Kaohsiung American School
Private international school in Zuoying, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kaohsiung American School (KAS; Chinese: 高雄美國學校; Pinyin: Gāoxióng Měiguó Xuéxiào) is a private, non-profit, Pre-K through 12th-grade international school in the Zuoying District of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Established in 1989, it is an IB World School and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)[1] and supported by the US Department of State through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
| Kaohsiung American School | |
|---|---|
高雄美國學校 | |
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| Location | |
 | |
22.678°N 120.298°E | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private International School |
| Motto | Balanced, Independent, Global (BIG) |
| Established | 1989 |
Head of School | Dr. Paul Ducharme |
| Enrollment | 776 (Aug 2026) |
| Colors | Red, Blue, and White |
| Mascot | Dragons |
| Accreditation | WASC |
| Website | www |
Academics
KAS provides a college preparatory curriculum based on American standards, including Common Core for English, Project AERO Standards for Math and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).[2]
The school is authorized by the International Baccalaureate (IB) to offer two programs:
- IB Middle Years Programme (MYP): For students in grades 6 through 10 (authorized in 2015).
- IB Diploma Programme (DP): For students in grades 11 and 12 (authorized in 2010).[3]
Future Leaders program
Launched in 2020, the Future Leaders Program is an internship initiative for high school students. KAS partners with local organizations — including the Shoushan Zoo, Brogent Technologies, and the Kaohsiung Sports Development Bureau — to provide students with vocational experience and professional mentorship.[4] These internships allow students to explore career interests and develop professional skills through hands-on experiences, with each placement offering up to 40 hours of engagement.
Facilities
The current campus, near Lotus Pond, opened in 2015. The facility was designed by MAYU Architects and holds a LEED Silver certification for its environmentally sustainable "green school" design,[5] and the Athletics complex carries a Gold rating.[6]
Recent facility upgrades include:
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Playscape: A purpose-built outdoor space with an in-ground trampoline, rock climbing wall, and sensory play stations.[7]
Elementary Makerspace: A dedicated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) lab for hands-on learning.
