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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees NT$11,434 - 24,819
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 310
Type Co-educational, Online/Hybrid
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum)
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Leadership and Professional, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction
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.
Gaotie 2nd Rd, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County, Taiwan 302
Gallery
The school has not added photos
The Essentials
Hsinchu County American School has 310 pupils, typical class sizes of 8, instruction in English.
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.
Diving Deeper
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.
Fees
Annual tuition at Hsinchu County American School ranges from TWD 11,434 to TWD 24,819 for 2026/27.
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.
Academics
Hsinchu County American School teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum) for students aged 3 to 18.
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.
Wellbeing
Parent Experience
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
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.
Languages
Language Provision
The school teaches in English.
Reputation
Accreditations
WASC accreditation.
Admissions
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.
School Events
The school has not added events
FAQs
Where is Hsinchu County American School located and what ages does it serve?
HCAS is in Zhubei City, Hsinchu County, Taiwan at No. 189, Gaotie 2nd Rd., about a five-minute walk from the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) Zhubei station. The school serves students aged 3 to 18 (Pre‑K/K through Grade 12) on a single campus.
What type of school is HCAS and what curriculum does it follow?
HCAS is an independent, co‑educational, college‑preparatory day school that follows an American‑based curriculum guided by the Dalton Plan. Instruction is organized around the Seven Cs—Compassion, Collaboration, Community, Contribution, Creativity, Critical thinking, and Communication—and balances core disciplines, the Arts, and technology.
How does the admissions process work and what documents are required?
Admissions begins with a campus tour and an online application; applications are processed in the order received and reviewed for space availability. Required documents include official report cards/transcripts (grade‑specific histories are requested), a copy of the student's passport (Taiwanese students must hold a second passport), and any other records requested during review; records in English speed processing but records in other languages can be accepted.
Are there admissions test fees and how much are they?
Yes, admissions test fees are charged to confirm the test appointment: K3 (Kindergarten 3) – TWD 2,000; Grades 1–3 – TWD 3,000; Grades 4–12 – TWD 5,000. The admissions test appointment is confirmed only after the test fee has been paid, and the fee can be paid in cash at the Parent Services Desk.
When can my child start and is rolling enrollment available?
Entry times are offered year‑round with rolling enrollment accepted for many grades. Kindergarten 1 and 2 use rolling enrollment; Kindergarten 3 is preferred by Oct 1 or the start of Semester 2 but can roll; Grades 1–8 are preferred by Oct 1 or Semester 2 start, and Grades 9–12 prefer the end of the first week of school or Semester 2 with rolling enrollment as needed.
What academic programme does the Upper School offer and how many credits are required to graduate?
Upper School students take core subjects in English, History, Languages, Math, and Science; a full course load yields 26 credits and graduation requires a minimum of 22 credits. Students also complete Arts, Health, PE, and Service Learning requirements across about 180 school days per year.
Does HCAS offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses?
Yes, HCAS offers AP courses with prerequisites; the 2020–2021 AP offerings included a broad range such as AP Biology, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, AP Physics variants, AP Statistics, AP Spanish, AP Music Theory, several AP Art courses, and AP United States Government and Politics.
How does HCAS support students applying to universities?
HCAS is a college‑preparatory school and provides college counseling to prepare students for higher education and post‑secondary opportunities aligned with their AP coursework and academic interests. Graduates pursue university placements supported by the college counseling programme.
What academic facilities are available on campus?
The indoor 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, a gymnasium, a kindergarten play area, a cafeteria, and an audiovisual room. The school supports lab‑based learning and student‑led projects with teacher mentors.
What sports and outdoor facilities does the campus have?
The campus has a gymnasium for indoor sports, an outdoor soccer field, a basketball court, and two play areas. A community garden is also in development to enhance the campus environment.
What extracurricular activities and teams are available for students?
HCAS offers athletic teams such as Boys Basketball (G9–12), Girls Basketball (G6–12), Girls Volleyball (G6–12), Boys Soccer (G9–12), Badminton (G6–12), and Tennis (G7–12), plus academic teams like World Scholar's Cup (G6–12), MUN (G7–12), and VEX Robotics (G6–12). Clubs, labs, and extracurriculars are supported by teacher mentors and student‑led projects to foster collaboration and ownership of learning.
How does the House system and mentoring work at HCAS?
Students in Grades 1–12 are assigned to one of four houses—Green Dragons, White Tigers, Red Phoenixes, and Black Turtles—which compete in academics, sports, service projects, and other events. 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, and the house curriculum supports the Seven Cs framework.
Are there student leadership opportunities like a Student Council?
Yes, Student Council is part of the extracurricular life alongside the House system, giving students formal leadership and voice in school activities and events. Leadership opportunities are integrated with house competitions and community projects.
What English language support is offered for non‑native speakers?
HCAS provides an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme for students from non‑English speaking backgrounds in Grades 1–10, offering both push‑in and pull‑out support. Participation in the EAL programme is mandatory if a student is assigned to it, and EAL support is charged as an additional fee when required.
What Student Support Services and counselling does the school provide?
The school has a Student Support Services (SST) framework that develops individual education plans under a Response to Intervention (RtI) approach when needed. A social‑emotional counselor assists with student wellbeing and works with staff, parents, and government agencies as appropriate.
Is a uniform required and how are uniforms purchased?
Yes, HCAS requires students to wear a uniform. Uniform purchases and related parent‑service transactions are handled through the Parent Services office.
What are the school hours and day structure?
School days run Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 17:00. The school operates as a day school and does not publish a boarding programme.
What lunch and food services are provided on campus?
Daily lunch is prepared by a culinary team led by Chef Huang and typically includes meat, vegetables, soup, fruit, and a protein such as tofu or egg, with allergen information provided. Kindergarten through Grade 4 receive afternoon snacks, and a monthly lunch menu is published with a form for parents to submit suggestions.
What accreditations and licences does HCAS hold?
HCAS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), and it is licensed by the Taiwan Ministry of Education and the Hsinchu Education Bureau. These affiliations support the school's American‑based college‑preparatory programme.
How large is the school and what is its enrollment capacity?
HCAS currently enrolls about 310 students and the campus capacity is 360 students, providing a single‑campus K–12 environment. Classroom and facility resources are organized to serve all grades on one site.
What are the tuition fees at Hsinchu County American School?
Annual tuition at Hsinchu County American School ranges from TWD 11,434 to TWD 24,819 depending on year group. Fees are reviewed each year, so check the school's current fee schedule before applying.
