VIS Experimental High School (VIS)
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$17K
Curriculum: American · Canadian
Age Range: 12-18
Students: ~400
Location: Zhongzheng, Taipei, Taipei
Updated April 2026
In Brief
If you want a genuinely project-based, small-school environment in central Taipei with AP qualifications and strong links to Canadian universities, VIS is worth a serious look. It is new and small, so visit and ask hard questions about long-term accreditation and university recognition before committing.
VIS sits firmly at the progressive end of Taipei's international secondary school market. Founded in 2019, it runs Grades 7-12 from a site on Roosevelt Road near National Taiwan University - one of the most central locations of any international school in the city, near Guting and Taipower Building MRT stations. The school's annual tuition is NT$530,450 flat across all year groups, which puts it in the middle of the Taipei fee range. Canadian university connections are a real point of difference: VIS is the only school in Taiwan with Canadian Immigration CIC partner status and a direct University of Toronto connection.
Project-based learning (PBL) is not a marketing term at VIS - it is the primary pedagogical model. Students work on interdisciplinary projects alongside more traditional AP coursework. The school is a College Board member and can offer AP courses; it is also the first school in Taipei to offer AQA qualifications (the UK exam board used by many secondary schools in England), and it holds British Council Partner School status. The robotics team reached runner-up in the FTC (First Tech Challenge) in 2026, which is a reasonable indicator of the school's applied-learning culture. Class sizes are small and the school is selective enough that places are limited - families mention waitlists.
VIS was founded in 2019, which means it lacks the 15-20 year track record of TAS, TES, or Morrison. The school is accredited as a British Council Partner School and College Board member, but does not hold WASC or Cognia accreditation at the time of writing. For families whose plans may require internationally transferable conventional accreditation, verify recognition carefully before enrolling. The school's small size (~400 students) builds a close community, but limits the breadth of sports teams, large events, and co-curricular infrastructure.
What parents value
- –Roosevelt Road location near Guting MRT - genuinely central Taipei, easy for families living in Da'an, Zhongzheng, or Wenshan districts.
- –Flat fee of NT$530,450 across all year groups (2025-26), making costs predictable. First school in Taipei to offer AQA qualifications alongside AP.
- –Strong Canadian university links - only CIC partner school in Taiwan, with a University of Toronto connection. Alumni have gone to Carnegie Mellon, and recent placements span the US, Canada, Australia, UK, and Japan.
Points of consideration
- –Founded 2019 - limited track record. No WASC or Cognia accreditation listed. Check with your child's likely future schools that VIS credits and qualifications will be recognised before enrolling.
- –Small school (~400 students). Limited social pool, fewer large-school sports and arts infrastructure. Worth visiting to sense whether the community size suits your child.
- –Rented commercial premises (3F and 6F of a building on Roosevelt Road) rather than a purpose-built campus. The environment works for the PBL model but is worth seeing in person.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Grades 7-9 (Junior High) | 12 | NaN |
| Grades 10-12 (Senior High) | 15 | NaN |
Fees converted from TWD. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (one-time) | NaN |
Academic Results
| AP courses | Available - College Board member institution |
| AQA qualifications | First school in Taipei to offer AQA |
| Robotics FTC | Runner-up 2026 |
VIS offers AP courses through its College Board membership and is the first school in Taipei to offer AQA qualifications from the UK exam board. The academic model combines project-based learning as the primary pedagogical approach with AP coursework for students targeting US and Canadian university entry. The school also holds British Council Partner School Global Network membership.
University destinations include Carnegie Mellon University (alumnus Jerry Chen, 2026) and institutions across the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Japan, and Europe. The Canadian pathway is distinctive - VIS is the only school in Taiwan with Canadian Immigration CIC partner status, and the University of Toronto connection offers a direct route for students targeting Canadian higher education.
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: Central Taipei location near Guting MRT · Classrooms on 3F and 6F, Roosevelt Road · Robotics lab
The school is based in commercial premises on Roosevelt Road in Zhongzheng District, close to National Taiwan University. The central location is a genuine practical advantage for families in the Da'an, Zhongzheng, and Wenshan areas - most are within 15-20 minutes by MRT or bus.
Extra-curricular activity at VIS centres on its project-based learning model and team challenges. The robotics team competes nationally and internationally in the FTC (First Tech Challenge), reaching runner-up in 2026. Ask the school about specific clubs and activities when you visit.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
- College Board member institution (AP)
- British Council Partner School Global Network
- First school in Taipei to offer AQA qualifications
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
- College Board
- British Council Partner Network
Student Body
VIS enrols around 400 students across Grades 7-12 (junior high and senior high). The school serves both international families and Taiwanese families choosing an international qualification pathway. Class sizes are small and the school is selective at intake.
The school's central location near NTU attracts families living in Da'an, Zhongzheng, and Wenshan districts, including faculty families from the university area. Both Taiwanese nationals and foreign passport holders are welcome.
Leadership
David H. H. Chen
Chancellor of VIS Experimental High School since its founding in 2019.