| Taipei American School |
Article Index for Taipei |
Articles about Taipei American School |
Website Links For Taipei |
Information AboutTaipei American School |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT TAIPEI AMERICAN SCHOOL | |
| international schools | |
| schools in taiwan | |
| international baccalaureate schools | |
|
Taipei American School
Taipei American School (; abbreviation TAS) is a Private International School with a largely American -based curriculum located in Tianmu (T'ien-mu), Shilin District (Shih-lin), Taipei City . Founded in 1949 , the school served as a U.S, Department Of Defense contract school during the U.S. military presence in Taiwan from the 1950 s to 1970 s. Upon the termination of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Republic Of China (ROC) in 1979, TAS was reorganized into a Private International School . Today, TAS is the largest international school in Taiwan, however each year the school receives interest from more prospective students than it has room for. Most graduates of TAS go on to attend schools in North America , though some choose to attend schools in other countries. The current student body is primarily made up of children of expatriate business people and other holders of non- ROC passports, as required by ROC law. HISTORY The first meeting of Taipei American School took place on September 26 , 1949 in the basement of Presbyterian Theological Seminary at 113 Zhongshan North Road, Section 2 with 8 students. This marked the beginning of the “missionary era,” where Chinese and American medical missionaries were instrumental in founding TAS and providing it with students. The first class of students included Americans, Europeans, and Chinese students. By 1951 , the influx of missionaries and businesspeople escaping from Mainland China caused enrollment to grow to 120 students. By 1952, TAS was forced to relocate to 26 Nong'an East Road to provide enough space for the growing student population. In 1953 , the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group was established in Taiwan. This brought to the island a large number of U.S. military personnel. Along with these military personnel came their families, including a large number of children needing an American-style education. At time, TAS represented the "only game in town" and became the natural place of learning for the children of the U.S. military personnel. In the summer of 1953, TAS constructed a much larger campus at Chang'an East Road, Section 2, Lane 153. This marked the beginning of the "military era". In 1956 , TAS graduated its first class of 14 seniors. By then, the Chang'an campus had approximately 50 faculty members and 1,000 students. In 1957 , Mr. Wayne Nesbitt served as the first superintendent of the school. In 1959 , TAS purchased a 22 acre (89,000 m²) site in Shilin for a new campus. In March 1960, the Kindergarten and lower school moved into a 36 classroom 5-wing complex on the site. The upper school remained at the Chang'an campus until 1967, when the last upper facilities was completed. By 1969 , TAS enrollment reached its highest point ever with nearly 3000 students. The 1970 to 1977 period has been termed the "labor-intensive industries era." Taiwan's transforming Economy brought foreign businessmen and Overseas Chinese into the local economy, setting the stage for TAS's later transformation even as enrollment shrank dramatically as U.S. military pulled out of Taiwan. By the late seventies, student enrollment dropped to approximately 650 to 700 students. However, within a few years enrollment started to increased again as overseas Chinese with foreign passports arrived in Taiwan demanding first-class American educational facilities for their children. The early eighties marked the start of the "Chinese-American era," where the majority of students had Chinese last names but U.S. passports. On September 2 , 1989 , TAS officially relocated to its present campus in Tianmu, at 800 Zhongshan (Chung-shan) North Road, Section 6. The 50th Anniversary of Taipei American School was celebrated in 1999 . As part of this celebration, a book documenting the history of the school was written by TAS parent Richard R. Vuylsteke , executive director of the American Chamber Of Commerce In Taipei . CAMPUS The current 62,192 square meter campus, completed in 1989, consists of a four story complex with a total floor space of 44,000 square meters. The campus contains the following facilities:
The independently operated Taipei Youth Program Association (TYPA) is located at TAS and uses the campus facilities. The school is located directly across the street from Taipei Japanese School. ORGANIZATION STUDENT BODY The combined KA-12 school enrollment is approximately 2200. Originally any U.S. citizen was guaranteed space at TAS; however current demand for admissions far exceeds the administration's target student population level. The school is currently working with a consultant to develop an expansion plan to accommodate more students. Because of the excess demand, potential students are ranked based on the student's and their parents' national origin with priority given to US citizens. In addition, high English proficiency is a requirement for admission. Taiwan abides by the Foreign Schools Law, which requires all international schools to only admit students who hold non-ROC passports. In compliance with the law, TAS verifies that each student has a non-ROC passport during the initial application process and during re-registration each spring. As of 2004 , approximately 70% of the students hold U.S. passports. While the tuition is high relative to per capita income in Taiwan, tuition at TAS is in the 25th percentile when compared to other international schools throughout the east Asia region. ACADEMICS is now located in the main Lobby, after stints at other locations on campus.]] The Upper School offers 19 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including Art History , Computer Science , Environmental Science , and Music Theory . Additionally, the school also offers International Baccalaureate (IB) programs for those seeking an IB diploma, providing over 20 IB course offerings. TRADITIONS PTA Food Fair and Spring Fair The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Food Fair is an annual community-wide event held in late October. The event features an international cast of food reflecting diverse international community in Taipei. The PTA also sponsors an annual Spring Fair. Haunted House With the aim of boosting morale and bonding peers, a haunted house is built by the junior class each Food Fair in the faculty dining room (FDR). Spirit Week The Upper School and Middle School individually hold an annual week-long event known as Spirit Week, designed to promote enthusiasm and spirit for TAS students. Past events have included pajama day, disco fever day, formal day, superhero/cartoon day, and competitive games amongst the grades. Field Day Also designed with the goal of promoting enthusiasm, Field Day is a day on which Upper School students are excused from all classes to enjoy a day of fun and games. Grades compete against each other in numerous games, as well as dance performance known as Airband. NOTABLE TAS STUDENTS, ALUMNI, AND FACULTY MEMBERS Students
Alumni
Faculty
SPORTS AND ORGANIZATIONS The Upper School sports teams and groups competes under the mascot of the tiger with members of Interscholastic Association Of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) and local Chinese schools, clubs, and universities. TAS varsity teams includes Badminton , Rugby , Softball , Basketball , Tennis , Swimming , Cross Country Running , Track And Field , Soccer , and Volleyball . Non-athletic groups that participate in events with other IASAS include Dance , Debate , Drama , Forensics (individual events), Model United Nations , Leadership , Art , and Music teams. See also: Taipei American School Student Organizations ACCREDITATION Taipei American School is accredited by the Western Association Of Schools And Colleges (WASC). A school prepares for WASC accreditation by completing a self-study involving all stake holders, assuring that they have addressed all areas for follow-up noted in the previous report and mid-term visit, and creating a plan for moving forward. WASC appoints a visiting committee made up of current adminstrators and teachers from comparable schools to visit. Prior to the visit, committee members review previous reports and the current self-study, and begin writing the report. During the visit, committee members meet with a representative sampling of constituents (students, parents, faculty, administrators, and board members), as well as visit classes and examine evidence the school has compiled. At the end of the week-long visit, the committee presents the final report at a meeting to which all are invited. The committee also recommends an accreditation term to WASC but the recommendation is confidential and not shared with the school. WASC reviews the report and the recommendation, and determines the term of accreditation, if any. Approximately three months after the visit the school is notified of the official WASC decision. The WASC process is formally titled “Focus on Learning” with detailed requirements for each step of the accreditation process. {Link without Title} The last accreditation for TAS from WASC was in 2000 and given for the maximum six year term. In March of 2006 a committee of administrators from international and public schools arrived for the current accreditation visit. While their report noted the good reputation of the school, many accomplishments, and a “very fine teaching faculty, supportive parents who are actively involved in the school, and a hardworking and highly committed administration and Board of Directors,” the report also brought forth some issues. In particular, they determined there was conflict within the school that, while it had not yet affected student learning, would do so if not resolved. They noted that the conflict “embroiled the faculty, administration, and the Board of Directors,” that it was complex, but that it was not a visiting committee’s responsibility to “adjudicate disputes, ascribe blame or sit in judgment.” In the opening remarks the head of the visiting committee described TAS as a school in crisis, but also a school with opportunity: :: ''When conflict erupts in very good schools, it often quickly results in serious and widespread turmoil. The reason for this is straight forward. In good schools, the stakeholders often care passionately about the school and are quick to man the proverbial barricades in order to protect the institution from what they perceptive as damage. Conflict can be easily contained in mediocre schools. People don’t care about them. But that is not the case here at TAS where the commitment is passionate and the loyalty to the school is high in all quarters.'' :: ''As many of you will be aware the Chinese symbol for “crisis” is a juxtaposition of the characters for danger and “crucial moment” which we in the West have translated as “opportunity”. The TAS Community is facing danger, but you also have the opportunity of healing. And that opportunity, if it is realized, will come out of a delicate redirection and realignment of the passionate TAS loyalty that exists amongst stakeholders.'' A WASC report for private schools is shared within a school community but it is considered a confidential document and only the school can decide to make it public. AFFILIATIONS TAS is accredited with the Western Association Of Schools And Colleges (WASC). As a member of Interscholastic Association Of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS), TAS has high school competitive sports and cultural exchanges with the following Southeast Asian international schools:
CONTROVERSY
SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
SOURCES |
|
|