Kaohsiung American School

Kaohsiung American School
高雄美國學校
Location
No. 35 Sheng Li Road, Zuo-Ying District
Kaohsiung
Taiwan
Information
Type Private International School
Established 1989
Superintendent Dr. Thomas Farrell
Elementary Principal Mr. Gerard Dery
Secondary Principal Mrs. Dawn Rock
Enrollment 550 students
Color(s) Red, Blue and White
Mascot Dragons
Tuition Varies
Website www.kas.kh.edu.tw

The Kaohsiung American School (KAS; Chinese: 高雄美國學校; pinyin: Gāoxióng Mĕiguó Xuéxiào) is a private, pre-K through grade 12 college preparatory school located in Zuoying District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.[1] The school was established in 1989 and it is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The current superintendent is Dr. Thomas Farrell. The school has been accredited to teach the IB Diploma Programme since August 2010.

History

Kaohsiung American School was established in 1989 as an elementary school serving the needs of local and expatriate families with children. The first school was located in a series of apartments in the Chang Gung Hospital compound.

In 1997, KAS began to offer independent high school courses and in 1999, KAS moved into shared lease facilities in a Kaohsiung City elementary school. From January, 2003, Kaohsiung American School became the sole occupiers of a school facility, leased for 9 years from the Kaohsiung City government.

Academics

Elementary Division

The Kaohsiung American School's elementary division, from Pre-K2 (4 years old) to grade six, allows students to receive classes from specialists each week in Art, Music and Physical Education. Students in grades 4-6 also have a weekly class in Information Technology. In addition, students receive Chinese language for 220 minutes a week beginning in grade 1. ELL (English language learning) is provided for students in grades 1-6 who require additional support in English language and is taught by a qualified specialist. Library classes are scheduled either weekly or on a flexible schedule with the Library specialist. The current Elementary principal is Mr. Gerard Dery.

Middle School

Students who require it can be given additional support in English at Middle School level, subject to the payment of additional fees. Physical Education is mandatory.

High School

Students who require it can also be given additional support in English at High School level, subject to the payment of additional fees. Most of the high school students who recently enrolled into KAS have been placed in for English support.

1:1 Environment

Students from grades 6 through 12 now evolve in a 1:1 environment. Each student brings her or his own laptop to class. Technology throughout campus is integrated under the supervision of the director of Learning Design: Victor Boulanger.

AP (Advanced Placement)

The school replaced AP courses with the International Baccalaureate.

IB (International Baccalaureate)

KAS was authorized to offer several IB courses and the IB Diploma Programme beginning in August 2010. The decision to offer the IB Diploma was to reflect the school's "belief" that the program offers the best opportunities for the students’ learning and for their university preparation. Students may choose to pursue the Diploma or individual certificates, or they may choose to enroll in courses for regular credit only.[2]

Community service

"In order to qualify for community service, the student must engage in an activity that further develops his/her moral and ethical character by giving service to others."

Recognizing that school is more than an accumulation of credits and extra-curricular activities, KAS has implemented a Community Services Graduation Requirement. In order to qualify the KAS Community Service Graduation Requirement, student must have a minimum of forty (40) community service hours during their four years at KAS. If a student enrolls during the four years of KAS, the number of service hours is determined by the number of years left for high school graduation.

Extra-Curricular activities

KAS has many student-led extra-curricular activities and clubs. There is a wide variety of extra-curricular activities including athletics, music, drama, Model United Nations, National Honor Society, Student Council and other cultural-promoting groups, such as Japanese Club.

This is a list of most of the extra-curricular activities in KAS:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Home page. Kaohsiung American School. Retrieved on April 10, 2015. "35 Sheng Li Road | Zuoying District (813) Kaohsiung City Taiwan"
  2. ↑ Graña, Alvaro. "IB Diploma Program". Kaohsiung American School. Retrieved 4 September 2012.

External links

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Coordinates: 22°40′36″N 120°17′36″E / 22.6766°N 120.2933°E