Part I: International Schools
Currently there are 22 international schools in Taiwan. A “true” international school as defined by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education requires that the student holds a foreign passport. Note this definition is different from a school that offers an international curriculum and does not require a foreign passport. There are a few schools in Taiwan that fall into this category, which we will cover in Part II of this article.
There are a variety of International schools in Taiwan, American vs Japanese, religious vs secular, and a European school in between. Of the 22 international schools, there are 2 Korean schools, 3 Japanese, 1 European and the rest, America. The Taipei European School is unique in the sense that it is one school with two campuses (lower school upper school) housing three independent schools — The British, French and German section, with each of the sections running its national curriculum respectively. Geographically, there are 8 schools in Taipei, 1 School in New Taipei City, 2 Schools in Hsinchu, 2 Hsinchu County, 1 in Taoyuan, 3 in Taichung and 5 in Kaohsiung.
Who Attends the International Schools?
Unlike other countries where the student body of international schools consist of mostly expat children, Taiwan’s international school is largely composed of Taiwanese who also hold a foreign passport. This in part reflects the job market in Taiwan where there is a scarce expat workforce. However in recent years the international schools in Taiwan have recently become more internationally diverse due to the emergence of offshore wind farm industry, entrepreneurs who have discovered Taiwan as an affordable place to raise a family, and most recently, the rise of Covid-refugees.
Can My Kids Get In?
Even prior to Covid, the international schools in Taipei had sizable waiting lists to begin with. With Covid and the number of returnees/refugees, the waiting lists now number in the hundreds if not thousands at Taipei American School and Taipei European School. Recently, when we called the Taipei schools prior to Christmas break, we were told that there is no room for mid-year entry. However, when we spoke to schools outside of Taipei, some schools still had availability. To find out which schools, please feel free to reach out to our partner organizations, TrinityScholar and Lighthouse Camps for assistance.
List of International Schools
Grace Christian Academy
Website: http://www.gcataipei.com
An excellent academic program with stellar extra-curricular activities are found in a lot of schools. However, with GCA they provide academic excellence with a Biblical worldview. Thus, for christian families, this school is definitely a school worth considering. According to them, “In GCA, you’ll find a warm and friendly community. We pride in having a group of faculty, staff, and parents, committed to the same purpose: to see students growing into the individual that God created them to be.
2021 Tuition Fees (Per Year):
Application Fee: NT $1000
Registration Fee: NT $50,000
Grade 1- 5: NT $387,000
Grade 6- Grade 8: NT$ 417,000
Grade 9- Grade 11: NT $447,000
*There will be also be other fees (Lunch Fee, Bus Fee, Insurance, etc)
Dominican International School
Website: http://www.dishs.tp.edu.tw
Kaohsiung: http://www.disk.kh.edu.tw/
Dominican International School is a Catholic, private, English medium school owned and governed by the Dominican Sisters. The school also offers additional language classes for Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish. Aside from a stellar academic program, they also offer a wide range of extracurricular activities/clubs. Acceptance of applications for the school year 2021–2022 begins on the 2nd week of March 2021.
Tuition For Year 2021- 2022:
Placement Fee (For New Students Only): NT $25,000
Registration: NT $25,000
Pre- K: NT $297,101
Kindergarten: NT $308,026
Grades 1–4: NT $412,343
Grade 5: NT $423,269
Grade 6–7: NT $432, 568
Grade 8: NT $442, 858
Grade 9–10: NT $483,065
Grade 11: NT $486,785
Grade 12: NT $493, 356
*Additional Payments include: Entrance Test, PSAT Exams (for higher grades)
Morrison Academy:
Morrison Academy exists to glorify God by meeting the educational needs of the children of Christian missionaries throughout Taiwan. They believe that the educational journey is always about more than knowledge. For the year 2020–21, the school-wide theme is Cultivate, in correlation with the biblical scripture, Ephesians 4:15a. The school hopes to encourage one another to deepen their relationship with God through spiritual growth.
Taipei Bethany American School
Website: https://taipei.mca.org.tw/
Tuition Fee For The Year 2020- 2021
Application Testing Fee (Per test): NT $3,500
Entrance Fee (First time student): NT $30,000
Registration Fee: NTD $30,000
Building Fee (Per Sem): NTD $30,000
Per Sem:
Kinder- Grade 5: NTD $213,000
Grades 6–8: NTD $233,000
Grades 9–12: NTD $261,500
Morrison Academy Taichung
Website: http://taichung.mca.org.tw/
Tuition Fee For The Year 2020- 2021
Application Testing Fee (Per test): NT $3,500
Entrance Fee (First time student): NT $30,000
Registration Fee: NTD $30,000
Building Fee (Per Sem): NTD $30,000
Per Sem:
Kinder- Grade 5: NTD $202,000
Grades 6–8: NTD $220,000
Grades 9–12: NTD $248,000
Morrison Academy Kaohsiung:
Website: http://kaohsiung.mca.org.tw
For The Year 2020- 2021:
Application Testing Fee (Per test): NT $3,500
Entrance Fee (First time student): NT $30,000
Registration Fee: NTD $30,000
Building Fee (Per Sem): NTD $30,000
Per Sem:
Kinder- Grade 5: NTD $196,000
Grades 6–8: NTD $214,000
Grades 9–12: NTD $241,500
Taipei Adventist American School
Website: http://taas-taiwan.com/
TAAS mission is to provide American education to Taiwanese and international students with foreign passports. Its curriculum, teachers, and educational environment are equivalent to an American-based school. The purpose of this American based curriculum is to allow its students to enter American schools and universities on the same terms as domestic students. In addition, the campus of TAAS is also something to consider. The campus is surrounded by trees, gardens and outdoor play areas for the students to enjoy.
Tuition Fee for Year 2020- 2021:
Application Fee: NT $3,000
Enrollment Fee (New Students): $50,000
Registration Fee (Annual): NT $30,000
Per Sem:
Grades 1–4: NT $210,000
Grades 5–7: NT $234,000
Grade 8: NT $279,000
*There will be additional payments (CAMP TAIWAN, Lunch Fees, Bus Fees, different programs, etc)
Taipei European School
Website: https://taipeieuropeanschool.com/
Taipei European School is one of a kind, being the first school to have French, German and British curricula running parallel and intertwining. They provide educational excellence and European culture and values within the context of Taiwan society. The unique nature of the school is its diversity. Around the school, you can hear students talk in French, German, English, and Chinese all at the same time. At TES, they pride themselves in giving their students the platform they need to develop their confidence, and give them the space that they need to allow them to grow into the persons they can be.
Tuition Fee for Year 2020- 2021:
British Section:
Assessment Fee: NT $5,000
Registration Fee: NT $50,000
Per Sem:
Nursery (8:00am- 12:00pm): NTD $175,700
Nursery (8:00am- 3:00pm): NTD $233,000
Years 1–6: 283,700
English as an Additional Language Fee (EAL):
Primary Section: NT $79,200 per semester
Primary Section (Intensive): NT $110,000 per semester
Years 7–9: NTD $326, 200
Years H1-H2: NTD $340,400
Years H3-H4: NTD $346,700
English as an Additional Language Fee (EAL):
Secondary and High School Section: NT $79,200 per semester
Secondary and High School Section (Intensive): NT $ 110,000 per semester
Siblings discount:
2nd child -10,000 per semester
3rd & subsequent child -15,000 per semester
French Section:
Assessment Fee: NT $5,000
Registration Fee: NT $50,000
Per Sem:
PS: NTD $ 199,800
MS: NTD $236,900
GS- CM2: NTD $240,100
6ème — 3ème: NTD $266,100
2nde — Terminale: NTD $304,500
Sibling Discount:
2nd Child: NT $-10,000 per sem
3rd & subsequent Child: $NT $-15,000 per sem
English as an Additional Language Fee (EAL): 20,000 per semester
French as an Additional Language Fee (FAL) / French Language and Culture (FLC): 60,000 per semester French as an Additional Language Fee (FAL+ ) / French Language and Culture (FLC+ ): 73,000 per semester
German Section:
Assessment Fee: NT $5,000
Registration Fee: NT $100,000
Per Sem:
Kindergarten: NTD $214,250
Flexible Schuleingangsstufe 0: NTD $238,950
Klassen 1–4: NTD $244,950
Klassen 5–8: NTD $257,050
Siblings discount:
2nd child: NT $ -10,000 per semester
3rd & subsequent child: NT $ -15,000 per semester
Asia American International Academy
Website: http://www.aaia.ntpc.edu.tw/
American International Academy (AAIA) is the first international American curriculum school in New Taipei City. AAIA is a private, co-educational, independent school offering a college preparatory education to students in grade 6 through grade 12.
Tuition Fee for the Year 2021- 2022
Registration Fee: NTD $20,000
Tuition Fee: NTD $252, 495
Books Fee:
G6 — G8: NT $13,000 ~ 20,000
G9 — G12: NT $23,000 ~ 30,000
*Additional Payments Include: Lunch Fee, Bus Fee, Insurance, Facilities, etc…
Japanese Schools:
The Japanese School is aimed at Japanese families with children residing in Taiwan. Their mission is to foster the students ability to think for themselves, become independent, and train students to become strong both physically and mentally.
Taipei Japanese School
Website: http://www.tjs.tp.edu.tw/
Taipei Japanese School is aimed at Japanese families with children residing in Taiwan. TJS mission is to foster the students ability to think for themselves, become independent, and train students to become strong both physically and mentally.
Tuition Fees for Year 2021:
Admission Fee: NT $40,000
Facility Usage Fee:
NT $2,700 per month
NT $32,400 per year
Elementary School
Monthly: NTD $7,500
Annual fee: NTD $ 90,000
Junior High School:
Monthly fee: NTD $ 7,600
Annual fee: NTD $91,200
*Other Fees Include: Facility Equipment Costs, School Bus Fee, etccc
Kaohsiung Japanese School
Website: https://www.kaohsiung-js.com/
(Please go to website for tuition reference)
Taichung Japanese School
Website: http://tjs.ehosting.com.tw
(Please go to website for tuition reference)
Korean Schools:
Taipei Korean School
Website: http://taipeiks.net/?main
The Taipei Korean School, located in Wanhua, mainly provides education for Korean children in Taiwan. In addition to learning Chinese and Korean, it also provides English courses.
(Please go to website for tuition reference)
Kaohsiung Korean School
Website: http://khks.kr
Kaohsiung Korean School was established in 1961 to establish a school for the Korean government for children of Korean diasporas in Kaohsiung, so that Korean children overseas can also receive Korean education and experience Korean traditional cultural activities.
(Please go to website for tuition reference)
American Schools:
Taipei American School
Website: https://www.tas.edu.tw/about-us
Taipei American School (TAS) was founded in 1949. It provides an American-based education with a global perspective that results in a love of learning, academic excellence, a balanced life, and service to others. They offer both AP and IB courses allowing students to personalize their courses to their preferred course.
2021 Tuition Fees (Per Year)
Registration Fee: NT $ NT$50,000
Grades KA-5: NT $779,340
Grades 6- 12: NT $864,315
* There will also be additional mandatory costs for Building/Equipment fee, Capital Fee etc
Kaohsiung American School
Website: http://www.kas.tw
Kaohsiung American School (KAS) is a private, non-profit, co-educational Pre K — 12 institution offering an American, college preparatory program leading to a US high school diploma and the opportunity for an IB Diploma. KAS challenges students to achieve academic excellence and prepares them to be balanced individuals, independent learners, and global citizens.
Tuition Fee For The Year 2020- 2021
Admission Assessment Fee (New Students): NTD $3,500
Annual Registration Fee: NTD $25,000
Registration Fee: NTD $25,000
Per Sem:
Pre-k- Grade 5: NTD $181,700
Grades 6–8: NTD $ 201,200
Grades 9–12: NTD $212,500
English Language Learner Per Sem (Grade 5 and below): NT $25,000
Support Classes Per Sem (Grade 6 and above): NTD $15,000
Taoyuan American School
Website: http://tyas.tyc.edu.tw/
Taoyuan American School is dedicated to providing students with a well-rounded educational experience. They believe that learning extends beyond the classroom walls to encompass collective goals of exploration, interaction with others, investigation and service to the larger community.
Tuition Fee for 2020- 2021
Registration Fee: NTD $30,000
Per Sem:
Grades 1–5: NTD $224,950
Grades 6–12 NTD $249,480
*Additional Payments include: Lunch, Bus, Books, Pe Uniforms, etc…
Hsinchu American School
Website: http://has.hc.edu.tw/
Compared to the other foreign schools in Hsinchu (such as Hsinchu International School, Pacific American School), Hsinchu American School is relatively smaller but, still has the qualifications to fulfill the need of international students who want an American/ International education. HAS helps prepare students for the constantly changing society that we live in today, and also offers a university preparatory program, for international students.
Tuition Fee for 2020- 2021
Registration Fee: NTD $ 30,000
Per Sem:
Grades 1–5 NTD $175,000
Grades 6–8 NTD $ 195,000
Grades 9–12 NTD $205,000
Pacific American School
Website: http://pacificamerican.org
PAS believes in creating hands-on opportunities for students. They believe in helping students develop skills needed in the professional world of the 21st century. With over 100 classes offered, they offer classes like coding courses, data modeling, and robotics courses. In PAS, they believe that education has to be diversified to create opportunities for the skill sets needed in the different industries that are wildly recognized in today’s world.
Tuition Fee for the School Year 2020- 2021:
First Time Application Fee: NTD $35,000
Registration Fee: NTD $50,000
Per Sem:
Grades 1–5: NTD $245,000
Grades 6–12 NTD $305,000
*Additional Payments include: Capital Fee and Facility & Technology, etccc
Hsinchu County American School
Website: https://www.hcas.tw/
Hsinchu County American School (HCAS) was established in 2016. The founders seek to offer an alternative to the traditional education system in Taiwan. The school motto is AUT VIAM INVENIAM AUT FACIUM which means “Either I will find a way or make one”, in other words, seeks to inspire students and members of the school community to be innovators and problem solvers.
Tuition Fee For The Year 2020- 2021
Registration Fee: NTD $25,000
Per Sem:
Kindergarten: NTD: $128,800
Grades 1–4: NTD $180,000
Grades 5–8: NTD $220,000
Grades 9–12 NTD $260,000
* Additional Payments Include: First Time Application Fee, Miscellaneous Fees, etcc
American School in Taichung
Website: https://www.astaichung.com/
American School in Taichung is an international school with a commitment to excellence, integrity, and responsibility that prepares college-bound students for a rapidly changing world. They also hope for their students to be able to develop critical thinking, exhibit concern for others, and handle challenging situations constructively.
Tuition Fee For The Year 2020- 2021
Application Fee (Per Test): NTD $3,000
Registration Fee: NTD $40,000
Per Sem:
Grades 1–5: NTD $212,000
Grades 6–8 NTD $226,000
Grades 9–12 NTD $236,000
Hsinchu International School
Website: http://www.hdis.hc.edu.tw
Hsinchu International School was established in the year 1981. HAS provides quality education in a warm, secure atmosphere, while fostering and developing a genuine love of learning, developing an enquiring mind, with a well-rounded personality. “Our objective is to introduce variety and scope, to encourage talents, to stimulate awareness of possibilities, and to develop enriching interests and experiences”
Tuition Fee for Year 2020–202:
Registration Fee:
Per Child: NTD $25,000
If more than 1 child NTD $35,000
Per Sem:
Pre-K: NTD $150,000
Kindergarten: NTD $155,000
Grades 1st-4th: NTD $166,500
Grades 5th-6th: NTD $173,500
Grades 7–12: NTD $220,000
