Acton Academy, Taipei
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$13K
Curriculum: American
Age Range: 6-14
Students: ~60
Location: Beitou, Taipei
Updated April 2026
In Brief
If you want the most radically different educational experience in Taipei - no grades, no homework, fully self-directed - Acton is genuinely that. It's not a fit for every child, and the trial week process is there for a reason. Visit first.
Acton Academy Taipei is the furthest from a conventional international school that Taipei's market offers. No grades, no homework, no tests. Students - called 'eagles' in Acton's language - work through self-paced online mastery programmes in core subjects for around 90 minutes a day, then spend the rest of the time on Socratic discussions and hands-on, real-world projects guided by teachers who are called 'guides'. The model is part of the global Acton Academy network, which began in Austin, Texas, and Acton Taipei is approved by the Taipei City Government's Department of Education as an experimental education group.
Two studios run in 2025-26: an elementary studio (Grades 1-6) near Xinbeitou MRT station in Beitou, and a middle school studio (Grades 7-9) a few minutes from Guting MRT station. A high school studio for Grades 10-12 is planned for launch in Fall 2026 in partnership with NuVuX, an innovation-focused education team from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Parent testimonials are consistently positive, particularly about the development of independence and intrinsic motivation in children who previously found conventional school uninspiring.
Acton is not accredited by WASC or Cognia - it is accredited through the International Association of Learner Driven Schools. If your family's plan requires internationally transferable, conventionally accredited qualifications, Acton is not the right fit. The school is also very small (around 60 students), which means it's a tight community - that suits families who want close relationships with their child's school but may feel claustrophobic for children who need a larger social pool. Ask to do the one-week trial before committing.
What parents value
- –Genuine self-directed learning model - students develop independence, self-motivation, and project skills in ways that conventional schools rarely achieve. Parent testimonials are consistently strong on this point.
- –Near-central locations: elementary near Xinbeitou MRT (Beitou), middle school near Guting MRT. Good public transport access for much of Taipei.
- –Tuition NT$412,000/year (2024-25) is among the lowest for international-standard education in Taipei. Non-profit, inclusive admissions - both Taiwan and foreign passports accepted.
Points of consideration
- –Not WASC or Cognia accredited. If your child may transfer to a conventional international school, check in advance that progress will be recognised and that there are no gaps in core subjects.
- –No grades, no standardised testing, no homework. This is the school's philosophy, not a gap - but it requires genuine buy-in from parents and children. It is not a halfway house between conventional and progressive education.
- –Very small (~60 students). Limited social pool and no large-school sports, arts, or co-curricular infrastructure. The high school programme is not yet running; families with secondary-age children should contact the school about the 2026 launch.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Grades 1-6 (Elementary Studio) | 6 | NaN |
| Grades 7-9 (Middle School Studio) | 12 | NaN |
Fees converted from TWD. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Trial Week Fee (credited to first semester) | NaN |
Academic Results
Acton uses self-paced, adaptive online programmes for core skills (mathematics, vocabulary, spelling, grammar) for approximately 90 minutes daily. The rest of the day is structured around Socratic discussions and project-based 'quests' - hands-on challenges with real-world themes that develop critical thinking and collaboration.
The school does not assign grades or give homework. Progress is tracked through mastery badges and portfolio work rather than traditional assessment. Acton Taipei has a partnership with NuVuX (Cambridge, MA) for innovation-focused project work from 2025-26.
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: Open-plan studios with flexible seating · Maker space · Kitchen · Recording room · Small library
The elementary campus near Xinbeitou MRT has an open-plan studio designed to feel like a co-working space rather than a classroom. Students eat lunch and have recess at a nearby public playground. The middle school campus near Guting MRT provides access to an indoor gym and is close to university research labs for apprenticeship opportunities.
There are no traditional sports teams or large co-curricular programmes. Activity is embedded in the project-based learning model itself. Ask the school about specific project themes and the NuVuX partnership when you visit.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
- Accredited by the International Association of Learner Driven Schools (IALDS)
- Approved by the Taipei City Government Department of Education as an experimental education group
Accreditations
- IALDS
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Acton Taipei is a small, intentionally multicultural community of around 60 students. Both Taiwanese citizens and foreign passport holders are welcome; students need a valid ARC if they are not Taiwanese nationals.
The studio model is multi-age: elementary (Grades 1-6) and middle school (Grades 7-9) run separately, but within each studio, students of different ages work alongside each other, which is central to the school's philosophy.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school at [email protected] for current guide team details.