudes, and interests of our students, we make use of a wide variety of resources including domestic and overseas learning materials, textbooks used in prestigious high schools and colleges in the United States and Great Britain, academic essays and scholarly papers. We aim to cultivate the creativity of our students through lively discussions and research. This explains why KMLA students have been reaping outstanding results in international academic competitions ranging from physics and mathematics to environmental science and linguistics.
Mindful of the importance of a strong and healthy body, we provide students numerous opportunities to engage in sports activities. Students participate in Kumdo, Taekwondo, traditional archery, or jogging as part of their daily morning exercise, and they can choose among many sports such as horseback riding, golf, skiing, basketball, volleyball, and rowing for their PE class or club activity. It is no wonder that KMLA students have excelled in the National Sports Festival and other sports competitions.
We also place great emphasis on fostering our students’ emotional development through education in the music and arts, calligraphy, and literature. Students are required to master a traditional Korean musical instrument: Gayageum for girls and Daegum for boys. They are also encouraged to learn and play Western instruments. Audiences attending the annual KMLA Music Festival marvel at our students' musical talents and the quality of the concerts.
We encourage our students to participate in a variety of volunteer activities to help cultivate their body and mind by assisting those in need: to devote themselves for the sake of people in Korea and worldwide.
To become global leaders, students must know first who they are and what they inherited, our source of pride and dignity. KMLA students thus learn about and practice the national spirit, history, culture and values of Korea--and develop their own personal qualities and abilities to enhance these virtues.
While we take seriously the education for the whole person who keeps a balance vis-a-vis knowledge, virtue, and bodily health, we also place importance on English, asking our students to use English freely in and out of the classroom, because, in this globalized age, English is an important tool in the world stage of competition and cooperation.
