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Taipei First Girls’ High School front gate. Photo by Sharonkuei –

The Best International Schools in Taipei

Unlike some other cities in Asia, Taipei is notable for being very accessible for English-speaking ex-pats. Locals are friendly and welcoming, getting around is easy thanks to excellent public transport, and there are plenty of familiar chain restaurants and book stores if you need a slice of home.

The majority of international schools in the city follow the American curriculum and teach in English. A selection of others teach the International Baccalaureate or European curricula, and religious ethos schools are also becoming common.

This is large because Mandarin Chinese is the official language of Taiwan and is spoken in Taipei’s public schools. These schools also follow the Chinese curriculum. While they may offer the excellent education standards China is known for, unless your child speaks Mandarin, the language barrier may be difficult to overcome.

International schools in Taiwan are forbidden from enrolling children of Taiwan nationals unless they have a foreign passport. So ex-pat children make up almost the entire student body in all of Taipei’s international schools. Recently that has been changing, however, with many eligible Taiwanese families opting for international schools to protect their children from the strict and high-pressure environment that often comes with Taiwanese schools.

Taipei does not have a large number of international schools to choose from, which means demand outstrips supply. Waiting lists for student places can be long, especially in the long-established American schools. It’s best to start your application as early as you can. Unfortunately, Taiwan isn’t known for its budget-friendly international school fees either.

Most international schools in Taipei are located in the residential districts north of the city center. You’ll also find some schools in neighboring towns such as Linkou, Taoyuan, or Daqutian. School bus services are common but not standard, so you may need to factor in the location and commute times of schools you’re interested in.

The older international schools in Taipei tend to be the largest, and also tend to have the best campuses and facilities. Be warned, however; they also have the longest waiting lists of all. The standards of education in all international schools however are generally high.

1. Taipei American School

Taipei American School Lott Auditorium. The Guy Lott, Jr. Auditorium of Taipei American School. Photo by BenjaminTsai –

Taipei American School is an innovative 21^st– century learning community. The school’s mission is to inspire each student to be a confident, creative, caring and moral individual prepared to adapt and succeed anywhere in a rapidly changing world.

The school 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.

Taipei American School offers opportunities for students to reach their full potential to become caring, competent, knowledgeable young people who are dedicated to making a positive difference in the world.

2. Taipei European School

Swire European Primary Campus, Taipei European School. Photo by Tianmu Zhan –

Taipei European School is an independent, co-educational day school, which was formed through the amalgamation of the Taipei British School, Ecole Francaise de Taipei, and Deutsche Schule Taipei.

It now operates as a single European entity through a non-profit making Foundation.

3. Morrison Academy Taipei

The Evangelical Building, Morrison Academy Bethany Campus. Photo by Michaelscwu –

Morrison Academy Taipei was founded in 1961 to educate students in a distinctively Christian environment with a quality American curriculum. Morrison Academy wants every student to experience a quality, biblically- integrated education, so that each one will be equipped to impact the world dynamically for Christ.

4. Dominican International School Taipei

Dominican School of Apalit, Inc. (Mater Boni Consilii Seminary)Barangay San Juan, Apalit, Pampanga. Photo by Judgefloro –

Dominican International School is a Catholic, private, English medium school owned and governed by the Dominican Sisters. It was formerly a US Government contract (D.O.D) school for the military dependants of the United States Forces in Taipei.

The Sisters are members of the Institute of the Religious  Missionaries of St. Dominic, a congregation of Spanish origin with the Motherhouse in Rome, Italy, when at that time their Provincialate House was located in Manila, Philippines.

5. Acton Academy Taipei

People sitting in a classroom with a teacher standing and talking to them. Photo by Ilya Sonin on

Acton Academy Taipei is a grade 1 -7 micro-school with Socratic guides and hands-on Quests powering a learner-driven community of heroes. The school’s mission is to inspire each child that enters its doors to find their calling and change the world.

6. The Primacy Collegiate Academy

A Pupil raises their hand while in class. Photo by National Cancer Institute on

The Primacy Collegiate Academy offers approximately 150 students an enriched, expanding academic program. Its fully functioning, transition to English fluency training smoothly integrates into a traditional American high school curriculum.

7. Kang Chiao International School

Memorial Group Portrait of Kang Chiao Bilingual School Team. Photo unattributed –

Kang Chiao International School is a private international school, located in the mountains of New Taipei City, offering an overseas college preparatory program for grades 7 -12. KCIS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is authorized to provide the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program to Grades 11 & 12.

8. Taoyuan American School

Some of the items which are found in a school. Photo by Element5 -Digital on

Taoyuan American School strives to be a model international school offering a broad and challenging American- based education to students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

9. Hsinchu American School

Hsinchu American School New Campus. Photo by HAS30067 –

Hsinchu American School was established to meet the educational needs of international students, enabling them to compete and thrive in the knowledge-based economies of the 21^st Century.

10. Hsinchu International School

Overhead shot of the Hsinchu American School building and campus. Photo by Hasadmission –

Hsinchu International School (also known as Hsinchu Holland International School) is a fully licensed, independent international school that has provided quality K-12 education for the children of foreign nationals living in the Hsinchu Taiwan, area since 1981.

The focus is on quality academic success linked to personal character growth and development.