At a glance
Dominican International School is one of the oldest international schools in Taipei. It traces its roots to 1956, when the Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic gained permission to open a school for Catholic families, starting the following year in a small rented house on Chang'an East Road before growing into the campus it occupies today at 76 Dazhi Street in the Dazhi area of the Zhongshan District. The Dominican Sisters still own and run the school, which gives it a clear Catholic character, and it teaches a modified American curriculum from kindergarten through to Grade 12. It holds accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, one of the main accreditors of American schools, which is the external benchmark families look for on teaching and governance. For the wider market and how the city's schools compare, start with our guide to international schools in Taipei.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | Modified American curriculum, high school diploma, Advanced Placement and SAT; Religious Studies as a Catholic school |
| Stages | Kindergarten through Grade 12 |
| Founded | 1956, by the Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic |
| Accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) |
| Fee band | Mid (see the Taipei fees guide) |
| Campus area | Dazhi, Zhongshan District, Taipei |
Curriculum and academics
The school follows a modified American curriculum, which gives families moving from a United States system a familiar progression of grades and a high school diploma at the end, supported by Advanced Placement courses and SAT preparation for older students. As a Catholic school run by the Dominican Sisters, it threads Religious Studies through the programme and sets a faith based tone to school life, which is part of why some families choose it over a secular American school and why others look elsewhere. The important point for relocating parents weighing curricula is that Dominican does not run the International Baccalaureate. Its leaving qualification is the American high school diploma with Advanced Placement, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges through to 2029, so a family set on the IB Diploma in Taipei should look at other schools and can start with our roundup of the best IB schools in Taipei. We describe the programme in the terms the school uses and do not publish examination figures we cannot verify, so ask the school directly for recent Advanced Placement results and university destinations.
Dominican International School fees
Dominican International School fees sit in the mid band for Taipei, below the largest American and European campuses but still a real commitment for a relocating family. Annual tuition rises by stage, with the high school the most expensive, and the school issues the current schedule to applicants rather than publishing a single fixed figure that dates quickly. We do not print a headline number here because rates are revised each year, and you can place the band in context through our guide to international school fees in Taipei. Beyond tuition, budget for a registration fee, a refundable deposit and optional transport. To weigh Dominican against other Taipei schools on cost and curriculum, take the school finder quiz below.
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Admissions
Admission runs across the academic year, with the main intake at the August start and places offered into other grades where space exists. Families relocating to Taipei should apply ahead of the year they need a place, as the established schools fill popular grades early and Dominican has a long standing community of returning families. Assessment is age appropriate, with readiness checks for the youngest children and curriculum based testing in English and mathematics for older applicants, alongside school reports and references from the previous school. As a Catholic school the admissions team may discuss the faith based character of the programme with you, though the school enrols children of all backgrounds. The school sets out the documents it asks for, including residency and transfer papers, during the application.
Location and who goes there
Dominican sits at 76 Dazhi Street in the Dazhi area of the Zhongshan District, a central and well connected part of Taipei close to the Keelung River and within reach of the Neihu and Tianmu neighbourhoods where many expatriate families live. The school draws Catholic families, families from across Asia and the Americas who want an American route, and Taiwanese families looking for an English medium education with a clear values base. The right school in Taipei usually comes down to the curriculum you want, the fee band you can sustain and the commute, so it is worth visiting in person and comparing shortlisted schools before you decide. For the wider picture of where families settle and how the schools compare, return to the Taipei city hub, or read our guide to international school fees in Taipei.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once they are verified. If your child attends or has attended Dominican International School, you can submit a review to help other relocating families. We never display a star rating without real, checked reviews behind it.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Dominican International School fees?
Dominican International School fees sit in the mid band for Taipei international schools, below the largest American and European campuses but a real commitment for a relocating family. Tuition rises by stage, with the high school the most expensive, and the school issues the current schedule to applicants. Budget separately for registration, a refundable deposit and optional transport, and ask the school for the latest figures, as rates are revised each year.
Is Dominican International School a good school?
Dominican International School is a long established Catholic school accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, offering a modified American curriculum with Advanced Placement to Grade 12. Whether it suits your child depends on whether you want a faith based American route, the budget you can sustain and proximity to the Dazhi area of Taipei. It does not run the IB Diploma.
What curriculum does Dominican International School follow?
The school follows a modified American curriculum from kindergarten to Grade 12, leading to a high school diploma with Advanced Placement courses and SAT preparation, and it includes Religious Studies as a Catholic school. It does not offer the International Baccalaureate, so families set on the IB Diploma should look at other Taipei schools.
When do Dominican International School applications open?
The main intake follows the academic year, with most places filled ahead of the August start and mid year entry where space exists. Apply early for popular grades, as established Taipei schools fill quickly, and expect age appropriate assessment for younger children and English and mathematics testing for older applicants.
Where is Dominican International School located?
The school is at 76 Dazhi Street in the Dazhi area of the Zhongshan District of Taipei, a central residential district popular with expatriate families.
