I-Shou International School vs Kaohsiung American School

	I I-Shou International School Kaohsiung, Taiwan	K Kaohsiung American School Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year NT$4,602 - 8,762	Fees / year NT$7,554 - 8,894
Age range	Age range 6 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, British Curriculum, Canadian Curriculum, French Curriculum, Indian Curriculum, Vietnamese Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE	Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 600	Pupils 700
Typical class size	Typical class size 6	Typical class size 12
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2004	Opened 1989
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Location: 6 Xuecheng Road, Section 1, Dashu District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 840302. The IIS campus sits on the I-Shou University grounds in Dashu District, Kaohsiung, providing access to university facilities and a campus environment oriented toward higher education. The school operates a transportation network with Eda Bus Company to move hundreds of students to Kaohsiung City and surrounding areas.	Location Kaohsiung American School is located at 889 Cuihua Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (postal code 813035). The campus sits at the southern end of the Lotus Pond area and is accessible from Kaohsiung's rail networks, including the High Speed Rail and Taiwan Rail lines. The LEED-certified, modern campus serves PreK–12 in a setting described as green and expansive.
Stages	Stages Levels: NK-K2 Pre-School; Primary G1-G5; Middle Years G6-G8 (MYP); IGCSE G9-G10; Diploma G11-G12 (DP); Secondary Bilingual Programme G7-G12; Grade 7-12 National is also offered.	Stages The school offers a PreK–12 program, with an Elementary School (Pre-K through Grade 5), a Middle School (Grades 6–8), and a High School (Grades 9–12).
School type	School type School type: Private, co-educational, international/bilingual day school with a Boarding House option for some year groups.	School type Private, co-educational international school. The school operates as a private, fee-paying institution and is co-educational.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Additional learning support: The Student Support program provides life guidance and counseling; IIS counselors support personal growth and career goals, and if additional resources are needed, the school will work with the student and family to access appropriate help.	Additional learning support The school provides EAL (English as an Additional Language) and Student Support Services with a dedicated team that includes counselors and learning-support staff. The team offers social-emotional learning, language development, learning supports (in-class push-in, small-group or 1:1), and contracted services (Educational Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Psychiatrist, Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist).
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Country affiliation: The school is based in Taiwan and is accredited by the Taiwan Ministry of Education; it is not listed as affiliated with a specific country.	Country affiliation There is no formal country affiliation; KAS is described as a fully accredited international school.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Religious affiliation: No explicit religious affiliation is listed; IIS presents itself as a bilingual international day/boarding school.	Religious affiliation There is no religious affiliation stated by the school.
School day structure	School day structure Day structure: The school year runs from early September to late June. School hours are 8:00 a.m.–4:25 p.m. (grades 1–12) from Monday to Friday, with 8:00 a.m.–3:05 p.m. on Wednesdays for grades 1–12.	School day structure Elementary days typically run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. with a snack break (9:45–10:00) and a mid-day lunch/recess block (12:00–12:45). An early dismissal period (2:50–3:10) occurs on some days. (Hours shown for Elementary.)
Bus service details	Bus service details School bus service: IIS partners with the Eda Bus Company to transport hundreds of students across Kaohsiung and surrounding areas, with more than a dozen buses and four dedicated routes to Tainan. Buses arrive at school between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and depart at 5:10 p.m.; buses are modern, air-conditioned, and equipped with video cameras and GPS tracking.	Bus service details The school offers optional daily transportation to and from school for a fee. Transportation details and routes are coordinated by KAS; inquiries should go through Admissions.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application Fees - Application fee: TWD 3,000 per child, payable upon submission of the application form. This application fee is non-refundable. Tuition Fees (core tuition — per semester and per year) - Primary Lower Level (G1–G3): TWD 185,000 per semester — TWD 370,000 per year. - Primary Upper Level (G4–G5): TWD 187,500 per semester — TWD 375,000 per year. - Middle Years Programme / G6: TWD 237,300 per semester — TWD 474,600 per year. - International Middle Years (G7–G8): TWD 237,300 per semester — TWD 474,600 per year. - Cambridge IGCSE (G9): TWD 242,000 per semester — TWD 484,000 per year. - Middle Years / G10: TWD 270,800 per semester — TWD 541,600 per year. - Diploma Programme (G11–G12): TWD 273,800 per semester — TWD 547,600 per year. - National Programme (Bilingual) G7–G9: TWD 143,800 per semester — TWD 287,600 per year. - National Programme (Bilingual) G10–G12: TWD 162,100 per semester — TWD 324,200 per year. These amounts are listed as the core tuition charges (per semester) and can be doubled to calculate the annual tuition. Required Fees (per semester unless otherwise stated) - Lunch: TWD 12,000 per semester. - Health examination: TWD 300 – TWD 1,325 (first semester only and subject to grade level). - Parent Association fee: TWD 100 per household. - Student insurance: TWD 200 per semester. Additional Fees and Typical Ranges (per semester or as noted) - Bus fee (subject to frequency of rides): TWD 20,000 – TWD 43,500 per semester. - Boarding fee (subject to number of boarding days): TWD 62,000 – TWD 135,000 per semester. Daily breakfast and dinner are included. An TWD 8,000 medical emergency deposit will be withheld prior to check–in; the unused amount will be refunded at the end of each school year. - Pastoral care for international students (where the school arranges guardianship support): TWD 15,000 per semester. - Books (subject to grade level): TWD 2,000 – TWD 30,000 per semester. - Uniform: TWD 5,000 – TWD 9,000 (subject to number of pieces). - DP (Diploma Programme) exam registration & administration fee: TWD 4,200 per subject. - E.X.P.L.O.R.E. Program Trips — overseas: TWD 120,000 – NTD 200,000 (per trip); on‑island trip TWD 15,000 – TWD 40,000 (per trip). Note: fees do not include purchases such as school uniform, personal equipment or IT devices, external examination charges, excursions, school bus and overseas trips, and after‑school activities provided by external providers; some additional charges may require direct or advance payment. Billing Schedule and Payment Terms - Billing frequency and timing: Fees are payable on a term‑by‑term basis and must be paid in advance. Discounts are available for families with two or more children enrolled; please inquire for details. - Payment options: online credit card payments, bank counters, ATMs, remittance, and online ATM transfers (payments are processed via the bank e‑billing system). After bank transfer or remittance, a scanned copy of the transfer should be emailed to the school or the transfer faxed; the school requests the full name of the child(ren) and entry grade level be included with payment documentation. Refunds, Deposits and Related Policies - Application fee: non-refundable. - Boarding medical emergency deposit (TWD 8,000): the unused portion of this deposit will be refunded at the end of each school year.	Fee details Application / Assessment Fees - Assessment fee (if required for new applicants): TWD 5,000. Assessment fee must be paid in cash when requested by the school. Tuition (per semester) and equivalent annual amounts (calculated as 2 × semester) - PreKindergarten–Grade 5: TWD 236,050 per semester (equivalent to TWD 472,100 per academic year, calculated as 2 × semester). - Grades 6–8: TWD 261,400 per semester (equivalent to TWD 522,800 per academic year, calculated as 2 × semester). - Grades 9–12: TWD 277,950 per semester (equivalent to TWD 555,900 per academic year, calculated as 2 × semester). Required, one-off and recurring fees - Annual registration fee (all students): TWD 35,000; this fee is non-refundable and is payable for the full academic year even when a student starts in the Spring semester. - Capital fees: - New student, first-time capital fee (one-time): TWD 200,000. - Existing student capital fee (per semester): TWD 10,000; discounts apply for additional children from the same family (TWD 2,500 per semester discount for second child; TWD 5,000 per semester discount for third and subsequent children). - Middle School Comprehensive Technology Program Fee (mandatory, one-time for students entering Middle School): TWD 35,000; fee covers a 14-inch convertible Chromebook, parental management software, and three years of support; the fee is non-refundable and the device ownership transfers to the family when leaving KAS or Middle School. - English Language Learner (ELL) fees (per semester, assessed by WIDA level when ELL support is required): - WIDA 0–2: TWD 65,000 per semester. - WIDA 3–4: TWD 50,000 per semester. - WIDA 5–6: TWD 35,000 per semester. - WIDA 6+: TWD 10,000 per semester. Fees for ELL services must be paid within 30 days of receiving the invoice. Other costs and optional services - Lunch: available for purchase through the school for a fee; families may elect to order lunch. - Transportation: optional daily school bus service available for a fee. - Additional possible charges during a semester: fees for field trips and excursions, replacement costs for lost or damaged textbooks/workbooks/library books/laptops, fees for specialist assessments and therapies (e.g., speech & language, educational psychology), fees for after-school or off-campus activities provided by outside providers, and other incidental charges. - Textbooks and workbooks are included in tuition; ELL and other listed fees are excluded and must be paid separately. Billing schedule and payment terms - Academic year structure: two semesters (Fall and Spring). Tuition and fees are billed per semester. - Default payment due dates (if no other invoice date is stated): Fall Semester payments due on or before May 15; Spring Semester payments due on or before November 15. Registration fee for existing students is due on or before March 15 if no invoice due date is specified. - Proration: tuition may be prorated for new students who enroll after a semester has begun (proration applies when enrollment starts more than 20 School Days after the semester start; tuition is calculated using a daily rate). - Sibling discount: a 15% tuition discount applies to the third and any additional students from the same family; the discount is applied to the lowest tuition rate among the siblings. - Late payment charges: a late payment penalty of 2% of the outstanding fees plus late payment interest at 5% per annum (calculated daily) will be charged on unpaid balances. The school may suspend student access to services or refuse to hold a seat if fees are unpaid. Refund information and withdrawal - Withdrawal notice and refunds are handled in writing to the Admissions Office. Refund percentages for tuition, ELL, lunch and bus fees depend on the timing of the written withdrawal notice as follows: - Written notice received before the start of the semester: 75% refund of tuition, ELL, lunch and bus fees. - Written notice received on or within the first four calendar weeks of the semester: 50% refund of tuition, ELL, lunch and bus fees. - Written notice received on or after the first day of the fifth calendar week of the semester: no refund. - Other fees paid (including registration and capital fees) are not refundable unless the policy explicitly allows it; registration and capital fees are stated as non-refundable in the fee schedule. All fees are non-transferable. - No refunds are provided in the event of a force majeure event as defined in the school fee policy (this includes severe weather, epidemics/pandemics, government-mandated closures, and similar events). Boarding - KAS operates as a day school (no boarding facilities); therefore there are no boarding fees. Fee payment options and instructions - Payments must be made in cleared funds in cash or by remittance to the bank account nominated in writing by the school; assessment fees may be required to be paid in cash upon request. Parents must pay fees on or before the invoice due date.
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 The school is an IB World School authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), and to teach the Taiwan Ministry of Education National Curriculum for Grades 9–12. The Primary Department in Grades 1–6 completes the PYP and MYP in a blended IB and MOE programme in a bilingual environment with dual-homeroom teachers. The MYP runs from Grade 6 to 10, and Grades 9–10 can follow the Cambridge IGCSE as part of a dual-track junior pathway, while Grades 11–12 pursue the IB Diploma Programme. The Diploma Programme core components are Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity and Service, with DP subjects across six groups: Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics and the Arts. A National/MOE pathway is available for Grades 7–12, and the school emphasizes inquiry-based learning, international-mindedness and university admissions support for both local and international destinations.	Curriculum details Kaohsiung American School offers a PK–12 curriculum that blends U.S. standards with the International Baccalaureate framework. Elementary School (Pre-K–Grade 5) follows American standards for core subjects—English, mathematics, science, social studies—with integrated English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and Chinese instruction, and includes STEAM, arts, PE, and music. Middle School (Grades 6–8) uses the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), with the MYP continuing into High School (Grades 9–10) and culminating in the Personal Project, along with advisory and enrichment experiences such as Envision Formosa. High School (Grades 9–12) combines the MYP through Grade 10 with the Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11–12, offering the IB Diploma, IB Bilingual Diploma, or DP subject certificates, while graduates receive a U.S. high school diploma. The school provides English language and learning support through EAL, Learning Support, and contracted specialists, with a full counseling team across levels.
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 Step 1: Submit Application and Supporting Documents. Submit a completed Application Form for I-Shou International School along with identification documents. For Taiwanese citizens, include a copy of the applicant's passport; for international applicants, include copies of the passport and the Alien Resident Certificate. Official transcripts or report cards from the previous two academic years must be provided, and if the school is outside Taiwan, authorization of the two academic years' report cards is required. An application fee of NT$3,000 per child is payable upon submission and is non-refundable. Admission remains subject to age eligibility, fulfillment of selection criteria, the school having a place in the appropriate year, and payment of enrolment fees and the first term's tuition, along with written acceptance of the Terms and Conditions.	Admissions 1. Online application: Submit the online application for the upcoming school year. Applications are accepted year-round, and the admissions process for the next year begins in the spring. After you submit the application, the admissions team will contact you to schedule a campus visit and to answer any questions you may have. 2. Schedule a campus visit: A campus visit is arranged through the admissions team, and families are encouraged to visit on campus. Visits are offered Monday through Friday at 9:30 AM or 1:30 PM and typically last about one hour. The visit provides an opportunity to see classrooms, meet staff, and get a sense of the school culture. 3. Entry requirements: Each applicant must hold a valid foreign passport. For grades PK-2, fluent English is not required, but stronger English skills improve the likelihood of acceptance due to limited ELL spaces. For grades 3–12, a student must be able to read and write in English to have a chance at passing the English proficiency exam required before acceptance. Students in grades 8–12 must have good academic English proficiency to be successful in the program. 4. Admissions screening: After screening, there is a placement exam and an English language evaluation. Families may also interview with teachers or school principals as part of the process. The screening helps determine grade placement and readiness for the curriculum. 5. Admission decision: The admissions committee reviews applications and informs families of the status, which can be accepted, waitlisted, or declined. Decisions are communicated formally to allow families to plan next steps. 6. Onboarding for admitted students: Once admitted, families begin the onboarding process, and students join the Dragon community with an orientation or welcoming activities. The onboarding is designed to integrate new students into their grade cohort and school routines. 7. Waitlist/pool: If there are no spots available in a student's grade, the family is placed on a waitlist. The school contacts families as soon as space becomes available, and waitlisted families may move into a spot earlier if higher-priority candidates enroll. 8. Tours and ongoing questions: Families can schedule additional campus tours or ask questions as they consider KAS. The admissions team remains available to provide information on timelines, grade-level specifics, and placement criteria.
Scholarships	Scholarships Step 3: Interview and Testing. Upon successful review, an oral interview and tests are scheduled; the applicant and family transfer the application and test fee of NT$3,000 prior to the interview and testing. The test and interview scope varies by program: PYP Grade 1-5 requires an oral interview plus English, Chinese, and Math; MYP Grade 6-8 and 10 require an oral interview plus English and Chinese tests; Cambridge IGCSE Grade 9 requires English and Chinese tests; Diploma Programme Grade 11-12 requires English and Chinese tests; National Programme Grade 7-12 requires a bilingual oral interview plus English, Chinese, and Math tests. Testing typically lasts 1 to 2.5 hours depending on age and requirements. An in-class morning/afternoon session may be included as part of the admissions review process., Step 4: Acceptance Decision. After testing and a final documents review, an acceptance decision is made. If accepted, tuition and fees must be paid by the designated due date to reserve the seat; failure to meet the deadline may result in forfeiture of enrollment and placement on the waiting list. An accepted applicant must provide Student Medical Information and Student Enrollment Information as a condition of enrollment; IIS will not discuss or release an applicant's information to anyone other than the applicant and the parent/legal guardian, and applications from educational agencies or consultants are not accepted. , Step 5: Enrollment Documentation and Confirmation. Following acceptance and written confirmation, the family completes enrollment paperwork, including medical and enrollment forms. All submitted documents become the property of IIS and are not returned after the application process; further, the school emphasizes confidentiality and does not release information to third parties without written consent. (Citations: Admissions Overview; Entry Requirements)	Scholarships KAS does not publish or advertise any scholarships on its admissions pages.
Waitlist	Waitlist Step 2: Review and waitlist. After submission, the Admissions Office reviews the documents to determine whether an interview and test can be offered. If the applicant meets the criteria, the family is contacted to schedule an interview and testing. If no place is available in the requested year, the applicant is placed on a waiting list, and families are contacted as spaces become available. Depending on time since the last assessment, a further assessment may be required, and this second assessment may be offered at no charge.	Waitlist KAS uses a waitlist for grades where spaces are not currently available. If there are no spots in your child's grade, your family is placed on the waitlist and will be contacted as space becomes available. This waitlist can shift if higher-priority applicants enroll.
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