Dominican International School Taipei

A small Catholic school in Dazhi run by Dominican Sisters since 1957, modified American curriculum with AP, well regarded by families who want a faith-anchored alternative to the big secular schools.

DIS sits on Tah Chih Street in Dazhi, Zhongshan District, with around 1,100 students from pre-K to grade 12 and WASC accreditation. The curriculum is modified American with religious studies woven in, and most leavers head to North American universities. The school is owned and run by the Religious Missionaries of St Dominic, which sets the tone of the place.

Families who choose DIS over TAS or TES tend to value the smaller scale, the close-knit community feel and the Catholic ethos. Parent comments describe caring teachers and a warm campus, with the standard caveat that some staff are clearly there short term. It is not a school for families seeking a deep co-curricular bench or top-tier IB results, but it is a credible, lower-fee alternative for families wanting an English-medium American track in a Catholic setting.

• DIS is a small Catholic school run by the Dominican Sisters in the Tianmu/Da Zhi area of Taipei. WASC accredited. American curriculum with AP options. Smaller and lower-fee than the bigger Taipei internationals (Taipei American, TES, TAS).
• Tone of feedback is consistently warm. Reviewers describe a real sense of community, a smaller intimate campus and welcoming atmosphere. One reviewer said it was "one of the friendliest places I've ever been to."
• The most detailed account available is a 2023 mid-positive review from a teacher. The reviewer described nuns in administration as direct but honest, said there was no pressure to align teaching to Catholic doctrine and that academic decisions were left to departments. The student body was described as small, kind, and largely free of cliques.
• The same reviewer flagged that DIS has a lower budget and salary than other major Taipei internationals, which means fewer resources for some clubs and departments. Families weighing DIS against TAS, TES or Taipei American School should expect a less lavish co-curricular range.
• Curriculum includes mandatory Religious Studies and D'TORCH values (Truthful, Organised, Reflective, Courageous, Helpful), but reviewers say participation in religious activity is light-touch for non-Catholic staff and pupils.
• One parent reviewer noted: "Good school high quality, but some teachers are here for money," suggesting some teacher quality variance.