How many American schools in Taipei
Taipei has six to eight schools that deliver a US-accredited American curriculum, ranging from the largest international school in the city through to smaller faith-based and community settings. The American curriculum cohort is the largest single international school grouping in Taipei, drawing on the deep base of US semiconductor industry transferees tied to TSMC's expansion and the wider US corporate community, plus US diplomatic and military-linked families. The anchor is Taipei American School on Zhongshan North Road in Tianmu, with around 2,300 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, the largest international school in Taiwan.
Around TAS sit a cluster of smaller US-accredited settings. Dominican International School in Zhongshan, founded in 1957 by Dominican Sisters, runs a US Common Core-aligned curriculum from Pre-K to Grade 12 with WASC accreditation. Bethany Christian School in Tianmu blends American and British curriculum elements within a faith-based framework. Taipei Adventist American School in Zhongshan offers a US accredited K to 12 American curriculum within the Seventh-day Adventist global school network. Several Morrison Christian Academy affiliated campuses operate in northern Taiwan and serve as a sister option for some Taipei families through boarding or relocation to Taichung.
The market shape is unusual: one very large anchor with a multi-school waiting list, surrounded by smaller settings that absorb families who cannot land a TAS place or who prefer a smaller community setting. For the wider Taipei international school market see our Taipei city hub and the global American curriculum hub.
Fees and the TAS premium
American curriculum fees in Taipei span a wider range than the European or IB cohort. Tuition at Taipei American School in 2026 runs from TWD 920,000 a year in Kindergarten to TWD 1,100,000 in the high school grades. In US dollar terms, that is roughly USD 29,000 to USD 35,000 per year. Capital fees of around TWD 200,000 sit on entry at TAS, transport from TWD 40,000 to TWD 65,000 a year depending on home district, lunch around TWD 30,000, and AP examination fees of TWD 4,500 per exam in Grades 11 and 12.
The smaller American-accredited settings run materially below TAS. Dominican International School tuition in 2026 starts around TWD 480,000 a year in lower elementary and reaches TWD 720,000 in high school. Bethany sits in a similar range. The trade-off is class size, AP breadth and the strength of the US university counselling apparatus, which at TAS is one of the deepest in Asia and a major reason for the premium. For the full fee picture see our Taipei fees guide, and run the broader relocation budget through the cost calculator.
TAS, or a smaller American-accredited setting?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three Taipei American curriculum options based on your child's age, your budget and your home district.
Illustrative example schools
The four schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each is US-accredited with WASC or a comparable regional accreditor.
Taipei American School on Zhongshan North Road Section 6 in Tianmu, Shilin District, is the anchor American curriculum provider in Taipei. Around 2,300 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, a deep AP offer of more than 20 subjects, a Capstone-influenced research strand and one of the most resourced college counselling teams in Asia. Strong placement records into US Ivy League, US T20 universities and selective UK universities. Settled US corporate, US semiconductor industry and US diplomatic family base.
Dominican International School in Zhongshan is a Catholic K to 12 setting founded in 1957, with a US Common Core-aligned curriculum and a long-standing settled mixed-nationality family base. Smaller than TAS, with a stronger pastoral feel and a closer city centre location. WASC accredited with steady placements into US universities and a meaningful flow into Catholic universities in the US.
Bethany Christian School in Tianmu offers a US-accredited K to 12 curriculum within a Christian framework, with both American and British-influenced curriculum elements. Smaller class sizes than TAS, a closer-knit community feel and a focus on character formation alongside the academic programme.
Taipei Adventist American School in Zhongshan delivers a US K to 12 American curriculum within the Seventh-day Adventist global school network. Smaller cohort, with a settled Adventist family base and a steady flow of US-tied families who choose it for its smaller size and Friday early dismissal pattern.
Where American families live
American families in Taipei cluster heavily in Tianmu, where TAS sits on Zhongshan North Road and where the deepest English-speaking expatriate community lives. Tianmu apartment stock west of Zhongshan North Road runs TWD 80,000 to TWD 140,000 a month for a three-bedroom unit, with larger villas on the Yangmingshan slope considerably higher. The TAS coach network reaches into Da'an, Xinyi, Neihu and across the Tamsui River into Linkou and Banqiao in New Taipei, but a meaningful share of the TAS family base lives within walking distance of campus.
Inside Taipei City, Da'an and Xinyi host a smaller US family base, mostly TSMC and US tech families who prioritise central Taipei amenities over school proximity. Three-bedroom apartments in Da'an run TWD 90,000 to TWD 160,000 a month, with Xinyi at TWD 95,000 to TWD 170,000. Neihu, in the eastern technology corridor, draws US tech families with a shorter commute to the Neihu Technology Park; rental stock here is newer and runs TWD 70,000 to TWD 120,000 a month for a three-bedroom unit. For the full residential picture see our Taipei neighbourhood guide and the Taipei guide for Western families.
Admissions, AP and the US university route
Taipei American School opens its main August intake in early November, with assessment days through January and February and offers issued from March. The Lower School assessment for Kindergarten and Grade 1 is play-based; from Grade 2 upwards the assessment includes literacy, numeracy and a brief interview. Mid-year arrivals can find seats below Grade 9, but the Upper School grades, particularly Grade 10 and Grade 11, are tight. Demand from semiconductor industry transferees has tightened the calendar materially since 2023; register as soon as a Taipei move is confirmed.
The American high school diploma is paired with Advanced Placement subjects in the upper years, with TAS running more than 20 AP courses across sciences, humanities, languages and the arts. SAT and ACT testing for US university admissions is the standard pairing. TAS graduates head primarily to US universities, with strong placements into US Ivy League, US T20 universities and US national liberal arts colleges, plus a meaningful flow to selective UK universities through UCAS. Admission across all Foreign School framework settings is restricted to foreign passport holders, dual nationals and qualifying Taiwanese returnees. Compare with our Taipei IB hub and Taipei British curriculum hub for curriculum-specific entry guidance.
Frequently asked questions
How many American curriculum schools are there in Taipei?
Taipei has six to eight schools that deliver a US-accredited American curriculum, ranging from the largest international school in the city, Taipei American School, through smaller faith-based and community settings. The American curriculum cohort is the largest single international school grouping in Taipei, anchored by US corporate, US semiconductor industry and US diplomatic families.
What is the main qualification at American schools in Taipei?
The US high school diploma is the standard credential, typically combined with Advanced Placement subjects in the upper years. Taipei American School runs a particularly deep AP offer with more than 20 AP courses across sciences, humanities, languages and the arts. Most graduates pair the diploma with SAT or ACT scores for US university admissions.
How much do American schools in Taipei cost?
Annual fees at American curriculum schools in Taipei range from about TWD 720,000 a year at the smaller community-based settings to roughly TWD 1,100,000 at Taipei American School in the upper grades. In US dollar terms that is roughly USD 23,000 to USD 35,000 per year, before capital fees, transport, lunch and AP examination charges.
Can Taiwanese nationals attend American schools in Taipei?
Taipei American School and other schools licensed under the Ministry of Education Foreign School framework admit only foreign passport holders, dual nationals who hold a foreign passport, and Taiwanese returnees who meet qualifying overseas-study criteria. Dominican International School and Bethany are similarly restricted. Local private bilingual schools admit Taiwanese nationals freely under different licensing.
When should I apply for a Taipei American school place?
Taipei American School opens its main August intake in early November, with assessment days through January and February and offers issued from March. Demand for high school grade entries from semiconductor industry transferees has tightened the calendar, so register as soon as a Taipei move is confirmed. The smaller community-based American settings run more continuous admissions for mid-year arrivals.
