Compare International Curriculum International Schools in Taiwan

Instructs in English

Ages 3 - 18 years

Fees NT$11,434 - 24,819

Pupils 310

Type Co-educational, Online/Hybrid

Hsinchu County American School (HCAS) is an independent, co-educational, college‑preparatory day school on a single campus in Zhubei City, Hsinchu County (No. 189, Gaotie 2nd Road). The school serves ages 3–18 (pre‑K/Kinder through Grade 12) with a stated capacity of around 360 students and follows an American-based programme with Advanced Placement courses alongside a range of international offerings (Cambridge, IGCSE, IPC and the IB Diploma are listed in the school's materials). HCAS says the Dalton Plan shapes its pedagogy and the school holds full WASC accreditation. The school's main medium of instruction is English; students also study Mandarin and the school publishes English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL) and student‑support services. Published campus information and school materials list indoor and outdoor facilities including multiple classrooms, science and robotics labs, a computer lab, a library, art/music/dance studios, an auditorium/AV room, gymnasium and playgrounds, and a cafeteria. College‑counselling support and a structured student‑support framework are also described in school documents.

Location

HCAS is located in Zhubei City, Hsinchu County, Taiwan. The campus sits in central Zhubei with convenient access to local amenities and transportation. It is about a five-minute walk from the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) Zhubei station. The address is No. 189, Gaotie 2nd Rd., Zhubei City, 302.

Stages

HCAS provides education from Pre-K through Grade 12 on a single campus.

Type

Independent, co-educational, college-preparatory international day school.

Additional learning support

The school has a Student Support Services (SST) framework. An English as an Additional Language (EAL) program supports students from non-English-speaking backgrounds (grades 1–10) with push-in and pull-out support. A social-emotional counselor assists with well-being and works with staff, parents, and government, and the SST develops individualized education plans under an RtI approach when needed.

Country affiliation

The school follows an American-based curriculum and is accredited by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC); it is licensed by the Taiwan MOE and Hsinchu Education Bureau.

Religious affiliation

No religious affiliation is stated.

School day structure

School days run Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 17:00.

Bus service

HCAS provides a school bus transportation service; arrangements are coordinated through the bus transportation contact (Nunu Sun) and the appropriate transportation channels.

Application and admissions fees

- Admissions test fees (payable to confirm the test appointment): K3 (Kindergarten 3) – NTD 2,000; Grades 1–3 – NTD 3,000; Grades 4–12 – NTD 5,000.

- No separate, specific ‘‘application fee'' amount for general admission is published in the school's public admissions information; the admissions test fee above is the only application-related fee itemised.

Tuition fees by year group

- The school's public pages do not publish a term-by-term or year-by-year tuition schedule (no numeric tuition rates per grade or per term were posted on the accessible admissions or FAQ pages). A tuition pay slip is issued once enrollment documents are completed and returned.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- After acceptance and completion of enrollment documents, a tuition pay slip is issued with a due date; the pay slip is the billing instrument used to request tuition payment.

- The admissions test appointment is confirmed only after the test fee is paid; that test fee can be paid in cash at the Parent Services Desk according to the admissions guidance.

- No detailed public schedule of tuition instalments, semester/term breakdowns, or standard payment deadlines (for example: annual vs. per-term billing, or instalment plans) was published on the school's admissions or FAQ pages.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- Hsinchu County American School operates as a day school; no boarding programme or boarding fees are published or described.

Other costs and fees

- English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is charged as an additional fee when required; participation in the EAL programme is mandatory if assigned.

- Families are responsible for purchasing required student devices (mandatory in Grades 7–12; encouraged in Grades 5–6) and for textbooks and course materials as required by grade level.

- Uniform purchases and related parent-service transactions are handled through the Parent Services office (an email contact is provided for Parent Services). Specific uniform prices were not published on the public pages.

- No itemised lists of other miscellaneous fees (for example: transport fees, activity/workbook fees, facility fees, or technology fees with fixed amounts) were published on the accessible admissions or FAQ pages.

Refund information

- No comprehensive refund policy for tuition or fees (for example: pro‑rata refunds for withdrawal by week or semester) was published on the accessible admissions and FAQ pages. The public admissions information does not list specific refund rules.

Fee payment options

- The school issues a tuition pay slip for payment after enrollment; the admissions test fee can be paid in cash at the Parent Services Desk to confirm the test appointment. No explicit, published details on other payment methods (for example: credit card acceptance, online payment portal, or bank transfer instructions) were found on the public admissions, FAQ, or contact pages.

Summary of findings and missing details

- Available, specific fee items located on the school's public pages: admissions test fees (K3 / Grades 1–3 / Grades 4–12), a statement that EAL incurs additional fees, device/textbook responsibility, and administrative contact points (Parent Services).

- Missing from the publicly accessible admissions/FAQ/contact pages: numeric tuition rates by grade or term; a published billing schedule (term dates and instalment options); a detailed refund policy; published prices for uniforms, transportation, or other recurring charges; and explicit payment method instructions (bank transfer details or credit card acceptance).

- Pages checked during this review include the school admissions and FAQ pages, the contact/Parent Services information, and the school home page.

If you require these specific numeric tuition amounts, billing dates, refund terms, uniform prices, or payment instructions for a database entry, those items were not posted on the school's public admissions/FAQ/contact pages and will need to be obtained directly from the school's admissions or Parent Services office using the contact details provided.

Uniform Requirement

The school requires a uniform; uniform purchases are handled by the Parent Services team.

Food Options

The school provides daily lunch prepared by a culinary team led by Chef Huang. Meals include meat, vegetables, soup, fruit, and a protein such as tofu or egg, with allergen information provided. Kindergarten through grade 4 receive snacks in the afternoon. A monthly lunch menu is published and parents can submit lunch suggestions via a form.

House System

The school uses a four-house system: Green Dragons, White Tigers, Red Phoenixes, and Black Turtles. Students in grades 1–12 are assigned to a house; teachers are matched with groups of seven to nine student mentees in grades 5–12, while grades 1–4 are mentored by the homeroom teacher or another staff mentor. The house curriculum supports the Seven Cs—Compassion, Collaboration, Community, Contribution, Creativity, Critical-thinking, and Communication—and houses compete in academics, sports, service projects, and other events.

Governance and Ownership

The school is governed by a Board of Directors and a Board Advisor. The Governing Board provides overall governance and strategic oversight and collaborates with the Principal to support the school and ensure fiscal sustainability. The founder is Dr. Jing Wang; the Board Chair is Peter Huang, the Vice Chair is Vivien Lin, and other Board Members include Shawn Shen, Josh Fan, Jay Fang, and Sonam Tashi; a Board Advisor, Min Yeh, also serves the school.

Curriculum

HCAS is an independent, college-preparatory, co-educational day school in Zhubei City, Taiwan serving grades K–12 on one campus with a capacity of 360 students. The Dalton Plan guides instruction to educate the whole person and develop lifelong learners who are healthy, creative, social, and globally minded, able to think independently and critically. The curriculum is balanced across core disciplines, the Arts, and technology and is organized around the Seven Cs: Compassion, Collaboration, Community, Contribution, Creativity, Critical thinking, and Communication. In the Upper School, English, History, Languages, Math, and Science are core subjects; a full course load yields 26 credits, graduation requires a minimum of 22 credits, and students complete Arts, Health, PE, and Service Learning requirements over about 180 school days per year. AP courses are offered with prerequisites; the 2020–2021 list includes AP Biology, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, AP Music Theory, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C (E&M and Mechanics), AP Drawing, AP 2-D Art and Design, and AP United States Government and Politics.

Higher Education Progression

The school prepares students for higher education through a college-preparatory program and college counseling; graduates pursue higher education at universities and pursue opportunities aligned with their AP coursework and academic interests.

History

HCAS is an independent, college-preparatory, co-educational day school in Zhubei City, Taiwan with 360 students in grades K–12 on a single campus. The Dalton Plan informs its educational approach, emphasizing freedom and cooperation, with laboratories as centers of discovery. The House system supports school spirit and belonging and assigns students and staff to one of four houses named after Chinese mythological gods. The school motto is AUT VIAM INVENIAM AUT FACIAM, and the mission is to educate the whole person through the Dalton Plan to develop individuals who contribute to humanity. The school is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Community

HCAS's mission states it educates the whole person through the Dalton Plan and fosters lifelong learners who are healthy, creative, social, and globally minded. The Seven Cs framework guides the curriculum, including Compassion, Collaboration, Community, Contribution, Creativity, Critical-thinking, and Communication. The Dalton Plan and House system promote independence, collaboration, and a sense of belonging. HCAS highlights community stories and events via HCAS Stories and Community Events.

Facilities Overview

HCAS is located in Zhubei City, Hsinchu County, Taiwan. The indoor space includes 30 classrooms, two science labs, a robotics lab, a computer lab, a library, an art studio, a music room, a dance studio, a gymnasium, a kindergarten play area, a cafeteria, and an audiovisual room. Outdoors, the campus features a soccer field, a basketball court, and two play areas. A community garden is in development to enhance the campus environment.

Sports Facilities

The gymnasium supports indoor sports, and the campus outdoor facilities include a soccer field and a basketball court.

Academic Facilities

Academic facilities include 30 classrooms, two science labs, a robotics lab, a computer lab, a library, an art studio, a music room, a dance studio, and an audiovisual room.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Athletic teams include Boys Basketball (G9-12), Girls Basketball (G6-12), Girls Volleyball (G6-12), Boys Soccer (G9-12), Badminton (G6-12), and Tennis (G7-12). Academic teams include World Scholar Cup (G6-12), MUN (G7-12), and VEX Robotics (G6-12). Labs and ECs provide lab-based learning with teacher mentors and student-led projects, fostering collaboration and ownership of learning. House and Student Council are part of the extracurricular life.

Admissions

1. Campus Tour. Campus tours are offered year-round. The tour provides an opportunity to see classrooms and facilities and to meet staff. The admissions process seeks families who fit the school's Seven Cs values on and off campus. 2. Online Application. An online application form must be received before a student can be considered for admission. Applications are processed in the order they are received, and acceptance decisions are communicated in a timely manner. The admissions process includes reviewing submitted information and space availability. 3. Documents Submission. Submit official report cards or transcripts from previous schools. Grade-by-grade documentation: Grade 1 needs no prior records; Grade 2-4 require the previous year and current year; Grade 5-8 require the previous two years and the current year; Grade 9-12 require the previous three years and the current year. A copy of the student's passport is required; Taiwanese students must hold a second passport. For faster processing, submit records in English; records in another language can be accepted. 4. Admissions Test. The Admissions Department will schedule the admissions test(s). The appointment is confirmed once the test fee has been paid (K3 – 2,000 NTD; Grades 1-3 – 3,000 NTD; Grades 4-12 – 5,000 NTD). 5. Internal Review. An internal review of the application, documents, and admissions test results will be conducted. A staff member may contact the family for additional information or clarification; timely responses are needed to move the review forward. 6. Admissions Result and Enrollment. If admitted, the family will receive a date to collect the new student folder. Once enrollment documents are completed and the tuition payment is made, a tuition slip will be issued with a due date. The admissions team will confirm with internal departments and issue a start date; onboarding takes place on the working day before the start date. 7. Entry Times. Entry times are year-round with campus tours and applications accepted continuously. Kindergarten 1 and 2 use rolling enrollment; Kindergarten 3 (typically 5) is preferred by Oct 1 or start of Semester 2, but rolling enrollment is possible. Grades 1-8 are preferred by Oct 1 or start of Semester 2; Grades 9-12 prefer the end of the first week of school or start of Semester 2, with rolling enrollment as needed.

Scholarships

The school reports that graduates receive scholarships; the Class of 2025 (28 students) has been awarded scholarships totaling over NT$58.4 million.

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Compare International Curriculum International Schools in Taiwan

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