Curriculum

Taiwan Adventist International School follows the Adventist education model, offering a six-year secondary program from Grade 7 to Grade 12. In Grades 7 and 8, students engage in a broad-based general education curriculum following a credit-hour system. From Grade 9 onward, students transition to an individualized course selection model, allowing them to tailor their learning based on academic interests and abilities. This personalized approach ensures that students complete required core and elective courses while developing essential skills for higher education and future careers. Upon meeting all graduation requirements, students receive certification from recognized accrediting bodies, validating their academic achievements. English serves as the primary language of TAIS, with select courses incorporating Chinese as supplementary support. Taiwan Adventist International School follows the standard 180-day American academic year. The calendar includes a Christmas and Spring Break holiday, as found in the American system. There are two semesters of 18 weeks each.

Students in the 7th to 9th grades are placed in the grade level according to their age and their previous grade successfully completed. However, if parents need their children to complete a grade level in “advancement due to age restrictions or other mitigating circumstances,” they may take the Stanford test equivalent to a grade level by an extra charging test fee. It is a requirement that 7th graders complete the 6th grade and 8th graders complete the 7th grade, both receiving a certificate of completion before advancing to the next grade level. Please note that TAIS 8th graders in the pull-out ELL program(Below CEFR B1) graduate into the TAIS high school ELL program.

【Taiwan School Credit Transfer and Course Placement】 Students transferring from a Taiwan education system school into Grades 7–8 at Taiwan Adventist International School (TAIS) must provide an official transcript translated into English as part of the admission process. Please note that English course credits earned at a Taiwan middle or high school cannot be transferred or applied toward credits required by Griggs International Academy (G.I.A.). At TAIS, the primary language of instruction is English. Chinese is used only as a supplementary language or for selected courses where appropriate. The TAIS curriculum is divided into*Junior High (Grades 7–8) and High School (Grades 9–12) programs. 【Junior High Program (Grades 7–8)】 Students are placed in appropriate instructional materials and courses based on their English proficiency at the time of admission.

The primary language of instruction at Taiwan Adventist International School (TAIS) is English. Chinese is used only as a supplementary language or as the language of instruction for selected courses where appropriate.
Grade 9 Placement and Advancement Grade 9 placement is generally based on the student’s age and successful completion of the previous grade level. However, when parents believe their child may be ready to advance academically due to age or exceptional academic ability, they may apply for an academic advancement assessment (Stanford Achievement Test) corresponding to the student’s current grade level. Based on the assessment results and the school’s academic evaluation, students may be considered for grade advancement. English Language Learners (ELL) Grade 8 students enrolled in TAIS’s English Language Learner (ELL) program who have not yet reached the CEFR B1 proficiency level required for the regular academic-credit courses will continue into the High School ELL program. This allows students to strengthen their academic English skills and establish the language foundation necessary to successfully participate in high school-level credit-bearing courses.

Students entering Grade 9 must have successfully completed the TAIS Grade 8 curriculum or the equivalent Grade 8 (second year of junior high) curriculum at another school before enrolling in Grade 9 courses. For students entering Grades 9–12, grade placement and course scheduling are determined based on the grades and credits documented on the student’s official transcript. The following guidelines apply:
● 0–6 credits: Grade 9
● 6–12 credits: Grade 10
● 12–17 credits: Grade 11, with at least one completed credit-bearing course in English Language Arts
● 18 or more credits: Grade 12, with at least two completed credit-bearing courses in English Language Arts

** For upper-grade transfer students who have accumulated enough credits to meet graduation application requirements, at least six U.S. curriculum credits must have been earned after enrolling at TAIS.

** Students entering Grade 11 must have completed at least English I, English II, U.S. History, and Biology to be eligible for Grade 12 placement.

【Taiwan School Credit Transfer and Course Recognition】
Students transferring from a Taiwan education system school into Grades 9–12 at Taiwan Adventist International School (TAIS) must provide an official transcript translated into English as part of the admission process. The transcript must include the courses completed, credits earned, and instructional hours completed at the student’s previous school. This information will be reviewed to determine which credits may be recognized toward the student’s Griggs International Academy (G.I.A.) graduation requirements. Please note that English course credits earned through Taiwan’s regular secondary school system cannot be transferred or applied toward any G.I.A. course credit requirement.

At TAIS, the primary language of instruction is English. Chinese is used only as a supplementary language or as the language of instruction for selected courses where appropriate.

High School Course (Grades 9–12)

* AP courses are also offered for students with outstanding academic abilities; please refer to the "Advanced AP, Dual credit Courses" section.

TAIS is an officially registered school approved by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and the Nantou County Education Department. Our curriculum is accredited through Griggs International Academy (GIA) in the United States. Students enrolled at TAIS will hold both Taiwan and U.S. student status. The academic system is divided into Taiwan Student Status and U.S. Student Status, explained as follows:
【Taiwan Student Status】
In accordance with Taiwan Ministry of Education regulations, Grades 7–9 are part of compulsory education. Following the Experimental Education Act, TAIS partners with an affiliated junior high school to process student enrollment. When students complete the three years of compulsory junior high education and meet graduation requirements, they will be awarded an official junior high school diploma from our partner school. Students who do not meet graduation requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion instead.

Grades 10–12 Under Taiwan’s 12-Year Basic Education system, Grades 10–12 are part of non-compulsory education. Student registration will be processed in cooperation with the Nantou County Education Department. Students who have studied at TAIS for at least 1.5 years, or a full 3 years, and meet the following graduation requirements may apply for the official Certificate of Study from an Experimental Education Institution (equivalent to a Taiwan high school completion certificate). This certificate can be used for higher education applications in Taiwan or abroad:

• English proficiency at CEFR B2 or higher
• Completion of all required high school core courses
• Participation in and completion of TOEFL or IELTS
• Either 3 years of study at TAIS
• At least 1.5 years at TAIS and 1.5 years at another high school in Taiwan

* Note: Students who have studied at TAIS for less than 1.5 years will be issued a Certificate of Enrollment instead, if needed for further studies in Taiwan.

【U.S. Studnet Statue】
TAIS follows the academic structure of Griggs International Academy (GIA) in the United States. Grades 7–8 are considered Junior High School. Upon completing all subject requirements for Grades 7 and 8, students may request an official transcript to apply for direct admission to TAIS Senior High or for transfer to an overseas high school.

Grades 9–12 are considered Senior High School. Courses are based on a credit-hour system, with individualized schedules tailored to each student’s future academic plans. Grade 12 students who meet the graduation requirements may apply for one of the following diplomas issued by GIA to proceed with overseas university applications:
 

** Note: Students may apply for either the Standard Diploma or the College Preparation Diploma.