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International Bilingual School at Tainan-Science-Park (IBST)

Taiwan, Tainan

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees NT$75,060 - 268,000
Ages 6 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 146
Type Co-educational
Opened 2006
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages Mandarin
Typical class size 5
Strengths STEM, Sport, Performing Arts
Clubs Community and Service, Social and Hobbies, Cultural and Language
Stages Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

The International Bilingual School at Tainan-Science-Park (IBST) is an English-medium program within the National Nanke International Experimental High School campus in the Southern Taiwan Science Park. Founded in 2006 as part of NNKIEH, IBST serves students in Grades 1–12 and was officially named IBST in 2012. The school provides a public, co-educational, college-preparatory program built on a western-style curriculum, with English as the language of instruction and Mandarin required as a first or second language. Mandarin and Chinese as a Second Language are taught within the Chinese language program, alongside AP courses in upper grades. The campus sits in a high-tech science park environment, offering exposure to multinational companies, universities, and research institutes. IBST emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and communication as School-Wide Learning Outcomes in a diverse, international student body representing about 14 countries. The school supports a range of co-curricular activities, including robotics, debate, MUN, and performing arts.

No. 1, Ln. 888, Xilaya Blvd., Xinshi Dist., Tainan City 744094, Taiwan

The Essentials

International Bilingual School at Tainan-Science-Park (IBST) has 146 pupils, typical class sizes of 5, instruction in English.

Location
IBST sits on the National Nanke International Experimental High School campus in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, Xinshi District, Tainan. The campus address is No. 1, Lane 888, Xilaya Blvd., Xinshi District, 744094, Taiwan. The school is located within Taiwan's science-park belt, adjacent to other research and tech facilities.

Stages
IBST serves students from Grades 1 through 12. The elementary grades are complemented by a secondary program (Grades 7–12) that operates on a college-preparatory, English-language model with Mandarin as a required component. In 2025–2026 the school profile notes 146 students across Grades 1–12, including 61 high school students.

Type
IBST is a public, co-educational, college-preparatory program built on a western-style curriculum. It began as part of National Nanke International Experimental High School (NNKIEH) and serves students from primary through secondary levels on the NNKIEH campus.

Additional learning support
Special Education Services are available. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed with input from special education staff, homeroom teachers, subject teachers, and parents. Supports may include curriculum modifications, assessment accommodations, social/learning-skills classes, and related therapies; generally, students remain in regular classes.

Country affiliation
IBST does not have a formal country affiliation. It is a public school governed by Taiwan's Ministry of Education and the National Science and Technology Council and is located in Taiwan.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is indicated; IBST operates as a secular public school.

School day structure
The school day starts at 8:00 a.m. for Grades 1–12. G7–12 classes run 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on most days, while elementary students have a half-day on Wednesdays (dismissal at 12:40 p.m.); Grades 1–2 also have adjusted dismissal days on certain days.

Bus service
IBST does not operate a dedicated school bus service. Transportation for students is managed through family arrangements, and the campus provides guidelines for student-owned vehicles (bicycles, motorcycles/electric motorcycles, electric bicycles) including parking permits, routes, safety rules, and speed limits.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
IBST is the Bilingual Department of National Nanke International Experimental High School (NNKIEH), a public, multicultural, co‑educational school located in the Southern Taiwan Science Park. IBST enrolls 109 students from 14 nationalities out of NNKIEH's total 2,348 students; 83% of IBST parents hold advanced degrees.
Fees

Annual tuition at International Bilingual School at Tainan-Science-Park (IBST) ranges from TWD 75,060 to TWD 268,000 for 2026/27.

Application fees
- No application or examination fee is listed in the school's Admission Guideline for the current intake cycle.

Tuition fees (per term / per year group)
- For students admitted under Article III, Subparagraphs 1–3 (grade-specific rates):
- Grades 1–6: Tuition NTD 25,900 / semester; Miscellaneous expenses NTD 11,630 / semester; Total NTD 37,530 / semester — NTD 75,060 per school year (2 semesters).
- Grades 7–9: Tuition NTD 26,900 / semester; Miscellaneous expenses NTD 13,810 / semester; Total NTD 40,710 / semester — NTD 81,420 per school year (2 semesters).
- Grades 10–12: Tuition NTD 40,000 / semester; Miscellaneous expenses NTD 4,510 / semester; Total NTD 44,510 / semester — NTD 89,020 per school year (2 semesters).

- For students admitted under Subparagraphs 4 & 5 (year-of-enrollment rates applied across G1–G12):
- Year-of-enrollment 2022–2023 (111學年度入學): Tuition NTD 108,500 / semester; Miscellaneous NTD 5,500 / semester; Total NTD 114,000 / semester — NTD 228,000 per school year (2 semesters).
- Year-of-enrollment 2023–2024 (112學年度入學): Tuition NTD 118,500 / semester; Miscellaneous NTD 5,500 / semester; Total NTD 124,000 / semester — NTD 248,000 per school year (2 semesters).
- Year-of-enrollment 2024–2025 (113學年度入學) and thereafter for incoming students: Tuition NTD 128,500 / semester; Miscellaneous NTD 5,500 / semester; Total NTD 134,000 / semester — NTD 268,000 per school year (2 semesters).

- All amounts are denominated in New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) and the school's tuition and fee guideline lists the fees on a semester basis.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition and miscellaneous fees are assessed on a semester basis. The tuition guideline is explicit that the listed amounts are per semester.
- School lunches are invoiced on a bi-monthly basis. Lunch prices are NTD 40 per lunch (elementary) or NTD 50 per lunch (middle/high); meal payments must be made in advance as specified by the school.
- Textbook orders are submitted to an approved vendor and invoiced by that vendor; payment terms follow the vendor invoice and orders are non‑refundable once placed.

Boarding fees (dormitory)
- The Parent/Student Handbook references dorm students' application and care arrangements, indicating boarding is administered in the school context; however, the published IBST documents do not list a separate, published dormitory fee schedule or dorm rates. Dorm fees and application details are handled through the school's student affairs/registrar processes.

Other costs and fees
- Textbooks and course materials: textbooks are ordered through the school-designated vendor; prices are shown on the vendor order and include import fees and taxes. Textbook orders are non‑returnable and non‑refundable once placed. Payment is made to the vendor (bank remittance details are supplied on the order form).
- School lunch: NTD 40 or NTD 50 per meal; lunch payments are paid in advance and billed every two months.
- Student accident insurance: a compulsory accident policy is required for students (this government policy is purchased per student); the handbook notes the insurance requirement though a separate premium amount is not listed in the IBST handbook.
- Miscellaneous costs (field trips, elective materials, after‑school clubs, replacement ID cards, lost/damaged library books, specific course materials, contests, or optional activities) may be charged separately; some of these items are covered by the “miscellaneous expenses” component of the semester charge and others are billed individually when applicable. Specific itemized charges are not provided in the tuition schedule.

Refund information
- The tuition and fee guideline does not provide a general tuition refund schedule in the published document; tuition and miscellaneous fees are presented as semester amounts. Textbook orders placed through the school-designated vendor are explicitly non‑refundable/non‑cancellable. Other refunds (for lunches, activities, vendor items, or special cases) are handled per the school's administrative procedures and vendor terms; no separate, detailed universal refund table for tuition is published in the school's tuition guideline or parent handbook.

Fee payment options
- The school accepts multiple payment channels for school charges: payment at bank counters, ATMs, internet banking, Internet ATM services, internet credit‑card payment (supported by multiple issuing banks), convenience store payments (7‑Eleven, FamilyMart, etc.), and post office payments. These payment methods are listed in the Parent/Student Handbook as available options to families.

Notes and clarifications (factual statement only)
- All fee numbers above are stated in New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) and the tuition guideline specifies amounts on a per‑semester basis.
- Textbook ordering and related payment arrangements follow the vendor invoice and vendor payment instructions; textbook orders placed through the vendor are non‑refundable.
Academics

International Bilingual School at Tainan-Science-Park (IBST) teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 6 to 18.

Curriculum
IBST follows the MOE calendar with a two-semester, 200-day school year and a one-month winter break, and its curriculum aligns with a blend of North American and Taiwan national standards. It is a bilingual program with English instruction from grade 1 to 12 in total immersion, alongside a Mandarin Chinese program for Levels 1-12. Upper grades offer Honors and Advanced Placement tracks, including AP English Literature and Composition, AP Statistics, and AP Economics, with additional AP options in science and arts and access to VHS online courses. Standardized assessments include MAP for grades 2–8, PSAT 8/9 for grade 9, and PSAT-NMSQT for grades 10–11, with an English Language Learner (ELL) program targeted for 2025–26. Graduation for grades 9–12 requires 23 credits across core subjects (Chinese, English, Social Studies, Math, Science) plus PE and electives, four years of secondary schooling, attendance requirements, and associated awards guidelines for cohorts in G6, G9, and G12.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
IBST's Student Support Team (SST) fosters students' academic, social, and emotional growth, with a Disciplinarian, Guidance Teachers, a Special Education Teacher, a Guidance Curriculum Teacher, and a College Counselor delivering a structured guidance curriculum and embedding Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) across classrooms.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Special Education Services provide IEP-based support for students who qualify after professional evaluation, including curriculum modifications, assessment accommodations, social skills training, and therapy (speech/occupational); ADHD, learning disabilities, language difficulties, and autism are cited as example needs, with generally integrated classroom support rather than a dedicated SEN resource.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
An ESL program exists within Academic Affairs, and the School Profile states IBST offers an all-English program with Mandarin as a mandatory second language.

Mental Wellbeing
School Counseling is provided by professional counselors or on-campus psychologists; counseling is confidential except in cases of mandatory reporting, and sessions are typically held weekly with scheduling arranged to minimize impact on academics, in collaboration with parents and teachers.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is supported through confidential counseling practices and mandatory reporting where required, with information shared only among directly involved staff, and counseling not affecting academic records or future admissions.
Parent Experience

History
IBST traces its origins to the National Nanke International Experimental High School (NNKIEH) at the Southern Taiwan Science Park, established to serve the children of Science Park employees and overseas-high-tech professionals. The Bilingual Department was launched around 2005–2006, adopting California standards and forming an interim office in 2006 as part of NNKIEH's four-department structure. Dr. Hsu-Chang Tai served as the founding principal beginning in July 2006, and NanKe Elementary School and NanKe Junior High School joined NNKIEH in August 2006, creating a K–12 framework within the school. In 2012 the Bilingual Department was officially renamed the International Bilingual School at Tainan‑Science‑Park (IBST) and began pursuing Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation, with an initial site visit in 2012 and candidacy granted in 2013. IBST has since achieved six‑year WASC accreditations in 2016 and 2022, with mid‑cycle visits conducted in 2019 and 2025.

Community
IBST serves an international community at the Southern Taiwan Science Park, guided by a mission to nurture collaborative, creative, globally minded citizens who think critically and communicate effectively. The school's Introduction and Mission emphasize serving bilingual needs in a multicultural, parent‑partnered environment. Student life includes G7–G12 Friday in‑school clubs, the IBST MUN Club, the IBST Debate Club, the Nanke Interact Club, and a broad sports program. The school hosts regular community and cultural events, including annual Christmas celebrations and a Sports Day, and has organized events such as the Nanke Invitational Forensics Tournament (NIFTy) since 2011.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
IBST maintains a formal Parent/Student Handbook that outlines how parents participate in school life and communications with staff. The handbook specifies parent-facing practices such as New Student/Parent Orientation, Parent-Teacher Conferences, and a designated Parent's Day within the school calendar. The governance structure assigns roles in the Student Affairs and Disciplinary sections to coordinate parent involvement, field trips, and school events through the Activities Coordinator and other posts. The Interact Club is coordinated by an Interact Coordinator who leads service initiatives and liaises with community partners, including the Nanke Rotary Club. Parents are included in college planning processes through MAP Growth Assessments and the College Counselor, with related information sessions and conferences. The handbook also describes ongoing channels for parent communications and participation in after‑school clubs and school activities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
IBST is the International Bilingual School at Tainan-Science-Park, the bilingual department of National Nanke International Experimental High School located in the Southern Taiwan Science Park in Tainan. It serves Grades 1–12 and follows a Western-style, college-preparatory program. The English program provides total immersion from Grade 1 through Grade 12, with Mandarin as a required language component.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Co-curricular activities include school teams: Wind Band; FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC); FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). After-School Clubs include Soccer, Volleyball, Arts DIY, Debate, and 3D Printing. Friday Clubs include 3D Printing, Badminton, Basketball, Drawing, Korean, Music, Science, and Sign. Language-related student organizations include Interact Club and the Student Council.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
IBST offers regular academic and STEM-focused clubs as part of its student-life program. Regular clubs include Science and 3D-Printing and Design, along with Chess, with activities housed in the campus Science Lab and related facilities. The school also supports academically oriented clubs such as Model United Nations (MUN) and Debate, which emphasize research, public speaking, and policy analysis. Club governance and formation follow the IBST Student Club Implementation Guidelines, with a structured process and evaluation.

Arts & Creative
Arts-oriented activities are available through Drawing Club and Music Club. Drawing Club provides a space for artists to share work and learn techniques. Music Club focuses on exploring musical styles and developing singing and instrument skills in a supportive environment. The in-school club program is subject to variation by year.

Cultural & Language
Korean Club promotes Korean language and culture through interactive activities. Sign Language Club teaches sign language and practical communication skills. Language and culture options are part of the Friday In-School Club program, which may vary by year.

Social & Hobbies
A range of sport and recreational clubs are offered, including a Soccer Club for younger students and futsal/volleyball for older students. Basketball, Badminton, and Chess provide additional recreational outlets during the Friday in-school club time. Language and culture clubs like Korean Club and Sign Language Club supplement social activities. Clubs occur during after-school hours and during Friday club time as part of IBST's program.

Community & Service
Nanke Interact Club is a student-led community-service organization for G7–G12, linked to the District 3470 Nanke Rotary. Members participate in service projects, tutoring, and volunteer activities, and can earn Interact credit for hours served. The club runs Thursday tutoring and summer/winter camps teaching English, arts, music, and sports. Leadership shifts occur through annual elections for President and Vice-President with advisory oversight.

Leadership & Professional
Interact provides leadership development through student leadership roles, with annual elections for president and other offices. Club officers plan activities, manage finances, and coordinate communications with the Rotary club. The IBST MUN Club fosters research, teamwork, and public speaking through conferences. The school's Club Implementation Guidelines set out formation, supervision, and evaluation processes for clubs.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
IBST runs organized sports teams, including Soccer for younger students and Futsal/Volleyball for older students, with a detailed yearly plan and Sports Day participation. Friday club time and after-school sessions support physical activity and teamwork, including Basketball, Badminton, and other sports. A focus on fitness and well-being is reinforced through physical education and organized sports activities.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught at IBST are English and Mandarin Chinese as the core instructional languages in a bilingual program. The English program provides total-immersion instruction from Grade 1–12 with college-preparatory aims and AP options. Mandarin Chinese is an intensive total-immersion program for Levels 1–12 with regular and honors tracks, including a Chinese Honors Program. Non-native English speakers receive language support through the ELL program.

Bilingual Teaching
IBST offers a bilingual curriculum in English and Mandarin. English instruction is taught by native speakers and runs as a total-immersion program from grade 1 through grade 12, with a college-preparatory, literature-based upper school and AP options. Mandarin Chinese is taught by native speakers in an intensive total-immersion program for Levels 1–12, with regular and honors tracks and textbooks aligned to local schools. The school provides a Chinese Honors Program (2024) and an English Language Arts Honors/AP pathway.

Immersion Programs
IBST's English program is delivered through total immersion from Grade 1 to 12, taught by native speakers. The Mandarin Chinese program is an intensive total-immersion track for Levels 1–12, with options for regular or honors study. AP offerings and honors opportunities supplement both language tracks, including courses such as AP English Literature and Composition and AP Sciences. The school also supports non-native English speakers through an English Language Learner (ELL) program.
Reputation

Awards
2025 NNKEH NIFTy Winners: IBST earned top recognitions at the National Forensics Tournament (NIFTy). Specifically, Best Speaker was awarded to a IBST student (Benson), and IBST participated among top teams with other schools; the event's official winner list includes IBST among the awardees.

Accreditations
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accreditation. WASC is the Accrediting Commission for Schools, part of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and its accreditation process emphasizes a school's focus on student learning, clear schoolwide goals, and ongoing external/internal evaluation for continuous improvement. IBST's WASC status confirms public recognition of its college-preparatory program and transcript integrity, and it facilitates transfer of credits to other English-speaking schools. The school completed an initial WASC visit in 2013 (candidacy), went through a self-study and full review in 2016, and received a six-year accreditation; a follow-up/review cycle occurred through 2019 and again in 2022, with the school being fully accredited by WASC for another six years and a mid-cycle visit in 2025. See the WASC Accreditation page for the sequence and current status; the 2022 self-study confirms “IBST is fully accredited by WASC for another 6 years,” and the 2025 mid-cycle notes ongoing progress.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Admissions eligibility and classification. Applicants must meet at least one of the eligibility categories defined in the regulations for the Science Park bilingual schools. Categories include: children of employees of resident Science Park units (with conditions related to nationality, prior residence abroad, and higher degree qualifications), children of foreign employees, children of employees dispatched abroad, and other cases such as siblings of current IBST students or foreign professionals meeting specified criteria. In addition, first-year applicants must be at least six years old by September 1. The “foreign residence” rule generally restricts annual stays outside the ROC to no more than three months per year. 2. Application windows and admission testing. For the first semester, the first round runs from April 30 to June 10, 2026, with the admission assessment on June 17, 2026. The second round runs from July 6 to August 11, 2026, with the admission assessment on August 11, 2026. For the second semester, applications open from November 30 to January 6. Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria in the first item may also arrange admission testing through the school's bilingual office. 3. Required documents and fee. Eligible applicants must submit the application form, copies of passports for foreign applicants, and the student's up-to-date academic records. Other required items include proof of entry/exit dates, birth certificates or guardianship documents, a letter from the applicant's current employer (with proof of employment), and, for international applicants, copies of foreign residence permits. A qualification screening fee of 200 Taiwan dollars is charged; the fee is nonrefundable if the applicant does not pass the qualification screening. 4. Language entrance testing and admission. Once an applicant qualifies under the eligibility rules, they must pass the school's language entrance test to receive an admission qualification. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available seats in a grade level, admissions are decided by a priority sequence, and when candidates at the same sequence exceed seats, a lottery is used to determine who is admitted. 5. Priority sequencing for oversubscription and lottery. The priority order prioritizes certain groups (e.g., children of resident Science Park employees with qualifying credentials) before other eligible applicants; after applying the priority order, if the volume still exceeds seats, a lottery determines admission for those tied in the same sequence. 6. Expansion of eligibility to fill seats. If a grade level has not reached 80% of its authorized enrollment after applying the above rules, the school may admit additional applicants under expanded eligibility categories to fill the remaining seats. 7. Post-admission steps. Those admitted are notified of acceptance and proceed to enrollment formalities; after acceptance, families complete enrollment tasks (textbook ordering, after-school club enrollment, field trip consent forms, and other items) and receive information for the first day of school. 8. Example of actual admissions outcomes. The school posts admission results and lists admitted students; an official notification is sent to parents confirming enrollment. 9. Language of instruction and program context. IBST operates as the Bilingual Department of NNKI EH in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, serving the English-speaking community with an American college-preparatory orientation; the program is described as bilingual, with English-language instruction central to IBST in support of its international population. 10. Contacts for admissions questions. For further information regarding admission, contact the IBST registrar by phone or email. 11. References to formal documents and guidelines. The eligibility and admissions process are governed by the Regulation Governing the Admission of Students to Bilingual Departments of Schools or Bilingual Schools at Science Parks and the related IBST guidelines and application forms.

Scholarships
IBST participates in at least one scholarship program connected to an external foundation. The Cardiac Children's Foundation offers a scholarship for IBST students, and details are provided by the foundation's program (the IBST listing directs interested families to the foundation's site for specifics). In 2024, IBST announced the Cardiac Children's Foundation scholarship, with additional details available from the foundation's website. The school's tuition policies govern general fee collection and refund terms, while the scholarship program is described separately through the foundation.

Waitlist
There is no traditional waitlist. When the number of applicants exceeds the available seats for a grade level, admissions are allocated in a defined priority order. If applicants tied in the same sequence exceed seats, a lottery determines admission. If seats remain after applying the priority order, the school may broaden eligibility to fill up to 80% of capacity through expansion rules. This approach effectively serves as a lottery-based selection rather than a standing waitlist.
School Events
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