Mission Statement
The KSIS mission statement was developed collaboratively by the principal, pedagogical leadership, and the faculty team. At its core lies the belief that students are the central protagonists of in learning.
Kuen Shan International School's motto,“wisdom, integrity, diligence, and originality”embodies our beliefs. The KSIS community constructs wisdom through seeking and sharing ideas, exploring ways of learning, and having the courage and confidence to face new challenges. Our students act with integrity and are responsible, respectful, honest, and fair, considering the ideas of others they may not agree with but who may also be right. They are diligent by taking responsibility for their learning and becoming the best that they can be through honest reflection. KSIS encourages originality by fostering creative thinking skills, reflective practices, and engagement in responsible action to equip students for a sustainable future.
Fast Facts of KSIS
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| School Type | Private, coeducational |
| Setting | Urban |
| Year Founded | 1961 |
| Academic Calendar | Semester System |
| Grade Levels | K–12 (Comprehensive K–12 System) |
| Enrollment | Approx. 430 students (Grades K–12) |
| Faculty | 60+ teachers |
| Motto | Wisdom, Integrity, Diligence, and Originality |
| Accreditation | Taiwan MOE Accredited Private School / IB MYP Candidate School; Pursuing Full Authorization by 2026 |
| Curriculum Frameworks | IB MYP, MOE 12–Year Basic Education, U.S. Dual Enrollment and AP |
| Languages of Instruction | English & Mandarin |
| Vision | Learning For Global Citizenship |
| Slogan | @Kuen Shan. IBecome |
Kuen Shan International School (KSIS)
Kuen Shan International School (KSIS), established in 1961, is a private school officially approved by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. Since its founding, it has been known as Kuen Shan Senior High School, comprising junior high, senior high, and vocational high school divisions. At its peak, the school accommodated over 5,000 students, making it the second-largest private secondary school in the Tainan area.
In 2020, the school began a transformation into an international institution, introducing innovative teaching methods, diversified assessment indicators, and integrating international education across all subject areas. The goal is to equip students with lifelong competencies, enabling them to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape.
Since 2024, the school has been actively pursuing authorization to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. Currently a candidate school for the Middle Years Programme (MYP), KSIS expects to receive IB MYP authorization by the 2026 academic year, becoming the first IB World School in Tainan.
KSIS offers a Grade 7–12 academic program and is part of a comprehensive K–12 educational system that includes Kuen Shan International Kindergarten and Wilson International Elementary School. Our mission is to provide a high-quality educational environment for families in our community. By integrating the IB curriculum framework, the American Common Core Curriculum, and Taiwan's 12-Year Basic Education Competency-Based Curriculum (Curriculum Guidelines of 2019), KSIS creates a diverse, intellectually rich, and caring learning environment for a new generation of students.
In addition to maintaining close ties with the local community and fostering strong parent-school communication, we offer abundant international resources to our students. Our vision is to cultivate globally-minded individuals and establish KSIS as a school of excellence that actively engages with the international community and contributes to nurturing international talents in Taiwan.
IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)
KSIS is in MYP candidacy with a 4-year MYP implementation (Grades 7–10), and the languages of instruction are English & Mandarin.
KSIS is a forward-thinking bilingual institution in the heart of Tainan, dedicated to nurturing globally minded learners who think critically, act compassionately, and engage responsibly in an ever-changing world. As an IB MYP Candidate School, KSIS integrates the International Baccalaureate philosophy with Taiwan's Ministry of Education standards to create a rich, inquiry-driven learning experience that bridges Eastern discipline and Western innovation.
The IB Middle Years Programme (Grades 7–10) at KSIS encourages students to explore connections across traditional subjects while emphasizing conceptual understanding, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world application. Through Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills and Service as Action experiences, students learn to apply knowledge beyond the classroom: in community projects, cultural exchanges, and cross-disciplinary explorations.
KSIS's bilingual curriculum emphasizes academic excellence, creativity, and character. Students learn through collaborative projects, research, and reflection, guided by IB assessment criteria (A–D) that promote deep understanding over rote memorization. Each student is encouraged to develop as an independent thinker and global citizen, capable of transferring knowledge across cultures and disciplines.
In alignment with KSIS's vision of “Learning for Global Citizenship,” the MYP serves as the bridge between the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and College Credit/University Pathway programs offered through KSIS's partnerships with international universities. By integrating global education with local roots, KSIS prepares students not only for academic success but also for leadership in an interconnected world.
MYP Core-Feature at KSIS
- ● Inquiry-based, bilingual instruction (English + Mandarin)
- ● Eight IB subject groups aligned with Taiwan MOE standards
- ● Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills framework
- ● Service as Action and Community Engagement projects
- ● Personal Project (Year 5 Capstone)
- ● Interdisciplinary Units connecting real-world issues to learning
- ● University and Global Citizenship Pathways (UC TAG, NYU PSP, GSAP)
Academic Programs
Grades 7–10 — IB MYP (Candidate Phase):
Aligned with the IB framework and MOE curriculum.
Subjects: Language & Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals & Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Design, and Physical & Health Education. Focus on Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, interdisciplinary projects, and community engagement.
Grades 11–12 — Dual Enrollment & College Preparatory:
Incorporates U.S. Dual Enrollment and AP coursework aligned with U.S. college credit systems. Courses fulfill both MOE graduation and U.S. university transfer requirements (UC TAG/ TAP pathways). Advanced courses offered in English Composition, Calculus, Biology, Psychology, U.S. History, Computer Science, and Art & Design.
