Why Hanuri Korean School?
Students Learn
We provide age-appropriate Korean language instruction that builds confidence and fluency. We know that everyone has different levels of Korean language skills, and our teachers are able to work with and encourage their students to enjoy learning no matter where they start.
Students Connect
Children build friendships while celebrating Korean culture, history and traditions. We recognize that some Korean American children are in spaces where they are the “only” Korean American or “one of a few” Korean Americans, whether that be in schools, neighborhood, or even in their family. Hanuri Korean School aims to be a space where they are one of many.
We serve students from ages 5 to 18, allowing them to create connections to peers that last throughout their school years and beyond.
Students Belong
We strive to be an inclusive community where every family is welcomed and every child feels they belong. Our school brings together Korean American families from many backgrounds: first-, second-, third-, or fourth-generation families, multiracial and multiethnic families, and families with transracial adoptees. By learning alongside one another, our students gain a richer understanding of the many ways to be Korean American. We also welcome those who may not be ethnically Korean but have a deep curiosity about Korean language and culture.
Curriculum
Hanuri Korean School’s curriculum includes:
- Age- and level-appropriate language lessons
- Korean culture lessons, including major celebrations, historical events, and notable people
- Korean American history
- Korean drumming lessons
- Traditional Korean dance
- Hands-on art classes
Location
HANA Center (Google Maps)
4300 N California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
Thank you to HANA Center for generously sharing their space with us.
Please direct all questions to hanurikoreanschool@gmail.com, not HANA Center.
Calendar
Classes meet on Saturdays, 10 AM - 1 PM.
- Fall semester: September 12, 2026 - January 30, 2027
- Spring semester: February 20 - June 12, 2027
See 2026-2027 School Year Calendar for more details. Dates are subject to change.
Tuition
The 2026-2027 tuition rates per semester are:
- $450 for one student
- $870 for two students (discount of $30)
- $1260 for three students (discount off $90)
Tuition payments can be made with a one-time payment in full or via monthly installments. Full instructions on how to pay either online or by check will be included in the confirmation email, which you will receive within 4-5 business days once you submit the registration form.
We believe that tuition should not be a barrier for interested families. Please contact hanurikoreanschool@gmail.com for more information about various options.
Registration
Children must be in grades K-12 and be at least 5 years of age at the start of the semester to enroll. We group students in classes primarily by age and secondarily by proficiency level to ensure they will be learning with and from their peers.
- Fall semester: The registration form opens on July 31, 2026 and will remain open until August 30, 2026.
- Spring semester: The registration form opens on January 9, 2027 and will remain open until February 7, 2027.
We welcome children who want to enroll after the start of the semester. If you want to register your child after the deadline, please contact us directly at hanurikoreanschool@gmail.com.
About Us
Who We Are
Hanuri Korean School is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to provide an inclusive educational experience for children ages 5-18 to learn Korean language, culture, art, and history, instilling pride and a sense of belonging to our diverse Korean American community in the Chicago area.
Our Story
Hanuri Korean School was founded by a group of dedicated parents who believed that the closing of their beloved Chicago-area Korean school should not mean the end of the community it had created: a welcoming place where Korean American children and youth from all backgrounds could learn, connect, and belong.
Parents believed this community was too important to lose.
Rather than let that community disappear, these families came together with a shared vision: to create a new school that preserves the warmth and inclusion they valued while offering new opportunities for children to learn and grow. From that vision, Hanuri Korean School was born.
Our Name
Hanuri (한우리) means “our Korean community.” The name combines the Korean words han (one, great, or big) and uri (we or us), expressing the idea of one united community. It reflects our belief that every child deserves a place to learn the Korean language, celebrate Korean culture, and develop a lifelong connection to the diverse Korean American community.
Principal
Meeyeon Yoon, our principal, taught middle school in Korea before moving to the U.S. in 2016. She has taught at several Korean schools, including Truelight Korean School (참빛한국학교), Niles Korean School, and Bulta Korean School, before stepping into the principal role at Hanuri. She believes in making Korean school a joyful place to learn. Her favorite food is kimchi stew.
Teachers
More information to come!
Board of Directors
- Esther Hurh
- Mo Ran Park
- Hana Lee
Advisory Committee
- Jinny Choi
- Cindy Joung
- Jeannie Kim
- Doona Landau
- Jackie Milhans
- Jill Wade
(as of July 2026)
Donate
Hanuri Korean School strives to make this school open to all families whose children want to be a part of a caring community, and to create the best kind of experience for their children. We can do this with the generosity of families, community members, businesses, and other community institutions.
Your tax-deductible gift will help Hanuri Korean School:
- Inspire children to develop pride in their Korean heritage and culture.
- Provide exceptional teachers and engaging classroom experience.
- Offer enriching cultural experiences, including traditional Korean drumming, music, arts, and other hands-on cultural programming.
- Create a welcoming school where all families feel they belong.
- Build a strong financial foundation that will allow Hanuri Korean School to grow and serve families for years to come.
Contact us at hanurikoreanschool@gmail.com to learn how you can become a supporter of Hanuri Korean School.