School Record Surge Under 5-Tier Grading Pressure

The Rise of “School Record Reset” Among Students and Parents

An increasing number of students and parents are turning to a strategy known as “school record reset.” This involves withdrawing from high school during the first year due to unsatisfactory grades and re-enrolling the following year to start fresh. This trend has sparked discussions within the education sector, with many attributing it to growing anxiety among students and parents who fear that a single academic misstep could jeopardize college admissions.

The concept of a “school record reset” is straightforward: students who receive poor grades in their first year may choose to leave school temporarily and return the next year to improve their academic records. This approach is similar to retaking standardized exams, as students end up attending school alongside younger peers.

Online forums have become a hub for discussions around this practice. One parent recently posted on an admissions forum, asking, “My child’s midterm grades are poor. Should they withdraw before the final exams to reset their record?” Many users responded with similar questions, indicating a growing interest in this method.

A student who identified themselves as a high schooler shared their observations: “There has been a noticeable increase in cases where students withdraw and re-enroll in lower grades solely because of poor school records. Those who re-enroll have already studied for an extra year, making it harder for current students to achieve higher grades. This creates a cycle of withdrawals.”

A parent from Gyeonggi Province, surnamed Lee, shared their shock upon hearing about the idea. “One day, my child mentioned ‘school record reset.’ I was taken aback after hearing the explanation. It shows how much stress students face over their grades that they would consider such an extreme method.”

Impact of the 5-Tier School Record System

The 5-tier school record system is seen as a major driver behind this trend. Previously, high schools used a 9-tier system, where the top 4% received the highest grade. However, starting with the 2028 college admissions cycle, a 5-tier system will be implemented, with the top 10% receiving the highest grade. While this change was intended to reduce academic pressure, it has instead led to increased stress among students.

The fear of missing out on top universities, especially in Seoul, if students fail to secure the highest grade has intensified. Im Seong-ho, head of Jongno Academy, explained, “Currently, about half of a student’s school record is determined in their first year. With limited chances to recover, withdrawing after the first year becomes a drastic but logical choice.”

According to data from Jongno Academy, which analyzed 1,703 general high schools nationwide via a school information disclosure site, the number of students discontinuing their studies rose from 12,798 in 2021 to 18,661 last year. Among those who discontinued, 10,450 were first-year students, surpassing 10,000 for the first time.

Challenges Introduced by the High School Credit System

Critics argue that the high school credit system, introduced alongside the 5-tier school record system, has added to the confusion. This system allows students to choose classes like university students, but in reality, they must carefully consider subject advantages and class sizes while preparing for college admissions.

A survey conducted by the KTU Seoul branch earlier this month found that the most serious issue with the high school credit system was “difficulties and confusion caused by first-semester career decisions in the first year” (94 respondents, or 76.4%).