Comparing 3 schools side by side in USD.
MDID is located at 497, Sec. 1, Zhongshan Rd., Wuri District, Taichung City 414328, Taiwan. It sits on the Mingdao High School campus in Taichung's Wuri District. The campus is in a suburban area with convenient access by local transport.
MDID offers the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 7–10, the IB Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12, and the Career-related Programme (CP). DP was authorized in 2018, MYP in 2019, and CP authorization was granted in 2023.
MDID is co-educational and operates on a day-and-boarding model; boarding facilities are MIXED, i.e., available to both genders.
MDID's public materials describe instruction in English with Chinese and a second foreign language offered; there is no publicly listed dedicated SEN/ALN page on the English-language site.
MDID is based in Taiwan and operates as an IB World School in Taichung. There is no separate country affiliation published; the school is located in Taiwan.
MDID does not publicly list a religious affiliation in its public materials.
The school day runs 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Classes are organised as eight 50-minute blocks in a five-day cycle.
MDID operates a school bus system with multiple routes. Students register for their stop via a student interface or the Mingdao app; there is a ‘return trip' swap option if seats are available, starting in the fourth week of term. There are several bus modes, including a morning/afternoon route, after-school bus (18:20), evening self-study bus (21:10), and a Saturday arts activities bus, with semester-based fees calculated by distance and days. Details and schedules are managed through the school bus system and related links.
MDID provides on-campus boarding for students. Boarding facilities are mixed (co-educational). On-campus dormitories are located on the Mingdao campus, with the Ming Heng Building housing the student dormitories and the Ming Yuan Building housing MDID facilities.
Clothing: On the first day, students wear the formal uniform; embroidery of a student ID on the uniform is not required yet. Uniforms can be purchased through the Estore for additional sets.
MDID is an on-campus department of Mingdao High School, a private school in Taichung, Taiwan. MDID presents itself as Mingdao High School International Department, the IB-enabled division of the private school.
MDID offers IB programs: MYP (Grades 7–10), DP (Grades 11–12), and CP (authorized 2023), with MYP/DP IB authorizations in 2019 and 2018 respectively. The school operates mainly in English, with Chinese language and a second foreign language taught as part of the curriculum. In MYP, the curriculum covers Language and Literature (English and Chinese), Language Acquisition (English Language Acquisition; Chinese Language Acquisition) and Second Foreign Languages (French, Spanish, German, Japanese), as well as Design, Sciences (including Integrated Science for 7–8 and Biology & Chemistry for 9 and Physics for 10), and Arts (Performing Arts and Visual Arts in 7–8; one of these in 9–10). DP and CP integrate IB requirements including the CAS component, with MDID aligning to IB learner profiles and approaches to learning. MDID follows MOE requirements and uses a semester system with 50-minute classes across eight blocks in a five-day cycle.
MDID emphasizes holistic education that nurtures students academically, emotionally, socially, and physically. The core values are Holistic, Character, and Humanity, underscoring development in emotional and social domains. The IB Learner Profile at MDID includes caring as one of its ten attributes, guiding students toward empathy and global citizenship. MDID's Global Citizenship Program (GCP) and the IB framework (MYP/DP/CP) provide structure that supports social and emotional growth through international-mindedness and inquiry. Co-curricular programs, including Model United Nations and debate, as well as sports, supplement SEL by promoting teamwork and communication. Overseas extracurricular activities reinforce social responsibility and balanced development.
MDID publishes policy documents for students, including MDID Student Handbook and MDID Student Policy. The content of these policies is hosted on external Google Docs and is not publicly viewable on the MDID site. The school does not publicly disclose specific SEN provisions or whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution. Instruction is delivered in English, with Chinese and other languages offered as part of the language program. Public MDID policies do not specify SEN staff or support structures.
The language of instruction at MDID is English. MDID offers Chinese as part of the language program and provides additional language options as second foreign languages, including French, Spanish, German, and Japanese. This public information confirms English as the primary language of instruction and a multilingual language program beyond English.
MDID emphasizes holistic education and the IB Learner Profile's emphasis on caring as a core attribute. Social and emotional learning is supported through a range of co-curricular activities such as MUN, debate, and athletics, which foster social engagement and teamwork. A formal counseling framework is referenced by the MDID materials as the 110-1 International Department Student Counseling Regulations. Public materials do not describe a standalone mental wellbeing program in detail.
MDID references a safeguarding-related document: the 110-1 International Department Student Counseling Regulations for student welfare. The Policies and Handbooks section lists MDID Student Handbook and MDID Student Policy among other documents, with links to external Google Docs. The contents of these documents are not publicly viewable on the MDID site. This indicates an established policy framework governing student welfare, though specific safeguarding procedures are not disclosed in public web pages.
Initiate inquiry and arrange a campus visit. Begin by requesting a MDID campus tour; the Admissions page provides a 'Request a tour of MDID' option, and MDID hosts Open House events such as the 2025-2026 MDID Open House (For Gr.6) to share program information. The visit allows families to review the IB programs offered (MYP, DP, CP) and observe campus facilities and the school's emphasis on character development. Prepare a list of questions about curriculum, language of instruction, student support, and campus life to compare with other options.
MDID does not publish scholarship information on its public admissions materials.
MDID does not operate a formal waitlist or pool.
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.)
The Taipei European School (TES) operates on two campuses in Taipei. The Primary Campus is in the Shilin District, with Zhishan MRT station about a five-minute walk away, making the area popular with expatriate families. The Secondary Campus sits in the Yangmingshan mountain area near Yangmingshan National Park and the Chinese Cultural University, about a 25-minute drive from the Primary Campus.
TES is split into two main sites: the Primary Campus (Nursery through upper Primary) and the Secondary Campus (Secondary and High School). The two campuses form a single TES community.
TES is an international, multilingual day school that offers three European language sections—British/English, French, and German—across its campuses. There is no on-site boarding provision listed.
TES provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and a dedicated Additional Learning Needs (ALN) team. Services include EAL, small-group and individual support, and a wave model of inclusion with three levels of support; there are trained Learning Needs teachers, assistants, and related specialists.
TES does not have a single country affiliation. It operates three European curricula (British, French, German) and holds accreditation associated with France and Germany, reflecting its multi-section European focus.
TES does not list a religious affiliation on its site; it operates as a secular international school.
For younger learners in the German Section (KinderGarten), opening hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with aftercare available from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (translation of the German page: 'opening hours are Monday–Friday 7:30–15:00; aftercare 15:00–16:30'). At TES, after-school Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) run from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on weekdays, with some activities continuing beyond that time. The exact daily start/end times vary by campus and section.
TES provides a school bus service available to students; sign-up is handled through the school's online systems (the Student Services area lists Transportation as a core service). Details on routes, pick-up times, and fees are managed by the TES transportation team.
The school does not offer a boarding programme.
The British Primary Section requires uniforms for Year 1 to Year 6. Other sections do not require uniforms but students follow community attire expectations.
A balanced hot lunch is available to students, including options for dietary restrictions. BPS Nursery students must bring a home-packed lunch, and students who do not opt for school lunch may bring their own. A cafeteria operates on both campuses with a meal ordering system for lunches.
Taipei European School is governed by the Taipei European School Foundation. The Board of Directors is the governing body and consists of nine Directors, including five who are current or former TES parents. The Board appoints the Chief Executive Officer and oversees the school's Vision and Strategic Plan; four sections (British Primary, British Secondary and High School, French, and German) operate under common practices, with sub-committees for Governance & Policy, Finance & Admissions, HR & Wellbeing, and Facilities & Development.
Taipei European School (TES) operates three European language sections—English (British Section), French, and German—each offering the choice of its respective national curriculum for students aged 3 to 18. In the British Section, students follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Years 7–9, then the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) with the Careers-related Programme (CP) in the high school; in the first two years of High School, students may undertake the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) or French/German co-qualifications as part of an integrated pathway. The French Section Secondary curriculum aligns with the French national framework and prepares students for the Baccalauréat, with core subjects including French, mathematics, history-geography and civic education, life and earth sciences, physics-chemistry and technology; Latin is optional, and arts, music and physical education are taught by English-speaking teachers from the British Section. German Upper Secondary offers a bilingual IB Diploma Programme (GIB), with several subjects taught in German (e.g., German A: Language and Literature, History, Biology) and the remainder in English; graduates receive a regular bilingual IB diploma recognized in Germany and worldwide. Primary education in the French-English Pathway provides six language pathways, including a French-English pathway running from Moyenne Section to CM2, with two qualified teachers per year group to support bilingual education.
Taipei European School integrates Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as a central part of its curriculum across the British, German, and French sections. In the British Primary Section, SEL is supported through PSHE lessons, circle time, role play, guided meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness, with Year 3 teachers trained through the Mindfulness in Schools Project to deliver the Paws B program. In the British Secondary and High School, core PSHE lessons are about 80 minutes weekly and are planned by the Pastoral Leadership Team and the Head of Positive Education. The German Section includes SEL as a regular component and embeds mindfulness in preschool, while the French Section weaves SEL into citizenship-focused activities, including philosophical inquiries and mindfulness exercises. Overall, TES's Wellbeing and Social Emotional Learning content emphasizes the whole-student development across sections. [Source: Taipei European School Social Emotional Learning page]
TES provides Special Educational Needs (SEN) support through its Learning Needs Team, including highly trained special education teachers, Learning Needs Assistants, and Social-Emotional Counselors, with connections to Occupational, Speech and Language Therapy. The school supports a range of needs, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), Language Processing Disorder, ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Sensory Integration (SI) Dysfunction. The school follows a wave model of inclusion: universal instruction (Wave 1), targeted small-group interventions (Wave 2), and intensive individualized support (Wave 3). TES describes its Learning Needs and ALN handbooks as part of an inclusive approach rather than a dedicated specialist SEN institution. The Learning Needs Team and wave model are described on TES's language and learning support page. [Source: Taipei European School Language and Learning Support; Learning Needs details]
TES provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to help students access the mainstream curriculum and social life. The EAL programme includes intensive sessions and both in-class and withdrawal support, delivered through Early Years Enrichment, Super Intensive EAL, Individual Support, Small Group Support, In-Class Support, and Frontloading. The school also offers in-house resources and handbooks for families to learn more about the EAL programme. EAL support is part of TES's Language and Learning Support offerings, which explicitly outline the types of services and supports available. [Source: Taipei European School Language and Learning Support – English as an Additional Language]
Mental wellbeing at TES is supported through a dedicated Wellbeing program and counselling services. Wellbeing emphasizes holistic development—physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally—across sections, with pastoral care complementing academic support. The school maintains a counselling centre to promote student wellbeing and provide on-site support. SEL is integrated as part of Wellbeing, and there are explicit links to social-emotional learning and health and safety in the Wellbeing section. [Source: Taipei European School Wellbeing page]
TES aligns safeguarding with international and local law, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Taiwan's Protection of Children and Youth Welfare and Right Act, and the Gender Equity Education Act. Safeguarding is described as the responsibility of all members of the school community, with applicants and volunteers required to undergo appropriate child protection screening. The safeguarding section lists policies such as Photography Rules on Campus, Safeguard Training for Volunteers, and policies on Continence and Changing. The page also notes that student wellbeing and safeguarding are core concerns within the Wellbeing and Student Life sections. [Source: Taipei European School Safeguarding page]
1. Admissions Process
- Step 1: Enquire and confirm eligibility. Begin with submitting an online TES application via the OpenApply platform. TES requires that a child hold a foreign passport or recognised territory and have proof of legal residence in Taiwan as part of eligibility. Families should also check the Year Group Placement charts to place their child in the correct year group, noting that TES follows a Northern Hemisphere calendar and may consider special requests on a case-by-case basis. This step sets the framework for which section and year-level your child may be considered for.
- Step 2: Finalise the application. After starting the online application, you'll complete a custom checklist in OpenApply with the required supporting documents. The portal will guide you on what to submit for your child's section and year level, and you can refer to TES's current requirements from the application page. You don't advance to assessments until all required items are uploaded and the checklist is marked complete.
- Step 3: Pay the application fee. The non-refundable application fee is NT$6,000 and must be paid before assessments are scheduled. Payment instructions are provided in the admissions checklist within OpenApply, and TES will begin processing once the fee and documents are received. Note that paying the fee does not guarantee admission, but it enables the assessment process to proceed.
- Step 4: Participate in assessments/tryout/interview. Once the application is finalised and the fee is paid, TES will schedule the appropriate admissions assessments and, where applicable, a tryout or interview depending on the year level, section, and applicant location. The assessments help the school gauge academic readiness and language proficiency in English, French, or German. Results and next steps are shared as part of the holistic review.
- Step 5: Admissions decision and notification. TES conducts a holistic review that considers academic potential, social and behavioural background, and language proficiency. Decisions for Semester 1 (August start) are communicated by March–April, and decisions for Semester 2 (February start) are communicated by December, as seats become available. TES does not operate rolling admissions; priority is given to main-window applicants and certain qualifying factors, with final placement based on best fit with TES's mission and values.
2. Waitlist/Pool
- TES uses a waiting pool rather than a traditional waiting list. The school explains that qualified applicants are placed into a waiting pool for the school year in which they applied, after completing the admissions process and receiving a committee recommendation. The waiting pool is used to determine which applicants might secure a seat should one become available in the admissions rounds. Importantly, the waiting pool is only for Semester 1 starts; it does not carry forward to the next school year if a seat isn't secured. TES emphasizes that they do not operate a first-come, first-served waiting list. Applicants from the main window are reviewed alongside other waiting pool candidates in subsequent rounds.
3. Scholarships
- TES does not offer need-based or merit-based scholarships. The FAQ states that TES recognises the importance of accessibility but currently does not provide these forms of financial aid. For families seeking targeted support tied to language sections, TES notes that there is a French Government AEFE grant pathway, which is separate from TES admissions. The AEFE grant is mean-tested, administered through the Bureau Français de Taipei, and can be paid directly to TES to help cover fees for eligible French nationals abroad; applications are typically in January for the following school year. If an AEFE grant is confirmed, the timing and coordination are handled with the French office rather than TES admissions.
Fees context (for reference)
- TES Fees Policy outlines compulsory fees, including a one-time Registration Fee and ongoing School Fees billed per semester, with a two-semester annual cycle. The policy also covers deposits for reenrolment, late entry, and refund terms, as well as English/French/German Learning Support fees where applicable. The policy documents confirm that School Fees are adjusted annually and published for the following year, usually between February and April, and that fees are payable to the Taipei European School Foundation. While the policy itself does not publish the exact per-grade amounts in the page, it sets the framework TES uses to calculate and bill fees.
1) TES scholarships overview
- Taipei European School currently does not offer need-based or merit-based financial aid or scholarships, per the FAQ. This means admissions decisions and enrollment are not tied to such awards. If your family is seeking financial support, TES directs you to its Fees Policy for the broader fee framework and to the AEFE route (for French nationals) as described below.
2) AEFE grant pathway for French Section
- For families in the French Section, there is a French Government AEFE Grant option. The AEFE grant is mean-tested and awarded to eligible French nationals abroad. The application is coordinated through the Bureau Français de Taipei, with the possibility of the grant being paid directly to TES to support school fees. Applicants should monitor the Bureau Français de Taipei site for deadlines (January for the following school year, with an autumn session also possible) and coordinate with the TES Admissions/Finance process if the grant is confirmed.
1) Admissions Process
- Admissions Process (overview): TES presents a structured admissions journey, with a main window for the coming school year and non-rolling decisions. The main admissions window for 2026-2027 is from September 23, 2025 to February 8, 2026; applications submitted after the window are still considered, but only after main-window applicants. The school emphasizes a holistic review and not rolling decisions, with communications of offers typically aligned to seat availability. The overall process includes Apply, Finalise Application, Application Fee, Assessments/Tryout/Interview, and Admissions Decision, and uses an Admissions Committee to determine fit and readiness.
- Waiting pool details: TES also explains a Waiting Pool (not a Waiting List) for Semester 1 starts. A candidate is placed in the Waiting Pool only after completing the admissions process and a committee review; candidates in the pool are considered alongside other applicants in subsequent rounds if seats become available. The Waiting Pool does not carry forward to the next school year if a seat isn't secured; and there is no first-come, first-served mechanism. This policy is intended to identify the best fit should a seat become available.
- Official clarification on timelines and processes are available in the TES FAQ and the How to Apply/Admissions pages, which confirm that waiting pools exist for Semester 1 and that waiting pool candidates are reviewed in ongoing rounds rather than a simple live waitlist.
- If you want to verify current exact dates or if your situation is time-sensitive, I can pull the latest updates from TES pages. All cited details reflect TES pages as of January 2026.
