Sejong Academy

What Sejong Academy does

Sejong Academy is a nonprofit public charter school in Saint Paul, Minnesota, operating a tuition-free Korean language immersion program from Pre-K through 12th grade. Founded in September 2014 and authorized by Novation Education Opportunities, it is the only Korean immersion charter school in Minnesota and the first to hold International Baccalaureate Career-related Program authorization in the state. The core offering is a proprietary immersion curriculum developed in-house: 100% Korean instruction in K-1, 80% in grades 2-3, 50% in grade 4, and a standalone Korean language class from grade 5 onward, complemented by cultural programming such as Taekwondo, Samulnori, and K-Pop Music Technology.

The upper school (grades 7-12) is structured around the IB Middle Years Program, authorized June 24, 2022, and the IB Career-related Program, authorized August 11, 2025. Through a concurrent enrollment partnership with Hennepin Technical College, high school students can earn college credit in K-Pop Music Technology and Business pathways taught by Sejong teachers on campus. The school supplements academics with an annual educational trip to Korea, free breakfast and lunch under the Community Eligibility Provision, transportation for qualifying students, and a range of after-school clubs.

Sejong Academy generates revenue primarily through Minnesota per-pupil state aid tied to enrolled ADM, with a secondary Pre-K tuition stream at $400 per month (free or reduced for qualifying families). Additional revenue includes 501(c)(3) donations processed via GiveMN. Enrollment is managed through an annual open application window from November to January, with a lottery for oversubscribed grades. The school is governed by an independent Board of Directors chaired by Grace Lee and employs approximately 53 staff, including leadership, teachers, an IT director shared across four schools, and operational/administrative personnel.

Name

Sejong Academy

Legal name

Sejong Academy

Website

https://sejongacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sejong Academy is a nonprofit, tuition-free Korean immersion charter school in Saint Paul, Minnesota, serving Pre-K through 12th grade with IB-authorized programming and concurrent college credit pathways.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJABAG

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Private & Independent K–12 Schools

SECONDARYEDACADAG

Bilingual & Language-Immersion Early Learning Academies

Education/Early Childhood Education/Early Learning Academies & Montessori/Reggio/Steiner Programs

Keywords

• Korean immersion education
• Charter school education
• IB World School
• K-12 language immersion
• College credit enrollment

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: As a Minnesota charter school, Sejong Academy receives per-pupil state aid based on enrollment. This is the primary revenue source for grades K-12 operations.
2. Pre-K Tuition: Pre-K program is fee-based at $400/month during the school year. Students qualifying for free or reduced lunch receive free or reduced tuition based on the same percentage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sejong Academy is a tuition-free Korean immersion charter school serving Pre-K through 12th grade in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It delivers a progressive Korean language immersion curriculum (100% in K-1, 80% in 2-3, 50% in 4, standalone Korean Language from 5th grade onward), an authorized IB Middle Years Program for grades 7-10, and the first IB Career-related Program in Minnesota for grades 11-12 with concurrent enrollment college credit through Hennepin Technical College. Cultural programs including Taekwondo and Samulnori are integrated into the regular curriculum.

Product overview

Sejong Academy is a tuition-free Korean Immersion Charter School serving Pre-K through 12th grade in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school operates a single unified educational program structured around progressive Korean language immersion: Pre-K provides foundational exposure, K-3 delivers near-full immersion, Grade 4 transitions to 50% immersion, and Grades 5+ offer standalone Korean language with English-medium content. The upper school (grades 7-12) is built around the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) authorized in 2022 and the IB Career-related Program (CP) authorized in 2025, the latter offering concurrent enrollment college credit through Hennepin Technical College. Cultural programming including Taekwondo, Samulnori, and Korean Dance is woven into the curriculum alongside traditional academics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pre-K Program Academic Pre-K program approved by the Minnesota Department of Education for students turning four by September 1. Instruction is primarily in English with enrichment lessons and classroom language in Korean. Classes run 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM with free breakfast and lunch provided. Tuition is $400/month with free/reduced rates for those qualifying for free/reduced lunch.
• Korean Immersion Program (K-3) Full Korean language immersion curriculum for Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Kindergarten and 1st grade use 100% Korean immersion, then 2nd-3rd grade English Language Arts is introduced bringing immersion to approximately 80% Korean. Tuition-free as part of the public charter school.
• Korean Immersion Program (Grade 4) Fourth grade Korean immersion with approximately 50% immersion level. Instruction is in Korean but content is taught mostly in English, with a standalone Korean Language class. Tuition-free as part of the public charter school.
• Korean Language Class (Grade 5+) Standalone Korean Language class for 5th grade and beyond, with curriculum content taught in English. Korean language and culture focus is infused into regular curriculum. Tuition-free as part of the public charter school.
• IB Middle Years Program (MYP) International Baccalaureate authorized program for grades 7-10, authorized June 24, 2022. Features 8 subject areas including Arts, Design, Physical and Health Education, Language and Literature, Language Acquisition (Korean), Mathematics, Individuals and Societies, and Sciences. Culminates in 10th grade Personal Project. Tuition-free as part of the public charter school.
• IB Career-related Program (CP) International Baccalaureate authorized program for grades 11-12, authorized August 11, 2025. Offers two career pathways: K-Pop Music Technology and Business, with concurrent enrollment classes through Hennepin Technical College enabling students to earn college credit while attending Sejong Academy. Tuition-free as part of the public charter school.
• After School Clubs and Extracurricular Activities Seasonal Korean cultural and athletic activities including advanced Taekwondo, Korean Dance, Korean Traditional Theater, running club, soccer, volleyball, basketball, Math League, US National Chemistry Olympiad, Yearbook, GGAL, K-pop production and Dance, Calligraphy, Samulnori (Korean Drumming), Board Game Club, and Art Club. Available 3:30-5:00 PM after regular school hours.
• Cultural Curriculum (Taekwondo and Samulnori) Music and physical education classes infused with Korean culture. Includes Taekwondo (offered as part of regular curriculum) and Samulnori (Korean Percussion Ensemble). Students can also participate in Korean traditional theater and Advanced Taekwondo as extracurricular activities. Included as part of the tuition-free K-12 program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% Korean immersion in K-1st grade transitioning to 80% in 2nd-3rd, 50% in 4th, and standalone Korean Language from 5th grade onward

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hennepin Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Concurrent Enrollment partnership allowing Sejong students to earn college credit while taking classes at Sejong Academy with Sejong teachers. Offers K-Pop Music Technology and Business career pathways.
• International Baccalaureate (IB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Sejong Academy is an authorized IB World School. MYP authorized June 24, 2022; CP authorized August 11, 2025. IB World Schools share commitment to high quality, challenging, international education.
• Novation Education Opportunities (NEO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014NEO is Sejong Academy's charter school authorizer. As the authorizing organization, NEO is responsible for monitoring the Board's oversight of the school but does not manage or operate the school directly. Located at 3432 Denmark Ave, Ste 130, Eagan, MN 55123.
• Concordia Language VillagesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorean Camp program partner providing immersive language learning experiences. Concordia Language Villages is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in programming and employment.
• Camp ChosonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorean culture camp designed for Korean-American children, youth and families. Originally started for Korean adoptees but has grown to include Korean-Americans from all backgrounds. Held annually over Fourth of July week.
• Korean QuarterlyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit quarterly newspaper written by and about the Korean American community of the Twin Cities and upper Midwest.
• Korean Heritage HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated for Korean adoptees and their families to meet and celebrate Korean heritage year-round. Sejong's Korean drum instructor Brooke Newmaster is part of this organization.
• World SavvyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted partner for educators and community leaders committed to reimagining education to ensure students succeed in global economy and be active engaged citizens.
• Minnesota Association of IB World SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCourageous leaders supporting IB community implementing programs, building connections, removing barriers, and creating systems that increase access for all.
• Minnesota Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOMPASS (Collaborative Minnesota Partnerships to Advance Student Success) serves as support system for all districts, charter schools and Tribal schools in Minnesota.
• The Sanneh FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes holistic youth development needs of Twin Cities metro area. Has supported Sejong by supplying PE specialists and helping run soccer team program.
• University of Minnesota Center for Community-Engaged LearningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with partners to provide opportunities for U of M students to engage in off-campus experiential learning through community work and place-based educational programs. Most of Sejong's volunteers come from referral from this center.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Blake School: Established private K-12 college preparatory school in the Twin Cities with multiple campuses. Comparable as a K-12 institution serving Minneapolis-St. Paul families seeking rigorous education, though operates as a tuition-based private school rather than charter.
• Minnehaha Academy: Private Christian K-12 school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Comparable as a long-established K-12 institution in the Twin Cities competing for similar college-prep-oriented families, though operates under a tuition-based private model rather than public charter.

Direct peers

• Global Academy: Language immersion charter school in Minnesota serving K-8 students with Spanish and Chinese immersion tracks. Comparable to Sejong in operating model (immersion charter, public funding, lottery enrollment) and target market (Twin Cities families seeking bilingual education).
• Hmong College Prep Academy: Cultural-heritage charter school in Saint Paul, Minnesota serving K-12 students. Comparable to Sejong in targeting a specific cultural-heritage community within the Twin Cities and operating as a public charter with cultural/language preservation as a core differentiator.
• Twin Cities German Immersion School: German immersion charter school in the Twin Cities metro. Comparable to Sejong as a language-immersion charter operating in the same geographic market with the same tuition-free, lottery-based enrollment structure.
• French Academy of Minnesota: French immersion charter school serving students in Minnesota. Comparable to Sejong as another language-immersion charter alternative in the Twin Cities market competing for similar families seeking bilingual K-12 education.
• Yinghua Academy: Chinese immersion public charter school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Directly comparable to Sejong as another language-immersion charter school operating in the same Twin Cities metro under a similar tuition-free, lottery-based enrollment model.

Regional players

• Nova Classical Academy: K-12 charter school in Saint Paul, Minnesota offering a classical liberal arts curriculum. Comparable as a charter school operating in the same metro with similar tuition-free funding model, though differentiated by curriculum focus rather than language immersion.
• Great River School: Public Montessori charter school serving grades K-12 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Comparable as a K-12 public charter school in the same city with similar tuition-free enrollment model and progressive educational philosophy.

Others

• Concordia Language Villages: Immersive language camp program operated by Concordia College in Minnesota, an existing Sejong partner. Comparable in mission focus on language immersion but operates as supplementary summer programming rather than a full-time school.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SejongTigers
• Facebookfacebook.com/SejongAcademyMN
• Instagraminstagram.com/sejongacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sejong-academy

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sejong Academy