Academics

SCHOOL YEAR 2024-2025 ENGLISH TEXTS

Click here for 2024-2025 English Texts

Parents and students may purchase books from any source, but please note that the ISBNs that we provide come from Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/). Please also pay careful attention to the courses that do not allow Kindle or other electronic versions of particular texts. In Taipei, we have shared our book lists with Caves. While we cannot guarantee that all books will be available at either one or both of these stores, we recommend that you try to purchase the texts locally first. At times, books ordered online from overseas can be tied up in customs for a long period of time. Students should not wait until the last moment to purchase books. 

Please click here for Text and Supply sheet for incoming Grade 9 students (class of 2027)

Each year, a number of authors and artists visit our school, either as school- or PTA-sponsored guest educators. Authors spend their time giving readings of their work, presentations, and writing workshops to upper school students, and artists work with our students in classes and special projects, and give talks, presentations, or performances to students and often our community.

Homework is often a part of the learning process and a legitimate demand on the non-class time of students. More specific information on homework is available in our course catalog.

In cases where the Upper School deems necessary, the counseling office may assist in arranging a school-sanctioned tutor for a student, and the School may permit the tutoring to take place on campus. The approved tutor must have relevant credentials, have passed the required background check, and display a school-issued visitor’s ID at all times while on campus. (In such case, all fees are negotiated directly between the parent and the tutor and are independent of the School.) Tutoring may only take place in an assigned space, and campus access for the tutor is limited to when approved tutoring is taking place.  No other private tutoring is permitted on campus. 

All students and teachers in the Middle and Upper Schools use Canvas to document class assignments and other learning opportunities. Parent access do not have access to their child's account. We do, however, encourage parents to stay actively involved in their child's learning by asking them questions about the types of things that they are learning and documenting through these tools.

CANVAS Instructional Tool

Digital citizenship is an important part of learning for the 21st century learner. At Taipei American School, students are expected to make smart choices use technology to aid their learning in a safe, responsible, ethical, and respectful manner. The TAS values—honesty, respect, responsibility, kindness, and courage—should guide our students in all that they do, including when using technology and navigating the digital world.

Students provided with a school network account may store and retrieve files and print documents using network file servers. Users of the school system should know that network administrators may review files and communications to ensure that users are using the system responsibly, and should not expect that files stored on the school network will be private. Administrators, faculty, and staff also have the right to access student files, communications, or folders at any time and monitor computer activity in all areas of the School. TAS systems should generally be used for academic purposes only.  Disciplinary action may result from inappropriate, destructive, or irresponsible use of technology. Furthermore, students and parents should remember that certain sharing of information or comments in any electronic communications, social media posts, or files, may be a violation of not only school policies, but also have legal consequences, whether or not it is done using TAS systems.

TAS strongly recommends that students exercise great care and judgment in posting any personal information about themselves or others to social media services in order to protect TAS students' safety and confidentiality. Further, students and parents should remember that certain sharing of information or comments about other students may violate TAS’s harassment, sexual harassment, and/or bullying policies, whether or not it is done using TAS systems.

Upper School Acceptable Use Policy

Please consult the Faculty/Staff Directory to find the contact information you are looking for.

Employee Directory

Students are never required to take more than two tests or exams in one day. Students may elect to take up to three tests in one day, but this will never be mandatory. Tests should be posted or announced at least one week ahead of time. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of their test schedule. Should three tests be scheduled in a single day, it is the last test scheduled that the student has the option of rescheduling for an alternate time. In a case where the last test posted cannot be determined, the administration will determine which test may be rescheduled. This must be communicated with the pertinent class teacher at least two class periods before the test date. In the case of three semester exams in one day, the associate principal will arrange the scheduling of make-up exams for affected students.

Semester exams will be cumulative and cover material from the semester’s work. Students who arrive late for an exam may enter the exam but will not be given additional time to complete the exam. The only excused absence from an exam requires a doctor’s note. An unexcused absence will result in a zero for the exam. In the spring semester, if an entire class writes an AP or IB exam, no other final exam is required. While all seniors are exempt from semester exams, they will be expected to attend alternative programing on exam days.
  
 

Taipei American School’s student support services department provides a range of services to maximize each student’s social, emotional, and academic growth. The following programs are offered to Taipei American School students:

• Academic Support
• Speech and Language Therapy
• School Counseling
• Psychological Services

There are counselors, nurses, speech/language teachers, academic support teachers, and a psychologist in the student support services department who specifically serve upper school students. TAS accepts and supports students with mild learning differences, and there is a clear system of referral and intervention.

Academic Support Program

The Academic Support Program provides a variety of services for students with mild learning differences who need support in order to access grade level curriculum. The Academic Support Program provides individual and small group instruction aimed at strengthening academic abilities, executive functioning skills, and self-advocacy. Alternative instructional strategies and testing accommodations are also provided to students who demonstrate specific academic needs.

Mental Health Support

Taipei American School’s counselors and psychologists provide individual and small group counseling and consult with parents and teachers. More information on the school counseling program can be found through the link on the left. In addition, school psychologists conduct classroom observations, individual psychological evaluations, and behavioral assessments.

School Psychologist

Taipei American School’s counselors and psychologists provide individual and small group counseling and consult with parents and teachers. More information on the school counseling program can be found through the link on the left. In addition, school psychologists conduct classroom observations, individual psychological evaluations, and behavioral assessments.

Contact the Upper School Counselors & Support Professionals