Busan Foreign School made its mark on the global stage by earning 4th place worldwide in the International Coding Competition, part of the Hour of Code initiative sponsored by Codementum. Out of nearly 5,000 schools and 144,000+ students from 136 countries, our Sharks finished 4th globally in the High School division—an outstanding achievement on the world stage. This result marks our third top-ten global finish in the past four years, underscoring the strength and consistency of our Computer Science program.
At BFS, coding is about far more than technical skill. Through programming, students develop critical thinking, creativity, communication, and confidence while learning persistence through debugging, focus through structured challenges, and collaboration through shared problem-solving. These experiences help students think logically, adapt to change, and approach complex tasks with curiosity and resilience—skills that extend well beyond the classroom.
According to our Computer Science teacher, Dr. Barnes
Computer science demands practice, perseverance, and the understanding that mistakes are not failures, but essential parts of an iterative problem-solving process. For many students, computer science becomes just as much about developing a new way of thinking and approaching problems as it is about working with technology. The exposure to this unique approach allows students to see connections across subject areas and provides a lens to think critically and solve complex problems in the real world.
Computer Science is a core part of the BFS learning experience, beginning in Elementary School and intentionally building through Middle and High School. From early digital literacy and responsible technology use to hands-on coding with tools such as Scratch and Scratch Jr., students learn to see technology as something to create—not just consume. This strong foundation prepares them for advanced coursework and global competitions like this one, while reflecting the habits of learning and collaboration at the heart of #BFSSharkValues.
