Dr. Sharon Hennessy, Superintendent
Taipei American School
800 Chung Shan North Road, Section 6
Shih Lin 11152, Taipei, Taiwan
Tel: 886-2-2873-9900
Fax: 886-2-2873-1641
E-mail: mainadmn@tas.edu.tw
Recruitment: hr@tas.edu.tw
Web: www.tas.edu.tw
2007-2008
The Taipei American School (TAS) is an independent, coeducational day school, which offers an educational program from prekindergarten A through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The School was founded in 1949. The school year comprises 2 semesters extending from August 16 to December 20 and from January 7 to June 6.
Organization: The School is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors elected for 3-year terms by the Taipei American School Association. Membership in the Association is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School.
Community: The School is located in Tien Mou, a northern suburb of Taipei, where many members of the expatriate community reside. High-rise apartment buildings and commercial enterprises characterize the landscape. The vast majority of parents work for local businesses or international corporations. There is a sizeable contingent of professionals, various foreign government employees, and educators.
Curriculum: The curriculum in the lower school (PK-grade 5) is centered around the following 4 goals: to teach the essential basic skills; to develop a desire to learn; to teach toward understanding, self-discipline, and self-respect; and to develop an understanding and respect for people in other cultures. The middle school (grades 6-8) curriculum builds on these goals and provides opportunities for enrichment. The upper school (grades 9-12) offers a highly academic, college preparatory program leading to a U.S. high school diploma or an International Baccalaureate diploma. Almost 100 percent of TAS graduates continue their education at a college or university, the vast majority in the United States. TAS offers support services for mild learning needs. (Parents of students with identifiable learning differences should contact the School directly to be sure that TAS has the resources and programs to be of assistance.) TAS also has a School-within-a-School special education program for students ages 5-10 with more moderate level special education needs. The School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Faculty: In the 2007-2008 school year, there are 252 faculty members.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, enrollment was 2,219 (794 in the lower school, 578 in the middle school, and 847 in the upper school).
Faclities: The School occupies a campus of 6.5 hectares (approximately 15 acres). In addition to 120 regular classrooms, the School has 11 science labs, a large library-media center, music and art facilities, two theaters, multiple computer labs, sports facilities with an artificially surfaced playing field, and a cafeteria.
Finances: In the 2007-2008 school year, approximately 90.5% of the School's income derives from tuition and fees. Annual tuition rates are as follows: lower school: $11,891; and middle and upper schools: $13,194. There is also an annual registration fee of $758 and a one-time capital fee of $4,545. Round-trip student transportation costs $1,127. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
