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Taught languages Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin, French, English
Typical class size 12
Strengths STEM, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction
Kaohsiung American School (KAS) is a private PreK–12 international school founded in 1989 in Zuoying District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It delivers American standards-based curricula alongside the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme, with English as the language of instruction and Chinese taught as a national language option. The school serves students from early years through high school, supported by English as an Additional Language and learning support services. The campus is LEED-certified and features a 400-seat performing arts theater, five science laboratories, a state-of-the-art elementary STEAM makerspace, a library, and the Thomas Farrell Athletics Complex, including a swimming pool and rooftop tennis court. KAS offers the Future Leaders Program, Global Online Academy electives, and a broad range of clubs and activities. Tuition is charged per semester, with additional required and capital fees. The school emphasizes student-centered learning, service, and global citizenship within a diverse, multinational community for new families.
No. 889, Cuihua Rd, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 81352
Gallery
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Vibes and Culture
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The Essentials
Kaohsiung American School has 700 pupils, typical class sizes of 12, instruction in English.
Location
Kaohsiung American School is located at 889 Cuihua Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (postal code 813035). The campus sits at the southern end of the Lotus Pond area and is accessible from Kaohsiung's rail networks, including the High Speed Rail and Taiwan Rail lines. The LEED-certified, modern campus serves PreK–12 in a setting described as green and expansive.
Stages
The school offers a PreK–12 program, with an Elementary School (Pre-K through Grade 5), a Middle School (Grades 6–8), and a High School (Grades 9–12).
Type
Private, co-educational international school. The school operates as a private, fee-paying institution and is co-educational.
Additional learning support
The school provides EAL (English as an Additional Language) and Student Support Services with a dedicated team that includes counselors and learning-support staff. The team offers social-emotional learning, language development, learning supports (in-class push-in, small-group or 1:1), and contracted services (Educational Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Psychiatrist, Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist).
Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation; KAS is described as a fully accredited international school.
Religious affiliation
There is no religious affiliation stated by the school.
School day structure
Elementary days typically run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. with a snack break (9:45–10:00) and a mid-day lunch/recess block (12:00–12:45). An early dismissal period (2:50–3:10) occurs on some days. (Hours shown for Elementary.)
Bus service
The school offers optional daily transportation to and from school for a fee. Transportation details and routes are coordinated by KAS; inquiries should go through Admissions.
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees
Annual tuition at Kaohsiung American School ranges from TWD 7,554 to TWD 8,894 for 2026/27.
Application / Assessment Fees - Assessment fee (if required for new applicants): TWD 5,000. Assessment fee must be paid in cash when requested by the school.
Tuition (per semester) and equivalent annual amounts (calculated as 2 × semester) - PreKindergarten–Grade 5: TWD 236,050 per semester (equivalent to TWD 472,100 per academic year, calculated as 2 × semester). - Grades 6–8: TWD 261,400 per semester (equivalent to TWD 522,800 per academic year, calculated as 2 × semester). - Grades 9–12: TWD 277,950 per semester (equivalent to TWD 555,900 per academic year, calculated as 2 × semester).
Required, one-off and recurring fees - Annual registration fee (all students): TWD 35,000; this fee is non-refundable and is payable for the full academic year even when a student starts in the Spring semester. - Capital fees: - New student, first-time capital fee (one-time): TWD 200,000. - Existing student capital fee (per semester): TWD 10,000; discounts apply for additional children from the same family (TWD 2,500 per semester discount for second child; TWD 5,000 per semester discount for third and subsequent children). - Middle School Comprehensive Technology Program Fee (mandatory, one-time for students entering Middle School): TWD 35,000; fee covers a 14-inch convertible Chromebook, parental management software, and three years of support; the fee is non-refundable and the device ownership transfers to the family when leaving KAS or Middle School. - English Language Learner (ELL) fees (per semester, assessed by WIDA level when ELL support is required): - WIDA 0–2: TWD 65,000 per semester. - WIDA 3–4: TWD 50,000 per semester. - WIDA 5–6: TWD 35,000 per semester. - WIDA 6+: TWD 10,000 per semester. Fees for ELL services must be paid within 30 days of receiving the invoice.
Other costs and optional services - Lunch: available for purchase through the school for a fee; families may elect to order lunch. - Transportation: optional daily school bus service available for a fee. - Additional possible charges during a semester: fees for field trips and excursions, replacement costs for lost or damaged textbooks/workbooks/library books/laptops, fees for specialist assessments and therapies (e.g., speech & language, educational psychology), fees for after-school or off-campus activities provided by outside providers, and other incidental charges. - Textbooks and workbooks are included in tuition; ELL and other listed fees are excluded and must be paid separately.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Academic year structure: two semesters (Fall and Spring). Tuition and fees are billed per semester. - Default payment due dates (if no other invoice date is stated): Fall Semester payments due on or before May 15; Spring Semester payments due on or before November 15. Registration fee for existing students is due on or before March 15 if no invoice due date is specified. - Proration: tuition may be prorated for new students who enroll after a semester has begun (proration applies when enrollment starts more than 20 School Days after the semester start; tuition is calculated using a daily rate). - Sibling discount: a 15% tuition discount applies to the third and any additional students from the same family; the discount is applied to the lowest tuition rate among the siblings. - Late payment charges: a late payment penalty of 2% of the outstanding fees plus late payment interest at 5% per annum (calculated daily) will be charged on unpaid balances. The school may suspend student access to services or refuse to hold a seat if fees are unpaid.
Refund information and withdrawal - Withdrawal notice and refunds are handled in writing to the Admissions Office. Refund percentages for tuition, ELL, lunch and bus fees depend on the timing of the written withdrawal notice as follows: - Written notice received before the start of the semester: 75% refund of tuition, ELL, lunch and bus fees. - Written notice received on or within the first four calendar weeks of the semester: 50% refund of tuition, ELL, lunch and bus fees. - Written notice received on or after the first day of the fifth calendar week of the semester: no refund. - Other fees paid (including registration and capital fees) are not refundable unless the policy explicitly allows it; registration and capital fees are stated as non-refundable in the fee schedule. All fees are non-transferable. - No refunds are provided in the event of a force majeure event as defined in the school fee policy (this includes severe weather, epidemics/pandemics, government-mandated closures, and similar events).
Boarding - KAS operates as a day school (no boarding facilities); therefore there are no boarding fees.
Fee payment options and instructions - Payments must be made in cleared funds in cash or by remittance to the bank account nominated in writing by the school; assessment fees may be required to be paid in cash upon request. Parents must pay fees on or before the invoice due date.
Academics
Kaohsiung American School teaches American Curriculum, IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 4 to 18.
Curriculum
Kaohsiung American School offers a PK–12 curriculum that blends U.S. standards with the International Baccalaureate framework. Elementary School (Pre-K–Grade 5) follows American standards for core subjects—English, mathematics, science, social studies—with integrated English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and Chinese instruction, and includes STEAM, arts, PE, and music. Middle School (Grades 6–8) uses the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), with the MYP continuing into High School (Grades 9–10) and culminating in the Personal Project, along with advisory and enrichment experiences such as Envision Formosa. High School (Grades 9–12) combines the MYP through Grade 10 with the Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11–12, offering the IB Diploma, IB Bilingual Diploma, or DP subject certificates, while graduates receive a U.S. high school diploma. The school provides English language and learning support through EAL, Learning Support, and contracted specialists, with a full counseling team across levels.
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions
Admissions
1. Online application: Submit the online application for the upcoming school year. Applications are accepted year-round, and the admissions process for the next year begins in the spring. After you submit the application, the admissions team will contact you to schedule a campus visit and to answer any questions you may have.
2. Schedule a campus visit: A campus visit is arranged through the admissions team, and families are encouraged to visit on campus. Visits are offered Monday through Friday at 9:30 AM or 1:30 PM and typically last about one hour. The visit provides an opportunity to see classrooms, meet staff, and get a sense of the school culture.
3. Entry requirements: Each applicant must hold a valid foreign passport. For grades PK-2, fluent English is not required, but stronger English skills improve the likelihood of acceptance due to limited ELL spaces. For grades 3–12, a student must be able to read and write in English to have a chance at passing the English proficiency exam required before acceptance. Students in grades 8–12 must have good academic English proficiency to be successful in the program.
4. Admissions screening: After screening, there is a placement exam and an English language evaluation. Families may also interview with teachers or school principals as part of the process. The screening helps determine grade placement and readiness for the curriculum.
5. Admission decision: The admissions committee reviews applications and informs families of the status, which can be accepted, waitlisted, or declined. Decisions are communicated formally to allow families to plan next steps.
6. Onboarding for admitted students: Once admitted, families begin the onboarding process, and students join the Dragon community with an orientation or welcoming activities. The onboarding is designed to integrate new students into their grade cohort and school routines.
7. Waitlist/pool: If there are no spots available in a student's grade, the family is placed on a waitlist. The school contacts families as soon as space becomes available, and waitlisted families may move into a spot earlier if higher-priority candidates enroll.
8. Tours and ongoing questions: Families can schedule additional campus tours or ask questions as they consider KAS. The admissions team remains available to provide information on timelines, grade-level specifics, and placement criteria.
Scholarships
KAS does not publish or advertise any scholarships on its admissions pages.
Waitlist
KAS uses a waitlist for grades where spaces are not currently available. If there are no spots in your child's grade, your family is placed on the waitlist and will be contacted as space becomes available. This waitlist can shift if higher-priority applicants enroll.
School Events
The school has not added events
FAQs
Where is Kaohsiung American School located and how do I get there from the city or High Speed Rail station?
Kaohsiung American School is at 889 Cuihua Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (813035), at the southern end of the Lotus Pond area. The campus is accessible from Kaohsiung's rail networks, including the High Speed Rail and Taiwan Rail lines, and is set on a green, LEED-certified site near central transport links.
What age range and grades does KAS serve, and is it co-educational?
KAS is a private, co-educational day school serving students aged 4 to 18 across PreK–12, organized into Elementary (PreK–Grade 5), Middle (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12). Students graduate with a U.S. high school diploma and may pursue IB credentials in Grades 11–12.
What curriculum does KAS follow in each division?
KAS blends U.S. standards-based curricula with the International Baccalaureate framework: Elementary follows U.S. standards for core subjects with integrated EAL and Chinese instruction, Middle School uses the MYP, and High School continues MYP through Grade 10 before offering the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12 alongside a U.S. high school diploma option.
How do I start the admissions process and can I schedule a campus visit?
Begin by submitting an online application for the upcoming school year; applications are accepted year-round and the next-year admissions cycle begins in spring. The admissions office arranges campus visits Monday through Friday at 9:30 AM or 1:30 PM that typically last about one hour.
Are there entrance requirements for international applicants?
All applicants must hold a valid foreign passport. For PK–2 fluent English is not required though stronger English helps due to limited EAL spaces; for Grades 3–12 students must be able to read and write in English to take the required English proficiency exam, and Grades 8–12 require good academic English proficiency to be successful.
Is there an assessment or application fee and how is it paid?
An assessment fee of TWD 5,000 may be required for new applicants, and this assessment fee must be paid in cash when requested by the school. Other payments are normally made in cleared funds by remittance to the bank account nominated by the school.
What happens if there is no space in my child's grade level?
If there is no current space your family will be placed on a waitlist and the school will contact you as soon as space becomes available. The waitlist can shift if higher-priority candidates enroll, so placement depends on available openings and the admissions committee's priorities.
Does KAS offer scholarships or financial aid?
KAS does not publish or advertise any scholarships on its admissions pages. Families should plan for the published fee schedule when budgeting for enrollment.
What types of fees besides tuition should I expect at KAS?
In addition to semester tuition, there is an annual registration fee of TWD 35,000 (non-refundable), a one-time new student capital fee of TWD 200,000, and an existing student capital fee of TWD 10,000 per semester with sibling discounts of TWD 2,500 per semester for a second child and TWD 5,000 per semester for a third or subsequent child. Other possible charges include mandatory Middle School technology fees, ELL fees based on WIDA level, lunch, bus service, field trips, specialist assessments, and incidental replacement costs.
What is the Middle School technology fee and what does it cover?
The Middle School Comprehensive Technology Program Fee is a mandatory, one-time TWD 35,000 for students entering Middle School. It covers a 14-inch convertible Chromebook, parental management software, and three years of support, and the device ownership transfers to the family when leaving KAS or Middle School.
How are EAL / ELL services charged if my child needs English language support?
ELL fees are assessed by WIDA level and charged per semester: WIDA 0–2 is TWD 65,000 per semester; WIDA 3–4 is TWD 50,000 per semester; WIDA 5–6 is TWD 35,000 per semester; and WIDA 6+ is TWD 10,000 per semester. Fees for ELL services must be paid within 30 days of receiving the invoice.
What is the school's billing schedule and what are the payment deadlines?
The academic year has two semesters and tuition and fees are billed per semester. Default payment due dates are: Fall Semester on or before May 15 and Spring Semester on or before November 15, while the registration fee for existing students is due on or before March 15 if no other invoice date is specified.
What refund or withdrawal policies apply if we need to leave mid-semester?
Refunds depend on the timing of written notice to the Admissions Office: if notice is received before the semester start, 75% of tuition, ELL, lunch and bus fees are refunded; if received on or within the first four calendar weeks, 50% is refunded; notice received on or after the first day of the fifth calendar week results in no refund. Registration and capital fees are non-refundable unless the policy explicitly allows otherwise.
What academic supports are available for students with learning needs?
KAS offers inclusive education through a Student Support Team of teachers, specialists, and administrators providing in-class push-in, small-group, or 1:1 instruction and differentiated curricula. For more intensive needs the school contracts external specialists including Educational Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Psychiatrists, Speech Therapists, and Occupational Therapists.
How does the EAL program work for non-native English speakers?
The EAL program focuses on developing reading, writing, speaking, and listening so students can transition into mainstream classes, placing students in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their needs. The program includes dedicated EAL instructors at elementary levels and an EAL Handbook outlines placement and policies.
What wellbeing and counseling services are available to students?
KAS has a full counseling team of four full-time counselors who provide 1:1 and small-group counseling, social-emotional learning, behavior support, and collaboration with teachers and families. SEL is embedded across PreK–12 through advisory, classroom lessons, and proactive wellness initiatives.
What facilities does the campus include for arts, science and athletics?
The LEED-certified campus includes a 400-seat performing arts theater, five science laboratories, an elementary STEAM makerspace, the KAS Library, and the Thomas Farrell Athletics Complex with a 6-lane adjustable-depth saltwater pool, full-size basketball court, soccer field, gym, dance studio, and rooftop tennis court. The campus also offers technology programs such as a 1:1 iPad program for PK–G2 and Chromebooks for G3–G5.
What library and lab resources are available to students and when is the library open?
The KAS Library provides a catalog, access to digital resources, and librarian support on weekdays and limited Saturday hours. Library hours are weekdays 7:30 AM–4:30 PM and Saturdays 1:00–4:00 PM, with staff available to assist families and students.
What extracurricular activities, clubs and leadership programs are offered?
KAS offers more than 50 after-school clubs, activities, and sports, including Robotics, Chess, Spectrum, Art for Charity, and performing arts ensembles. Leadership programs include the Future Leaders Program which pairs high school students with professional mentors, along with National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society service leadership opportunities.
How is Mandarin taught and what language options exist for students?
Mandarin immersion is provided in Pre-K and Kindergarten with language learning integrated into regular classrooms, while Grades 1–5 offer two tracks—Native Chinese Learners and Chinese Language Learners—to build literacy and oral proficiency. High school students can pursue advanced Mandarin study including IB Chinese options, and world languages such as Spanish and Japanese are available in middle and high school.
What are the tuition fees at Kaohsiung American School?
Annual tuition at Kaohsiung American School ranges from TWD 7,554 to TWD 8,894 depending on year group. Fees are reviewed each year, so check the school's current fee schedule before applying.
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