Compare American Curriculum International Schools in Taichung, Taiwan

The Washington International School in Taichung is located at No. 26, Buzaikeng Road, Taiping District, Taichung City 411012, Taiwan. The hillside campus is near a bus stop and about a 20-minute commute from downtown Taichung. The address is publicly listed on the school's materials.

WIST offers Grades 7-12, with both junior high and senior high. The curriculum is American-styled, with English as the primary language of instruction and some Chinese instruction in junior high (Chinese literature, math, and science).

Private, coeducational. Boarding facilities are available on campus for eligible students.

WIST maintains an Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Policy that emphasizes an inclusive learning environment and provides for support of students regardless of protected characteristics, including disability. The policy prohibits discrimination and outlines mechanisms to assist students facing protected characteristics.

The school is located in Taiwan and operates within Taiwan; it follows an American-style curriculum and IB Diploma Programme but is not affiliated with a specific country as its governing affiliation.

There is no religious affiliation noted in the public materials.

The school runs on a two-semester academic schedule, as shown by the Semester Calendar. Daily start/end times are not published on the public pages.

The campus operates a school bus service; the Transportation office handles arrangements (Ext. 141).

Lunch is provided on site. Menu details and dietary accommodations are not published on the school pages.

Washington International School in Taichung (WIST) operates as the overseas division of Washington High School (WHS). The Overseas Preparatory Studies Program began in 2004 and was renamed Washington International School in Taichung (WIST) in 2021. WIST is an IB World School offering the Diploma Programme and is a candidate for accreditation with WASC, indicating governance within the WHS network.

Washington International School Taichung (WIST) offers Grades 7–12 with an American-styled curriculum; English is the language of instruction for all classes, with Junior High Chinese Literature, Math and science taught in Chinese. The curriculum is built on the U.S. Common Core State Standards, with teachers writing semester plans aligned to these standards. The high school program prepares students for the College Board SAT and AP exams; mock TOEFL testing is available for students in grades 9–10, and grades 11–12 typically take SAT or ACT along with TOEFL or IELTS, with many taking AP and subject-specific SAT exams. In March 2025, WIST was authorized as an IB World School, enabling the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to be offered alongside its English/Chinese language offerings. Beyond academics, WIST offers extensive extracurriculars, including Student Council, team sports and clubs, debate, culture clubs, community service, and a Model United Nations program.

WIST supports social and emotional learning through a broad range of extracurricular activities—Student Council, teams, clubs, The Debate Team, Culture Clubs, Community Service, and the Student Newspaper/MUN—designed to nurture students' interests and talents, with involvement contributing to positive growth spiritually, emotionally, and academically.

WIST has an Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Statement committing to an inclusive, equitable, and diverse learning community and to removing barriers for students disadvantaged by gender, race, disability, or other protected characteristics, and it notes adherence to gender equity education; the school does not publish a list of specific SEN provisions or designate itself as a specialist SEN institution.

English is the common language of instruction for most classes, with exceptions in some junior high subjects (Chinese Literature, Math and science); there is no publicly disclosed information about dedicated EAL programs or staff.

Mental wellbeing is supported through emotional support and counseling as part of the safety framework; WIST provides emotional support and counseling and includes a campus bullying prevention and response policy with a designated team and counseling for victims.

Safeguarding is addressed via policies on bullying prevention and response, internet and digital safety, and safety, risk, and emergency procedures, including a dedicated Response Team for Prevention of School Bullying, explicit reporting procedures, and systematic emergency and safety measures.

Step 1: Submit an application form. Applicants are encouraged to visit on Open Days or arrange a personal visit, and a booking in advance is required. After you submit the application form, an admissions officer will guide you through the rest of the admissions process and answer any questions you have. The school targets applicants in Grades 7–11 (G7–G11). The language of instruction is primarily English, with some junior high subjects taught in Chinese; this may be relevant for families planning bilingual or language-specific considerations.

Step 2: Take the Placement Test. Applicants take an English placement assessment (covering speaking, reading, listening and writing) and a Math assessment. The results from these tests are used to determine the appropriate placement in the study program.

Step 3: Offer a Placement. An official letter notifies the family of the placement decision. If you accept the offer, you will be asked to pay a selection of fees (including a deposit) and provide certain documents to advance the application. This step confirms the placement and starts the enrollment process.

Scholarships: Public materials indicate the existence of merit scholarships within WIST's overseas program. An Our Story post from April 11, 2023 notes that the overseas program awarded scholarships totaling TWD 80,000,000 (80 million New Taiwan Dollars) to students. The Alumni section for the Class of 2023 references Merit Scholarships totaling TWD 68,000,000 (68 million NT) and presents Merit Scholarships as a defined category.

Waitlist/Pool: The Admission Statement states that when the school is at full capacity, new applicants may be placed on a waiting list.

Ivy Collegiate Academy is located in Taichung City, Taiwan, in the Tanzi District. The campus address is 320 Lane 165, Section 1, Tan-Hsing Rd., Tan-Tzu Dist., Taichung City 427, Taiwan. The school serves students in grades 7–12.

ICA serves grades 7–12, with a middle school (7th–9th) and an upper school (10th–12th).

ICA is a private, coeducational international school offering both day and boarding options. Boarding facilities are available on campus with dormitories and resident advisors.

ICA provides an English Language Learner (ELL) program to support non-native English speakers; intensive English instruction with assisted language classes is available in middle and high school. After-school tutoring is available, including evening peer tutoring organized by student government.

ICA has no formal country affiliation and operates an American-style curricula with AP courses.

ICA has no religious affiliation publicly listed in its materials.

On Monday to Friday, instructional time runs from 8:00 to 16:15 with eight instructional periods and a lunch break from 12:00 to 12:35; an activity block runs 16:30–17:45, followed by dinner (18:00–18:30) and a study hall (19:00–21:00). Saturdays include activities from 13:30–16:30; evenings and dorm checks continue with typical sign-in by 22:00. Sunday schedules vary, with additional activities or rest time.

ICA offers both boarding and day programs for students in grades 7–12. Boarding facilities include a dormitory with 47 dormitory rooms and 20 resident-advisor rooms, plus a student lounge and two outdoor meeting areas on campus. The residential life program is supported by 9 resident advisors who supervise the boarding houses.

Uniforms are required every school day. On regular days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) the uniform is a navy or gray ICA polo with tan shorts or pants; on PE days (Tuesday and Thursday) students wear an ICA T‑shirt with navy shorts or pants. Formal uniform days require a blazer, white collared shirt, tie, and black dress pants or a skirt; weather adjustments allow long pants under shorts below 17°C and extra layers under 10°C, and there is an out‑of‑uniform policy for special events.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on campus according to a daily schedule: Breakfast 7:30–7:55; Lunch 12:00–12:35; Dinner 6:00–6:30.

ICA uses a house system with eight houses: Adams, Archimedes, Bee, Campbell, Knights, Lerna, Lou, Sparrow. House competitions are part of the house life.

The Ivy Collegiate Academy follows an American college‑preparatory curriculum with extensive Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and offers an AP Capstone Diploma for eligible students. ICA serves grades 7–12, organized into Middle School (7–9) and Upper School (10–12), with a defined AP pathway across disciplines. In Middle School, core classes include English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and History/Geography, with electives such as Chinese and foreign languages, mental math, art, computer literacy, music, and physical education. In Upper School, core classes are English Literature/Language Arts, Mathematics (choice), Science (choice), and American Studies, with a broad AP slate including AP Literature, AP Language Arts, AP Seminar, AP Research, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1/2/C, AP Environmental Science, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Statistics, AP Pre‑calculus, and additional APs such as AP Computer Science A, AP European History, AP US History, AP Government and Politics, AP World History, AP Human Geography, AP Psychology, AP Chinese/Japanese, AP Art Studio, and AP Music Theory. The curriculum is complemented by Signature Programs (Interactive Sciences, Academic Writing, Leadership), participation in National Honor Society and TEDx@ICA, a broad Elective Courses catalog, and a Summer Program, reflecting ICA's full academic scope.

ICA provides personalized student support through a faculty advisor program. Students select a faculty advisor at the start of the school year, and advisors meet with their advisees daily during lunch and once per term off-campus to discuss academic, social, and personal needs. Advisors coordinate with teachers and parents to support academic planning, university admissions, and social concerns, fostering a collaborative approach to student success. ICA's vision emphasizes promoting personal well-being and inclusive, collaborative communities, and its school-wide learning outcomes explicitly include social awareness and emotional development as core dimensions of growth.

ICA describes inclusion and wellbeing as a core commitment, with adjustments made for students with medical, emotional, or learning needs that affect participation. The school offers an English Language Learner (ELL) program described as essential to improving English proficiency, including intensive instruction for novice speakers. The Student Handbook documents a formal process for monitoring student progress and a dedicated English Language Learner Program to respond to needs. Outside counseling and support are referenced within the safeguarding framework as part of the student support ecosystem. ICA presents itself as a private coeducational college‑prep boarding/day school rather than a specialist SEN institution, and explicit designation as a dedicated SEN center is not stated in public materials.

ICA provides an English Language Learner (ELL) program to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills and to support effective participation in an English-based curriculum. In Middle and High School, students may access intensive English instruction with assisted language classes, available individually or in groups. English is the primary language of instruction at ICA, and the school aims to promote effective English language use across classroom and everyday settings. The ELL program is explicitly listed in the Student Handbook under English Language Learner Program. Students also receive broader academic and counseling support to help integrate into an English‑medium environment.

ICA's vision and mission explicitly prioritize personal, physical, and emotional well-being as central to student development. The school emphasizes wellbeing within its advising framework and its ESLOs, which include social awareness and emotional development as part of holistic growth. The Inclusion and Wellbeing policy states that adjustments will be made for students with medical, emotional, or learning needs to enable safe and equitable participation. The safeguarding framework provides access to mental health resources, counseling services, and outside counseling and support as needed. The Student Health Policy prioritizes student health and well-being, with clear procedures for health concerns, doctor visits, and parental notification.

ICA operates a Child Protection Policy that places safeguarding at the core of its culture, including incident reporting flows, a comprehensive code of conduct, and procedures for abuse and neglect. The policy covers social‑emotional health, advisory systems, social‑emotional learning, and access to outside counseling and support. It outlines mandatory reporting to local authorities under Taiwan law and anti-bullying measures, as well as privacy, data protection, and confidentiality in counseling and reporting. A Child Protection Committee includes roles such as social‑emotional coordinators and dormitory staff to coordinate safeguarding across the school. The policy also provides clear guidelines for reporting, disciplinary actions, and student grievances to ensure a safe learning environment.

1. Application Form. The student and at least one parent or guardian must complete the application form and return it to the Admissions Office. The school provides an online Apply Now option to initiate the submission. This step establishes the formal request for consideration in the admissions process.

2. Recommendation. The admissions packet includes two recommendation forms that should be given to a Math teacher and an English teacher. The referees are required to send their recommendations directly to the Admissions Office. Recommendations support the evaluation of the applicant's academic ability and character.

3. Transcript. A release of records form is included for the current school's registrar or guidance official to mail the transcript to Ivy Collegiate Academy. The transcript should cover past and current courses, grades, and any standardized aptitude and/or achievement test scores. This information helps the school assess academic preparation and progression.

4. Campus Visit. A campus visit and personal interview are required as part of the evaluation. If a campus visit is not feasible, an interview near the applicant's location will be arranged. Interviews may be scheduled Monday through Saturday, and you should contact the Admissions Office to set an appointment.

5. Assessment. Additional testing may be necessary to fully assess the applicant's skill levels. This testing could occur at the time of the on-campus interview. The assessment may include standardized tests or teacher-designated materials to supplement the interview.

6. Application Fee. Include a non-refundable application fee of USD 25.00 for the processing of the application. The Admissions Office can be contacted with questions at the provided local telephone numbers.

Scholarships have historical documentation under an older page describing the Headmaster's Scholarship Program for the 2016/2017 school year. Awards ranged from $500 to $6,000 USD per scholarship. Selection was based on the student's academic record, two teacher recommendations, leadership and character, and potential for future success. A selection committee consisting of the Headmaster and four ICA teachers reviewed applications and determined recipients. For reference, contact details for the Headmaster were provided on that page. This information reflects information published in 2016 and does not indicate a current, up-to-date scholarship program.

Morrison Academy Taichung is in Beitun District, Taichung, Taiwan. The campus runs on a large site of about 22.5 acres and is the largest Morrison campus. The Taichung location hosts a K-12 program with a boarding option for high school students. The address is 216 Si Ping Road, Beitun District, Taichung 40679.

Morrison Academy Taichung offers kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12). The high school serves grades 9–12 and offers Advanced Placement courses. The school operates on a roughly 180‑day academic year.

The school is co-educational and offers both day attendance and boarding for high school students from outside Taichung. Boarding facilities are available at the Taichung campus for eligible high school students.

A Learning Difficulties (LD) support program is available, operating under an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). The program provides targeted skills development and can incur an extra fee.

Morrison Academy is recognized by Taiwan as an international school and is restricted to students who hold foreign passports.

The school is a Christian international school with Bible study and Biblically-integrated curricula as a core component.

The school year consists of about 180 instructional days. Taichung typically runs 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, with Friday ending at 3:15 p.m. Music classes begin at 7:50 a.m. before the day starts, and lunch periods last about 35–40 minutes. The high school schedule features 80‑minute periods on alternating days (odd periods on Mon/Wed, even periods on Tue/Thu).

There is no Morrison-provided bus service for the Taichung campus. Bus service is available at Morrison campuses in Taipei and Kaohsiung, but not Taichung.

Boarding is provided at Morrison Academy Taichung. The dormitory serves high school students (typically grades 9–12) with separate wings for boys and girls, housing about 6–10 students in each wing. Each dorm unit is led by a married couple who live on site as boarding home parents, with a shared living area for residents. The program aims to provide a home-like, Christ-centered environment with structured daily life and spiritual and emotional development; admission to the dorms is separate from routine high school admissions and depends on space availability.

Uniforms are not required. Morrison Academy Taichung enforces a dress code described in the Student Handbooks, and students wear their own clothes that meet guidelines.

On-site cafeteria provides lunch with two daily entrees—one Western and one Asian—and includes fresh fruit and vegetables.

Morrison Academy is a nonprofit corporation known as Morrison Christian Association, registered in New Jersey and in Taiwan. The Taichung campus is one of three Morrison campuses in Taiwan, and Morrison is jointly accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Morrison Academy Taichung delivers a K–12 Christian international program taught in English, with high-school AP courses and online options to augment the on-campus curriculum. In Middle School (Grades 6–8), the school follows a United States–based framework with core subjects in Social Studies, Language Arts, Mathematics, and Bible; Grade 6 covers World History from Creation through the 1500s, Grade 7 focuses on World Geography, and Grade 8 covers U.S. History. Bible study is integrated across middle school, with Grade 6 New Testament Survey, Grade 7 Wisdom from Proverbs, and Grade 8 Old Testament Survey. In High School (Grades 9–12), about eight AP courses are offered on campus (with additional online courses available), alongside a broad schedule of electives and extracurriculars; more than 95% of graduates pursue higher education, typically at universities in the United States and Canada. Course sequencing for college admission aligns with U.S. college-preparatory expectations (English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language, and Visual/Performing Arts), and the program supports experiential learning through trips and service opportunities.

Morrison Academy Taichung's Guidance/Counseling Center provides a Bible-based guidance program available to all students, teachers, staff, and parents, aimed at helping students mature spiritually, emotionally, academically, and socially. The program seeks to identify, address, and meet personal and academic needs through an inviting office culture, a guidance curriculum, responsive services, web-based resources, group workshops, and individual student planning. Personal counseling sessions and various activities are offered to support well-being. The program is led by a team of trained school counselors and school chaplains, with support from teachers and peer student counselors. Guidance classes are conducted for each grade level to support ongoing personal and social development.

Morrison Academy Taichung publicly emphasizes equality, inclusion, and access to high-level, biblically integrated education for all students regardless of race, language proficiency, socioeconomic status, gender, disabilities, religion, and/or other identities. The school does not publish a dedicated on-site specialist SEN unit; support for personal and academic needs is delivered through counseling services and the broader school support framework. For certain cases, enrollment in correspondence courses with administrative approval may be used to address specific needs. The admissions and support policies reflect an inclusive philosophy rather than a stand-alone SEN facility.

Morrison Academy Taichung offers English Language Learner (ELL) courses, including ELL 9, ELL 10, and ELL 11, to support students needing intensive English language instruction alongside their regular coursework. These courses are taken concurrently with regular English classes and require prior administrative approval; additional fees apply. ELL courses focus on improving fluency, listening, reading, and writing through modified materials as needed. An ELL Support page describes the program as increasing language proficiency for learners. Students exit ELL when they meet exit criteria as determined by the program.

Mental wellbeing is addressed through Morrison Academy Taichung's Guidance/Counseling Center, which provides proactive and preventive support aimed at helping students grow emotionally and socially as part of a holistic development plan. The center operates with trained school counselors and chaplains who deliver personal counseling, guidance classes, and related programs to support emotional health. Counseling appointments are available for elementary, middle, and high school students during the school day, with additional drop-in accessibility for high school students. The program emphasizes identifying personal and academic needs and offering resources, counseling, and activities to support well-being.

Morrison Academy is committed to safeguarding and child protection, striving to cultivate an atmosphere where all students are treated with respect and feel safe and protected. Employees and volunteers are responsible for maintaining clearly established safeguards in all interactions with children. Morrison Academy is a member of the Child Safety and Protection Network (CSPN), reflecting its participation in a broad network focused on safeguarding practices.

1. Eligibility and initial requirements. To enroll at Morrison Academy Taichung, the student must hold a valid foreign passport (not a ROC passport) and meet policies on English proficiency and special needs. Non-English-speaking applicants will be considered under the English Language Learner (ELL) framework if applicable. Hong Kong/Macau passport holders have specific regulatory considerations; parents should verify how these rules apply to their situation. All applicants are evaluated with these baseline criteria in mind.

2. Online application submission window and initial document gathering. Applications may be submitted any time after November 1 for the following school year, but it is best to have the file ready by the end of March. In addition to the online form, you must provide passport copies for the child and parents (where applicable) and two years of school records translated into English. The admissions system will tell you what additional documents are needed, and the application file becomes active only after all required items are submitted.

3. Admissions coordinator contact and campus visit. After submission, the campus-based admissions coordinator will reach out via email. If the student meets the admissions requirements, the coordinator will guide you through the next steps and can arrange a visit to the Taichung campus if desired. Meetings with the principal are typically scheduled after the admissions interview, and you won't meet the child's teacher until admission is confirmed.

4. Testing and interviews. Testing and interviews occur only when there is an opening at a given grade level. English proficiency testing is required for students coming from non-English-speaking schools or those homeschooled, and may be waived for students succeeding in all-English environments. Every applicant and family is interviewed by a member of the Admissions Committee, and virtual interviews can be arranged for applicants outside Taiwan.

5. Admission decision timeline. The school informs applicants of the decision within three working days of the interview. If the applicant is offered admission, the next steps will be outlined by the Admissions Coordinator and the family.

6. Enrollment and tuition/fee payment timelines. For the spring admissions cycle, there is a deadline around mid-May to pay tuition and fees for returning students; new admissions will follow the same general timeline. The school uses a common admission workflow across campuses, and the exact payment dates are provided by the campus during the acceptance process.

Scholarships and financial aid are available through Morrison Academy's funding programs. The Robert Morrison Scholarship Fund assists families in Taiwan who are committed to Christ's Great Commission and whose children could not otherwise attend Morrison Academy; scholarships are funded entirely by designated gifts and are awarded based on the availability of funds. This program is designed to help eligible families access Morrison's programs when financial constraints would otherwise prevent attendance.

The school does not operate a traditional waiting list (first-come, first-served).

HWIS is on Hongwen Street in the Tanzi District of Taichung City, Taiwan.

Grades 7 through 12.

HWIS is an international school offering multiple curriculum pathways for secondary students.

Students can choose from IB Diploma, 36 AP courses, IGCSE, and A-Level pathways. The school emphasises personalised learning, critical thinking, and global perspectives.

The school prepares students for admission to top-tier universities worldwide through multiple academic pathways.

1. Contact admissions at +886 (4) 2534 0011.
2. Multiple pathways available for secondary students.