Kaohsiung American School (KAS) is a private, nonprofit, college-preparatory school with an American curriculum modeled on stateside standards and learning objectives. The school serves foreign passport holding students from the international community of South Taiwan. The school year comprises 2 semesters from August 3 to December 16 and from January 30 to June 15.
Organization: The school administration includes three principals, a Curriculum/IB Coordinator, and the Head of School. The Board of Directors of the Kaohsiung American School has nine voting members: seven are elected parents, one is appointed by the Board, and one is appointed by the Director of the American Institute of Taiwan in Kaohsiung. The Head of School is an ex officio member and other members may be appointed to the board on an ex officio basis. The term of the office is for three years, and members are selected on a rotating basis to ensure carry-over.
Curriculum: The curriculum is based on the U.S. model of education. Instruction is in the English language. The school models high academic standards and provides for individualized and differentiated instruction where possible. The curriculum is updated and strengthened on an annual basis. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) is offered in the high school, leading toward college acceptances at stateside colleges and universities. MYP curriculum is followed in grade6-10 . The school’s academic and extracurricular programs promote each student’s intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and creative development. KAS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) and the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) and the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Faculty: In the 2022-2023 school year, KAS has 130 total staff including 88 teachers, 46 of whom are U.S. citizens, 21 host-country nationals, and 21 third-country nationals. Our faculty and staff represent 12 number of nationalities, including UK, Canada, UK, Japanese, Spain, Ireland etc. All teaching faculty maintain a teaching certificate/credential e.g., Diploma of Teaching/registered Teachers certificate from their countries of origin.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment was 765 (Elementary: 308; Middle: 208; High: 284). Of the total, 307 were U.S. citizens and 458 were third-country nationals.
Facilities: In addition to 48 classrooms, there are 5 science labs and 1 makerspace room ; a 400-seat auditorium used as a school community facility for assemblies and performances; a 100-seat lecture hall to host forums and/or MUN; a library with 4 private discussion rooms; a media center with 4 private discussion rooms; 2 music rooms; 2 art rooms; 1 outdoor basketball court; 2 playground facilities, a snack bar, an exhibition hall, and 1 outdoor artificial turf soccer field with a cork base. The sports complex opened in November 2016 and includes an indoor swimming pool, indoor gym with basketball court, weight room, and a LEED GOLD certified dining hall to serve catered lunch. KAS is a LEED certified school.
Finances: In the 2022-2023 school year, approximately 99 percent of the school’s income derives from school tuition and registration fees. The annual registration fee is $833. A “first time capital fee” (one-time fee, only year one) of $6,667 is being charged for each new student. The annual tuition rates are: PK to grade 5: $12,780; middle school: $14,080; and high school: $14,833. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars with the exchange rate at 1USD=30NTD.). KAS remains a non-profit entity – all resources directly support their educational program.
Special Needs: Download the Special Needs Profile (2023 Special Needs- Taiwan, Kaohsiung) for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.
This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general 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. Information and statistics are current as of September 2022 and are provided by the school.