Acton Academy Taipei vs Asia American International Academy

	A Acton Academy Taipei Taipei, Taiwan	A Asia American International Academy Taipei, Taiwan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year NT$94,760	Fees / year NT$65,550 - 134,021
Age range	Age range 6 - 18 years	Age range 11 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge (Secondary), British Curriculum, IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), Cambridge IGCSE, American Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary)	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Pupils	Pupils 15	Pupils 210
Typical class size	Typical class size 8	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2018	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Acton Academy Taipei operates two Taipei campuses. The elementary studio is a two-minute walk from Xinbeitou MRT Station, with nearby parks, a public library, galleries, and hiking trails. The middle/high school studio is a three-minute walk from Guting MRT Station, with access to indoor gym and science labs and opportunities for university research apprenticeships; a high school studio for grades 10–12 is planned to launch in Fall 2026.	Location Asia American International Academy is located at No.23, Alley 37, Ln. 542, Sec. 1, Wenhua N. Rd., Linkou District, New Taipei City 244, Taiwan. The campus sits in Linkou, New Taipei City, and is accessible from Taoyuan Airport MRT stations A8 Chang-Gung Station or A9 Linkou Station, with a 5–10 minute ride to campus. Public transit options include bus routes 936 and 937 from Yuanshan Station, 967 and 966 from Taipei Station, and 946 from Neihu to AAIA. Parking on campus is limited and reservation is required for private cars.
Stages	Stages Acton Taipei serves grades 1–6 in an elementary studio and grades 7–9 in a middle school studio. A high school studio for grades 10–12 is planned to launch in Fall 2026.	Stages AAIA offers a two-tier structure: Middle School (grades 6–8) and High School (grades 9–12). The school serves students in grades 6–12.
School type	School type Acton Taipei is a non-profit learning organization within the Acton Academy network. It describes itself as learner-driven and not Montessori, and uses multi-age cohorts.	School type AAIA is a private, co-educational, independent school offering a college-preparatory program for grades 6–12. The site does not list boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school aims to be inclusive and notes that high-functioning students with learning differences can thrive with the right support from family and outside therapists; each child's needs are assessed on a case-by-case basis.	Additional learning support AAIA provides language support for students who are new to international schools. The International Education Center offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) for middle school and international exchange opportunities for high school.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation There is no country-affiliation formal label for the school. It is Taiwan-based and is accredited through the International Association of Learner Driven Schools (based in the United States) and approved by the Taipei City Government as an experimental education group; it is a non-profit foundation registered in Taiwan.	Country affiliation AAIA presents an American-based curriculum and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC); it has consent for establishment with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). There is no formal national affiliation stated beyond this American framework.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation There is no religious affiliation; Acton Taipei states that children and families of all faiths are welcome.	Religious affiliation There is no religious affiliation indicated on the AAIA site.
School day structure	School day structure Elementary day starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:00 PM. The academic year runs from late August/early September to late June/early July.	School day structure The AAIA site does not publish standard daily start/end times on its pages; families should consult the online calendar for the schedule of classes, breaks, and events.
Bus service details	Bus service details The official site does not list a school bus service. The campuses are within short walking distance of Xinbeitou and Guting MRT stations, suggesting transportation primarily via public transit.	Bus service details AAIA does not operate its own bus service. Public transit bus options to campus include routes 936 and 937 from Yuanshan Station, 967 and 966 from Taipei Station, and 946 from Neihu.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Acton Academy Taipei – Fees information (as of January 3, 2026) is taken from the school's official site and admissions FAQ. The school currently serves Grades 1–6 in Elementary and Grades 7–9 in Middle School, with a High School launching for Grades 10–12 in Fall 2026. The published figures below reflect the most recent official data available for the current public materials.	Fee details Asia American International Academy (AAIA) – Fees overview for 2025 Fall and 2026 Spring (current academic year). The fees below reflect the published Semester Billing Policy and related fee schedule used for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. All figures are in NT$ (New Taiwan Dollars).
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Acton Academy Taipei currently serves grades 1–9 and plans to launch a high school program in Fall 2026. The curriculum is learner-centered and project-based, organized around Learn to Do, Learn to Learn, and Learn to Be, with real-world quests such as the Medical Biology Quest and an Architecture Quest. Core Skills cover foundational subjects (reading and math) at each student's own pace, using adaptive software and hands-on work, while the program avoids homework and traditional grades. The program also emphasizes collaboration and creating, supporting social-emotional development and the production of tangible, hands-on results from projects. Learn to Be focuses on character and leadership, including Servant Leader Badges and Socratic Discussions as part of a Hero's Journey.	Curriculum details AAIA offers an American-based curriculum for grades 6–12, aligned with U.S. standards and AP opportunities, taught by North American‑certified teachers, and it is WASC-accredited. In Middle School (grades 6–8), students follow a daily schedule built on core subjects (two English language arts classes, mathematics, science, and history) with rotating electives such as art, music, Spanish, and PE, complemented by an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program. Middle School does not use a credits system for graduation; students must pass all core courses to be promoted, with possible repetition or enrollment rescission if two or more core courses are failed. In High School (grades 9–12), students take a four-block rotating schedule with up to eight courses per year, including AP courses as early as 10th grade, and graduation credits that align with California requirements. The IEC supports middle school EAL and high school international exchanges for credit, while the College and Career Readiness program provides college counseling and application support for 9–12 students.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. The school notes that you can arrange either a virtual or in-person tour, which is helpful for families outside Taipei. Acton Taipei has two campuses: the elementary program is near Xinbeitou MRT, and the middle/high program is near Guting MRT, so the tour can help you understand which campus fits your child. The school also states that a high school for grades 10–12 is planned to launch in Fall 2026. (Virtual tours are available; in-person tours are offered at the Beitou and Güting locations.)	Admissions 1. Admissions Process 1. Step 1 – Initial inquiry and quick start: To begin, AAIA offers a simplified path where you can start with a completed initial application form, submit any available recent records (in Chinese, covering the last two years if applicable), and be aware of a non-refundable English proficiency exam fee. The school notes that the English proficiency exam is required for every student and that completing this step does not guarantee enrollment. Be prepared for potential follow-up questions from the admissions team as they assess readiness and fit. 2. Step 2 – Move to the full application: If you proceed beyond the initial form, you'll complete a full AAIA application. The process includes submitting the full application form and ensuring you provide the English proficiency exam results as part of the packet. This stage also reiterates that an English language test is used to determine placement into appropriate program tracks (Mainstream, EAL Guided Support, or EAL Sheltered), or to indicate that a minimum English proficiency level is not met. 3. Step 3 – Language placement and program options: For students in grades 6–12, AAIA administers an English Language Test. Based on the test scores, candidates may be admitted to the Mainstream program, an EAL Guided Support program, or an EAL Sheltered program, or be advised that they do not meet the minimum English proficiency for enrollment. It's important to understand that the placement decision is made after the assessment and is final per AAIA governance. 4. Step 4 – Admission decision, waitlists, and start date: Admission decisions are made by AAIA administration, with the Executive Director having final say. If admitted, you'll receive an official acceptance letter that states the student's start date. The school also notes that a student's standing on waitlists can change as other applicants with higher priority apply, and that seat guarantees must still meet the same admission requirements as non-guaranteed seats. 5. Step 5 – Post-acceptance and next steps: If your child is offered a seat, you'll follow the documented start date and enrollment steps provided in the acceptance letter. The school presents priority rules (see below) and emphasizes that AAIA is a foreign school admitting students with foreign nationality, so families should review eligibility and timelines carefully.
Scholarships	Scholarships 3) Step 3 – One-week trial: After the online application, the school invites the child to a one-week trial. The trial fee is 10,000 NT$, which is non-refundable, and any materials or subscriptions ordered for the trial will stay with the school; these items are subsequently returned if the child does not enroll. If the child enrolls, the trial fee is credited toward the first semester tuition.	Scholarships 3. Scholarships AAIA's publicly published pages do not describe a scholarship or financial-aid program. The Admissions and Fees sections outline application steps, English-language placement, and a detailed tuition/fee schedule, but there is no reference to need-based or merit-based scholarships on the site. If you require financial considerations beyond the standard fee schedule, you should contact the Director of Admissions for any possible options or arrangements.
Waitlist	Waitlist 2) Step 2 – Online application after the tour: If both sides feel there could be a good fit after the tour, you'll be asked to fill out an online application form. As part of the application, you must provide the email address of your child's current teacher, and the school cannot move forward until they hear back from that teacher. This step emphasizes getting a teacher reference before the process proceeds. (Email to start: hello@actontaipei.org.)	Waitlist 2. Waitlist/Pool AAIA maintains a waitlist as part of its admissions process, and the status of a student on the waitlist can change as applications from higher-priority students are received and evaluated. The school explicitly notes that waitlist standings may shift based on other applicants with higher priority, which is consistent with its published admission priority order. In the meantime, AAIA indicates that the campus is currently at full enrollment in all grades and suggests contacting the Director of Admissions for the latest availability and next steps.
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