The Taipei school landscape
The flagship is Taipei American School (TAS), founded in 1949 and the heritage US-curriculum school for diplomatic, tech and corporate families. Taipei European School (TES) is the most unique in Asia: a single school with separate British, French, German, Spanish and Belgian primary sections, all leading into a shared IB DP. Morrison Academy serves the Christian missionary community. Dominican International School, Pacific American School, and Kang Chiao International School round out the international tier.
Taiwan's TAS and TES require child to hold a foreign passport. Other "international" schools are bilingual experimental institutions that admit Taiwanese and foreign students. The semiconductor sector boom (TSMC, MediaTek) has driven recent expat growth.
TES European Section: which to choose?
TES's unique multi-section primary structure means choosing British, French, German, Spanish or Belgian impacts language, curriculum and IB DP language A. Our guide explains the trade-offs.
Most popular neighbourhoods for families
Tianmu is the heart of expat family Taipei, home to TAS and TES. Yangmingshan appeals to families wanting mountain-village living near Taipei American. Daan is central Taipei with multiple bilingual schools. Neihu (Tech Park) hosts tech-corridor families near Pacific American. Hsinchu, an hour south, hosts TSMC families with Pacific American Hsinchu nearby.
