Comparing 3 schools side by side in USD.
LIFT operates across two campuses in Taipei's Xinyi District. The Primary Campus is Liu Gong Junior High Establishment at No. 15, Lane 221, Fude Street, Taipei 110. The Secondary Campus is Yong Chun Senior High Establishment at No. 654, Songshan Road, Taipei 110. The Primary Campus is accessible by public transport: about a 15-minute walk from Houshanpi Station on the Blue Line and a 15-minute bus ride from Taipei 101/Xiangshan Station (buses run frequently). A Red Line terminal is planned to be located next to the campus in 2025.
The Primary Campus serves CP to CM2 (grades 1–5). The Secondary Campus covers the French middle-school range, described as 6ème to 4ème (roughly grades 6–8).
LIFT is a French international, day school operating on two campuses; there is no publicly listed boarding facility. It is part of the AEFE network, serving as a French establishment in Taiwan.
Public materials do not describe formal SEN provisions. The school emphasizes a caring, inclusive, multilingual community. Families seeking details on Additional Learning Needs support should contact the school directly.
LIFT is a French international establishment affiliated with the AEFE network (France's international education system) in Taipei.
No religious affiliation is indicated in public materials; the school presents a secular, international program.
School days are listed as weekday sessions, with a timetable around 07:30–17:00; Saturday and Sunday are not listed as school days.
LIFT does not publish a dedicated school bus service in public materials. Access is via public transport: the Primary Campus is about a 15-minute walk from Houshanpi Station (Blue Line) and a 15-minute bus ride from Taipei 101/Xiangshan Station, with buses every few minutes. Families rely on public transit rather than a school-provided bus.
The school is a non-profit establishment financed by tuition, sponsorship and donations; it has no private investment and any surplus is reinvested into LIFT development. LIFT was established in 2022, and governance is transparent, inclusive and participatory, with a Board of 9 members consisting of parent representatives, the Head of School and representatives of the French business community. Operational management is led by the Head of School along with the teaching and administration team.
LIFT follows the French national education curriculum for primary and secondary education, organized into three cycles: Cycle 2 (CP–CE2), Cycle 3 (CM1–CM2), and Cycle 4 (5e–3e), with core subjects including French, mathematics, science, history-geography, civic education, arts, and physical education. From CP onward, students follow a trilingual model in French, English, and Mandarin, with two language tracks available: French–English or French–Mandarin; all students study all three languages within the timetable, with instruction delivered by teams of native-speaking teachers. Language instruction hours vary by cycle and track, for example in Cycle 2 English LV1 is 5 hours per week and Mandarin LV2 is 2 hours, while in Cycle 3 English LV1 is 6 hours and Mandarin LV2 is 2 hours. LIFT positions itself to align with AEFE's Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) framework, with the school indicating that the BFI will certify studies in the future. The Secondary program covers 6ème to 4ème and maintains the same trilingual, AEFE-aligned approach as students prepare for higher education in a multilingual, multicultural context.
LIFT states that pupil well-being and benevolence are at the heart of its educational project. The school supports SEL through regular civic education, class and students' councils, and philosophy discussions aimed at building empathy and conflict-resolution skills. The policies include a structured approach to prevent harassment, with steps such as civic-education sessions, student-class and student-council activities, and philosophical discussions to foster empathy and conflict management. Families are invited to participate in co-education through the Parents' Club, reinforcing SEL across home and school. The curriculum also includes citizenship and digital-literacy awareness to promote safe and respectful interaction among students. The school governance structures (School Council and Students' Council) provide channels for student voice and participation.
LIFT notes inclusive practices and provides individualized tracks for pupils with disabilities. The school is described within the AEFE network, aligning with French national standards for education and inclusion. The public materials emphasize inclusion and differentiated support rather than describing a dedicated SEN department. This SEN-related information is drawn from the school's Choosing the French School page and AEFE network listing.
LIFT presents a true trilingual program across French, English, and Mandarin. From the start of schooling (CP), families choose between two language tracks (French/English or French/Mandarin) while all students learn all three languages. The school provides an integrated and free French as a Foreign Language (FLE) program, plus English and Mandarin language support to ensure access to the curriculum. Differentiation and personalized pacing accompany the multilingual approach, supported by a three-teacher-per-class model delivering instruction in the three languages. The institution emphasizes language development as a core part of wellbeing and academic success.
Pupils' well-being is a priority in the French educational framework, and LIFT articulates a holistic, well-being–oriented approach within its policies. The curriculum promotes a climate of benevolence and safety, with attention to social and emotional development through regular civic activities and discussions. The school highlights the importance of feelings, self-regulation, and social skills as part of its everyday approach. Activities across sports, arts, and culture support emotional and social growth and contribute to self-confidence. The emphasis on living together in differences underpins a respectful and inclusive school culture.
LIFT outlines a formal stance against all forms of harassment, aligning with Education Nationale expectations and placing student well-being at the center. The policy describes a three-part approach: preventive education (civic education, class and student councils, philosophical discussions), effective intervention via a protective staff committee, and family involvement through workshops and a resources platform. There is a clear commitment to a climate of safety and respect, with digital-citizenship awareness included as part of safeguarding. The school's governance includes the School Council and the Students' Council, which support safeguarding through student representation and feedback. The AEFE network listing confirms LIFT's alignment with international safeguarding standards.
1. Admissions overview and intake for 2025/26
LIFT currently lists intake for the 2025/26 establishment year as offering elementary levels CP to CM2 and classes for 6ème, 5ème and 4ème in the secondary program. This sets clear eligibility: your child would need to be in the appropriate level for CP–CM2 or 6ème/5ème/4ème to apply. Families should review the offered levels before scheduling the first meeting.
2. Schedule a family meeting with the Establisment Head
The first step in the admissions process is to schedule a family meeting. The Establishment Head meets with each family either online or on site to answer questions and help determine whether LIFT is the best fit for the child's education. Families are instructed to request a meeting through the online booking system. This meeting is a prerequisite to moving forward in the process.
3. Post-meeting follow-up and decision to enroll
After the family meeting, the school will remain in touch by email to continue the admissions conversation. The process notes that class sizes are limited to a maximum of 20 pupils, which underscores the importance of timely communication. If the family decides to enroll, the next step is payment of the registration fee to secure a place.
4. Registration and fees to secure a place
In the 2025/26 intake, the school requires payment of a one-time registration fee to confirm enrollment. The registration fee is published as 51,500 NT$ and is non-refundable once enrollment is official. Tuition is not included in this fee and is charged separately, in line with the semester-based schedule and other cost notes described in the school's financial policies. Families should also be aware that tuition is paid in two semesters and that the basic policy notes include deadlines and possible refunds as outlined in the Financial Regulations and Pricing Policy.
Note on documentation and timelines: The public pages describe the meeting and payment steps but do not list a detailed document checklist on the site. Families typically review document requirements and deadlines during the family meeting or via the admissions contact, so it is advisable to complete the online booking promptly and prepare for the meeting.
Scholarships and financial support
LIFT's Scholarships page describes establishment scholarships for French students residing abroad, reserved for institutions accredited by the French Ministry of National Education. French families enrolled at LIFT in primary education are eligible for establishment scholarships for the current year. The page directs readers to the AEFE general framework and to the French Office in Taipei's materials for details on scholarships for 2025–2026. LIFT also notes intent to develop an internal solidarity fund to finance scholarships, in collaboration with AEFE and the French Office.
Important caveats: Scholarship eligibility and application pathways are described in relation to French government/AEFE frameworks, which means scholarships are not automatically granted to non-French families. The French Office in Taipei's materials and the AEFE framework are the primary reference points for eligibility and application timelines. For 2024/25, the site notes that French families can contact the French Office in Taipei for information on government scholarships.
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.
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.
School type: Private, co-educational, international/bilingual day school with a Boarding House option for some year groups.
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.
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.
Religious affiliation: No explicit religious affiliation is listed; IIS presents itself as a bilingual international day/boarding school.
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 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.
Boarding is available for students in grades 6–12, with residence offered on all days of the week. Boarders have a living space and belong to a house group, with daily routines and after-school activities designed to support academics and personal development. Facilities include shared bedrooms, a student common center with a kitchen, lounge, meeting rooms, and a game room, plus a gym and laundry facilities. The cafeteria provides buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner for boarders, and night study is supervised each evening.
Uniforms are compulsory for all students. There are different uniforms for different age ranges, and separate sports and formal wear are used for activities and occasions.
Lunch is provided daily. Primary students have a snack during the afternoon break. Grades 9–12 students eat lunch in the university food court, and lunch fees are not included in tuition.
I-Shou International School uses a House System to promote positive student relationships, a sense of belonging, and school identity. Students are assigned to a house group and can participate in house activities and competitions.
The school is privately owned and independent, governed by a Board of Governors as prescribed by Taiwan law and best practice guidelines set forth by the Council of International Schools. The Board comprises 11 members and is responsible for the school's overall direction, financial stewardship, and administration.
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.
I-Shou International School provides Life Guidance and Counseling to support Social and Emotional Learning, offering a safe environment to express thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, set personal goals, and explore potential with counselors who coordinate with families if additional resources are needed.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, staff, or whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL provisions; there is a Secondary Bilingual Programme (G7-G12), but no published EAL policy.
Mental wellbeing is supported through Life Guidance and Counseling, which helps students develop positive skills, personal growth, and career planning in a confidential setting.
Safeguarding is addressed through confidential counseling with mandated reporting for imminent harm and reporting to Taiwanese Child Protection Services in abuse or related under-18 cases.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There is no religious affiliation; Acton Taipei states that children and families of all faiths are welcome.
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.
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.
The campus has a kitchen for cooking and baking activities; lunch and recess are taken at the public playground daily, weather permitting.
Acton Taipei is accredited through the International Association of Learner Driven Schools; approved by the Taipei City Government as an experimental education group (愛騰共學團); and a non-profit foundation registered in Taiwan (台灣愛騰實驗教育協會).
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.
Acton Academy Taipei supports social-emotional learning within its learner-centered model. The school emphasizes collaboration across ages to help students form real friendships and develop personal accountability. Character development is integrated into daily practice through 'Learn to BE,' including Servant Leader Badges and Socratic discussions. The school also uses 'Running Partners'—peer partners who meet to set goals and hold each other accountable. Overall, SEL is woven into core practices such as collaborative projects, guided self-direction, and reflective discussions.
The school describes itself as inclusive and states that high-functioning students with learning differences can thrive with the right support from family and outside therapists. It indicates that assessment of children with learning differences is done on a case-by-case basis. The site does not list dedicated SEN staff or specialist SEN programs. There is no public description of formal SEN qualifications or a dedicated SEN department. Families are encouraged to discuss unique needs with the school to determine suitable support.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL.
Wellbeing is addressed indirectly through the school's SEL-focused framework. The emphasis on collaboration and multi-age grouping fosters supportive peer relationships and social connectedness. 'Learn to BE' emphasizes character development, critical thinking, and accountable decision-making, which contribute to emotional resilience. The use of peer-run structures like Running Partners supports peer support and social-emotional growth. There is no separate, publicly described mental health service or wellbeing program beyond these SEL elements.
The school does not publicly disclose safeguarding or child protection policies on its website.
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.)
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.
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.)
