Compare International Schools in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

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.

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.

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).

Private, co-educational international school. The school operates as a private, fee-paying institution and is co-educational.

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).

There is no formal country affiliation; KAS is described as a fully accredited international school.

There is no religious affiliation stated by the school.

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.)

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.

Lunch is offered; families may elect to order lunch for a fee. Lunch menus include Set A, Set B, and Vegetarian options, with sides.

Middle School uses BIG Time with house competitions.

The school is governed by a Board of Directors. The board meets monthly on campus. An AGM is held each Spring and is open to the KAS community. Minutes for open board meetings and AGMs are published. Governance documents include the KAS Charter and Board Policy Manual.

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.

Kaohsiung American School supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through a dedicated team of four full-time counselors who work to foster trusting relationships and support students, teachers, and parents in social-emotional growth, behavior management, and personal relationships. SEL is integrated into classrooms through lessons, curriculum development, wellness programs, and 1:1 and small-group counseling. The School's Student Support Team includes teachers, specialists, and administrators who collaborate in a team-based approach to differentiation, ensuring all students have access to the curriculum. Counselors operate across elementary, middle, and high school levels, providing guidance and modeling healthy social-emotional skills. The program emphasizes mental wellbeing and proactive wellness initiatives as part of daily school life.

Kaohsiung American School offers inclusive education with a Student Support Team comprising teachers, specialists, and administrators who support access and inclusion through collaboration and differentiation. Learning Support is provided by a team of learning support teachers and assistants offering in-class push-in support, small-group or 1:1 instruction, and modified curricula, with Elementary having dedicated Learning Support Coordinators (e.g., Sil Lee). The EAL program supports language development and places students into an appropriate class with the least restrictive environment. For more intensive needs, the School contracts external specialists, including Educational Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Psychiatrists, Speech Therapists, and Occupational Therapists. The school describes its approach as inclusive education focused on meeting students where they are, rather than presenting itself as a specialist SEN institution.

The EAL program is designed to provide a learning environment that enables students to gain the language skills needed to transition into main subject classes, focusing on reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students are placed into an appropriate class with the least restrictive environment. The EAL Handbook outlines program details and policies, and Elementary staffing includes dedicated EAL instructors to support younger learners.

Mental wellbeing is supported through SEL and wellness initiatives led by a dedicated team of four full-time counselors who serve as role models and provide 1:1 and small-group counseling. Counselors support students, teachers, and parents in social-emotional growth, behavior management, and personal relationships, with SEL embedded in classroom instruction and curriculum. The counseling team operates across elementary, middle, and high school levels, aligning with the school's SEL framework and wellness programming.

Kaohsiung American School safeguards students by endorsing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and adhering to Taiwan's Protection of Children and Youth Welfare and Rights Act, in collaboration with Taiwan's Bureau of Education and Ministry of Social Welfare. The Child Protection and Safeguarding Handbook outlines staff background checks, training to recognize signs of abuse and neglect, and a team-based safeguarding response process. Age-appropriate safeguarding lessons are embedded in the PreK–12 curriculum, and a Code of Conduct for all adults and visitor guidelines support safeguarding efforts.

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.

KAS does not publish or advertise any scholarships on its admissions pages.

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.