Taiwan, Taichung
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
Washington International School Taichung (WIST) offers broad academic enrichment through a range of clubs and competitions, including Student Council, Teams Sports and Clubs, the Debate Team, Culture Clubs, Community Service, and the Student Newspaper MUN. The STEAM Fair showcases student-led STEM projects, such as robotics, sustainable city models, Arduino designs, and cross-disciplinary work, with external engagement and hands-on problem solving. The school supports robotics through a WIST VEX Team that competes in regional and national events, including the 2023 VEX V5 Taiwan Open and the 2025 VEX IQ Mix & Match, where the team placed second in the Team Challenge. The program also highlights participation in competitions like the KidWind wind-energy contest, expanding opportunities for applied science and engineering exploration.
Arts at WIST include singing and English drama competitions, reflecting a strong performing-arts emphasis. The Washington Cup Singing Competition (2023) and the English Drama Contest (2023) illustrate formal arts events, complemented by regular theatrical performances and school productions. The school also hosts field experiences like a Taichung National Theater visit as part of VP Arts, enriching students' understanding of theatre spaces, etiquette, and contemporary performance. Past events such as WIST Got Talent (2022) further demonstrate the school's ongoing commitment to creative expression and performance.
Cultural and language activities are supported by Culture Clubs as part of the campus-life program, providing opportunities to explore global perspectives. WIST also participates in international exchanges, such as the 2025 UBC (University of British Columbia) international exchange visit, which exposes students to a leading research university and cross-cultural engagement. The school emphasizes cross-cultural experiences and language development through its international programs and diverse campus life.
Social and hobby activities are fostered through a vibrant club culture and annual club events, including broad student-interest clubs and community-building activities. The WIST Club Fair and ongoing club collections demonstrate opportunities across sports, arts, journalism, games, and environment topics. Social-service clubs, such as Caring for Life Society, organize charitable activities like desk-calendar fundraisers to support animal welfare and other causes. These programs provide peer-to-peer collaboration and informal venues for student socializing and skill-building.
Community service is a structured part of WIST's campus life, with clubs that organize charity initiatives and fundraising activities. Caring for Life Society ran a 2024 desk-calendar charity sale to support animal welfare organizations, illustrating student-led philanthropy and local impact. The integration of service projects with clubs and school events demonstrates a sustained commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.
Leadership and professional development are supported through formal college counseling, which provides a timetable from grade 7 to grade 12 and helps students gain admissions to hundreds of institutions worldwide; the program includes college presentations and ongoing guidance to prepare for university pathways. Student leadership is also fostered via Student Council participation and other clubs that emphasize teamwork, initiative, and project ownership. The combination of leadership opportunities and structured college planning supports students' long-term goals and professional skills.
Wellbeing and physical lifestyle are cultivated through school athletics, including basketball and Frisbee teams that compete in local and international events, with documented achievements such as a basketball team championship and Frisbee tournament participation. The school also promotes active, hands-on learning through outdoor arts experiences and field trips to cultural venues like the Taichung National Theater, supporting physical fitness, creativity, and cultural appreciation. These activities complement academic life by encouraging teamwork, resilience, and balanced development.
Washington International School in Taichung (WIST) offers a Grades 7–12 American-styled curriculum with English as the main language of instruction. In Junior High, Chinese Literature, Math and Science are taught in Chinese, while other subjects follow U.S. Common Core standards. The high school program supports SAT and AP exams, and mock TOEFL testing is provided for Grade 9 and 10 students; many Grade 11–12 students take SAT or ACT alongside TOEFL or IELTS, and AP courses are commonly pursued. WIST provides a broad range of extracurriculars, including Student Council, team sports and clubs, a Debate Team, Culture Clubs, Community Service, and the Student Newspaper MUN. In 2025, WIST became an IB World School, offering the Diploma Programme in addition to AP pathways, enabling an AP/IB dual-track approach. The campus is located at No. 26 Buzaikeng Road, Taiping District, Taichung City, Taiwan. Admissions guide students from Grade 7 to Grade 11, supported by a college counseling program that prepares them for universities worldwide.