Asia American International Academy vs VIS Experimental High School
Asia American International Academy and VIS Experimental High School are both in Taipei. Both schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) programmes, and Asia American International Academy also offers American. Published annual fees are NT$65,550 - 134,021 at Asia American International Academy and NT$130,180 - 151,478 at VIS Experimental High School, which puts VIS Experimental High School roughly 41% higher. Asia American International Academy takes pupils from 11 to 18, and VIS Experimental High School from 12 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 210 and 262 pupils.
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.
Location
VIS operates on two campuses in Taipei. The Senior High Campus is housed in the Xing Yuan Building of National Taiwan University on Roosevelt Road (No. 97, Sec. 1, Roosevelt Rd., Zhongzheng District), with MRT access at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. The Junior High and Elementary Campus is located at No. 13, Ln. 133, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Da'an District, Taipei City 106223 (MRT: Gongguan). The campuses are near NTU landmarks and other major city venues.
Stages
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.
Stages
VIS operates three divisions: Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High. The school lists Grade Levels as 5–12, with the Senior High campus at NTU and the Junior High/Elementary site on Roosevelt Rd.
School type
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.
School type
VIS is a private international school offering all-English courses. Academics are framed by the Ontario Curriculum, and the school maintains affiliations with CIS, WASC, College Board, and the British Council.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
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.
Additional learning support
The site notes an English as a Second Language (ESL) program as part of its academics. It does not publicly detail specific SEN (Special Educational Needs) provisions or facilities.
Country affiliation
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.
Country affiliation
Ontario Curriculum is the curricular framework, indicating a Canada (Ontario) affiliation for its standards.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
There is no religious affiliation indicated on the AAIA site.
Religious affiliation
VIS's official pages do not list any religious affiliation.
School day structure
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.
School day structure
VIS publishes an All-School Calendar, but fixed daily start and end times are not published on the public pages. Timings may vary by campus and division; parents should confirm hours with Admissions.
Bus service details
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.
Bus service details
Public information about a school bus service is not published on VIS's site. Given the campuses' Taipei locations and MRT access, families commonly use public transit or arrange their own drop-offs; for any transport arrangements, contact Admissions.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
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).
Fee details
VIS Experimental High School (Taipei) publishes its current fee schedule in the 2025 Admissions Brochure and on the official Tuition and Fees pages. The base figures below come from the school's published materials and reflect the 2025/2026 academic year structure (two semesters per year; fees listed per semester unless noted otherwise). All amounts are in New Taiwan Dollars (NT$).
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
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.
Curriculum details
VIS High School delivers a Project/Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum across disciplines, anchored to the Ontario provincial curriculum standards, which are shown on student transcripts. In Grade 9, students build and analyze written arguments, develop mathematical reasoning, conduct Taipei-area scientific investigations, expand global geographic knowledge, and study world and Taiwanese history using the historical method. In Grades 10–11, students select from a broad range of electives and participate in cooperative education programs in Taipei, including access to research and medical laboratories, university projects, and internships to build their academic and professional portfolios. In Grade 12, students design, develop, and complete a Capstone Project that localizes a global issue and delivers a locally impactful solution. Beyond core courses, VIS offers evening electives in modern languages (French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese language studies) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses to support international university pathways.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
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.
Admissions
VIS International Experimental Education provides a three-step admissions process for its primary, middle, and high school programs. Step 1 is Documents Submission: families submit a digital application form (downloadable from the site), complete an online English test, and provide the student's transcript/report card and attendance records. Step 2 is Interviews: the process includes a student interview and a family interview, conducted to assess fit and readiness. Step 3 is Acceptance and Enrollment: if offered admission, families receive an acceptance letter and a tuition bill, and must follow the enrollment instructions to finalize enrollment. The site also indicates fee information available to applicants during enrollment: the application/registration fee is NT$30,000 (one-time), and tuition is NT$268,000 per semester, with two semesters typically constituting a school year; additional fees may apply for textbooks, lab courses (NT$20,000 for G10 lab at NTU), after-school electives, student activities, PBL projects, lunch (about NT$3,300 per month), and clubs, among others. For reference on the fee schedule and what is included, see VIS Tuition and Fees and the Application/Enrollment steps on the VIS site.
Scholarships
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.
Scholarships
VIS offers scholarships with several pathways, including a primary VIS Scholarship program and additional merit-based options. VIS Scholarship (Honors Program) provides two main amounts: NT$500,000 in total (disbursed over six semesters) and NT$300,000 in total (also disbursed over six semesters). Each scholarship's annual maximum per semester can be up to half of the tuition, and applications are reviewed by VIS's academic and administrative leadership; eligibility includes strong academic performance and English interview performance. Eligibility criteria require top exam results (A++ in Taiwan's junior/high school exams in five subjects, or A++ in four subjects) plus an English interview, plus ongoing performance metrics such as attendance and grades, and a financial need assessment (income and housing criteria) to determine qualification. Required documents include an application form, transcripts, household registration records, bankbook copies, and related financial documents; applicants may apply after award notification, with a deadline of within one month after the award for many scholarship categories. Scholarships are disbursed directly to the recipient's bank account, and there are conditions for withdrawal of eligibility if fraud or major violations occur. Additional categories include Special Skills Scholarships (awarded for winning national or international competitions) with prizes ranging from NT$1,500 to NT$10,000 depending on placement, and Guidelines for Attending Academic Conference Scholarships (up to NT$20,000 per publication) with eligibility for VIS students presenting at conferences; each of these programs has its own application requirements, review procedures, deadlines, and disbursement rules. For the main VIS Scholarship, see the document “VIS 獎學金申請辦法” (awards up to NT$500,000 or NT$300,000), including eligibility and documentation; for Special Skills Scholarships, see “才藝特殊表現獎學金” with award amounts and required documents; for Academic Conference Scholarships see “參加學術研討會獎學金” with a maximum of NT$20,000 per publication and related requirements.
Waitlist
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.