Mr. Mark Ulfers, Superintendent
Taipei American School
800 Chung Shan North Road, Section 6
Shih Lin, Taipei, Taiwan
Tel: 886-2-2873-9900
Fax: 886-2-2873-1641
E-mail: markulfers@tas.edu.tw

2000-2001

The Taipei American School (TAS) is an independent, coeducational day school, which offers an educational program from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The School was founded in 1949. The school year comprises 2 semesters extending from mid-August to mid-December and from mid-January to early June.

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 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 US and other foreign government employees, and educators.

Curriculum: The lower school (PK through grade 5) curriculum 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 other people in other cultures. The middle school (grades 6-8) curriculum builds on these goals and provides opportunities for enrichment and acceleration. 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% of TAS graduates continue their education at a college or university, the vast majority in the United States. Parents of students with identifiable learning disabilities should contact the school directly to be sure that TAS has the resources and programs to be of assistance. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Faculty: There are 230 faculty members in the 2000-2001 school year. Of the total, 151 are U.S. citizens, 14 are host-country nationals, and 65 are third-country nationals.

Enrollment: Enrollment at the beginning of the 2000-2001 school year was 2,156 (780 in the lower school, 562 in the middle school, and 814 in the upper school). Of the total, 1,390 were U.S. citizens and 766 third-country nationals. Of the U.S. enrollment, 51 were dependents of American Institute in Taiwan employees, and 1,339 were dependents of other private U.S. citizens.

Facilities: The School occupies a 6-acre campus. In addition to a classroom building, facilities include 2 libraries, a cafeteria, a theater, 2 gymnasiums, tennis courts, athletic fields, and a swimming pool.

Finances: In the 2000-2001 school year, 85 percent of the school's income derives from tuition and registration fees. Annual tuition rates are as follows: lower school: $9,445; and middle and upper schools: $10,477. There is also an annual registration fee of $806. Round-trip transportation costs $938. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)

This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. The Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS) may have more detailed information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information regarding curriculum, special programs and the like.