Where our Taiwanese and expat families are
Smartious Taiwanese and expat families concentrate across Taipei (Tianmu — TAS catchment, Shilin — TES catchment, Xinyi financial district, Da'an central residential — largest Taiwan international market), New Taipei City (Linkou District — Morrison Academy Taipei + TCS Experimental with BC Canadian dual diploma), Hsinchu (semiconductor capital of Asia — TSMC ecosystem, HAS on Chung Hua University campus, IBSH restricted to Science Park families), Taichung (Central Taiwan precision machinery capital — Morrison Academy Taichung, Hong Wen International School Cambridge test centre), Kaohsiung (Southern Taiwan port and industrial — KAS, I-Shou International with IB continuum + Cambridge + boarding), and Taoyuan (airport city — TYAS American curriculum). Each city has its own local context — TAS waiting-list bypass for Taipei families, TSMC ecosystem rotation portability for Hsinchu families, Kaohsiung Port shipping rotation for Southern Taiwan families, Taoyuan Cambridge / IB gap-filling — but all share the same live online delivery infrastructure in CST UTC+8 with 2 PM – 5 PM afternoon delivery matching Taiwan post-school hours.
Capital · 2.6M city (7M Greater Taipei) · Tianmu (expat hub) · Shilin · Xinyi (financial district) · Da'an · Zhongshan · Beitou · Taipei 101 · Presidential Office · Taiwan Stock Exchange · TSMC ecosystem · substantial expat corporate concentration · 18,000+ resident expatriates
Metropolitan region surrounding Taipei · 4M residents · Linkou (Morrison Academy Taipei + TCS Experimental) · Banqiao (commercial) · Xindian · Sanchong · Zhonghe · Yonghe · substantial residential expansion
Semiconductor capital of Asia · Hsinchu Science Park (TSMC ecosystem, MediaTek HQ, ASML operations) · National Tsing Hua University · NYCU (Yang Ming Chiao Tung) · substantial American, European, Japanese, Korean semiconductor expat concentration · HAS · IBSH · Hsinchu International School
Central Taiwan's largest city · 2.8M metro · Tanzi District · Morrison Academy Taichung (established base) · Hong Wen International School (Cambridge + IB + IELTS test centre) · precision machinery industry · Central Taiwan Science Park
Southern Taiwan's largest city · 2.7M metro · Kaohsiung Port (world's largest container port historically, top 20 globally) · Kaohsiung American School (KAS) · I-Shou International School (E-Da community, IB continuum + Cambridge IGCSE with boarding house) · petrochemical and shipping industry
Northern Taiwan · 2.3M residents · Taoyuan International Airport (Taiwan's primary international gateway) · Luzhu District (Taoyuan American School on Kainan University campus) · airport city · logistics and aviation industry
How Smartious compares to top Taiwan schools
Taiwan international school fees span bilingual experimental (NTD 300,000/year, ~USD 9,375) through mid-tier premium (NTD 580,000-950,000/year, USD 18,000-30,000) to premium (NTD 950,000-1,250,000+/year, USD 30,000-39,000+). Taiwan's international schools are 25-40% cheaper than Singapore and 30-45% cheaper than Hong Kong equivalents, but still substantial. Taipei American School (TAS) anchors the premium tier alongside Taipei European School (TES). Hsinchu Science Park has HAS + IBSH. Taichung has Morrison Academy + Hong Wen IS. Kaohsiung has KAS + I-Shou. Taoyuan has TYAS. Cambridge access is via TES British section as primary examination centre plus HWIS Taichung.
| School | Curriculum | Fees (TWD/year) | Status / Rating | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Taipei American School (TAS) Tianmu Taipei | American Curriculum + AP + IB Diploma | ~USD 30,000-39,000+/year | 4.7 | Private international day school since 1949, ~2,400 students KA-Grade 12, 15-acre campus, 9-12 month waiting lists |
Taipei European School (TES) Shilin Taipei | Cambridge IGCSE + A-Level + IB Diploma + French + German | ~USD 24,400-35,900/year | 4.6 | Nonprofit foundation, three sections (British + French + German), authorised Cambridge examination centre |
Morrison Academy Taipei (Linkou) Linkou New Taipei City | American Christian K-12 | ~USD 17,200-26,600/year | 4.4 | Brand-new Linkou campus January 2020, three-campus Morrison Academy network |
Taipei Fuhsing Private School Dunhua South Road Taipei | Bilingual K-12 experimental | ~USD 14,100-23,400/year | 4.5 | 2026 MIT + Oxford + Cambridge admissions, established bilingual Chinese-English |
Acton Academy Taipei Beitou Taipei | Cambridge Primary + Secondary + IGCSE + AP | ~USD 17,200-25,000/year | 4.3 | Project-based learner-driven, currently grades 1-9, high school launching Fall 2026 |
TCS Experimental Education NTNU Linkou New Taipei | Canadian BC + Taiwan dual diploma | ~USD 15,000-23,400/year | 4.4 | Distinctive Canadian British Columbia dual diploma pathway |
Hsinchu American School (HAS) Hsinchu | American Curriculum + AP | ~USD 17,200-26,600/year | 4.3 | On Chung Hua University campus, AP from Grade 6, WASC accredited, AIT registered |
International Bilingual School Hsinchu Science Park (IBSH) Hsinchu Science Park | IB MYP + DP | ~USD 12,500-20,300/year | 4.4 | Government-supported, restricted to Hsinchu Science Park expatriate employee children only |
Morrison Academy Taichung Taichung | American Christian K-12 | ~USD 15,600-25,000/year | 4.4 | Morrison Academy established Taichung base since 1952 |
Hong Wen International School (HWIS) Tanzi Taichung | IB DP + 36 AP + IGCSE + A-Levels | ~USD 17,200-28,100/year | 4.5 | Multi-board — IB World School + Cambridge test centre + College Board AP + SAT + IELTS test centre |
Kaohsiung American School (KAS) Kaohsiung | American Curriculum | ~USD 15,600-25,000/year | 4.3 | Southern Taiwan established American |
I-Shou International School Dashu Kaohsiung | IB PYP + MYP + DP + Cambridge IGCSE | ~USD 15,600-28,100/year | 4.4 | E-Da community since 2004, boarding house Grades 6-12, CIS accredited |
Taoyuan American School (TYAS) Luzhu Taoyuan | American Curriculum + AP | ~USD 15,600-25,000/year | 4.2 | On Kainan University campus, AP since 2016 |
King's InterHigh (UK — Asia timetable) Online (UK-based) | Cambridge, Edexcel, IB Online | ~USD 10,000-19,000/year | 4.2 | DfE-accredited online school with Asia timetable |
Smartious Homeschool (Taiwan via online delivery) Delivered to all Taiwan | Cambridge IGCSE, A-Level, IB DP, AP, Ontario OSSD | ~TWD 69,120-207,360/year | 4.8 | Live small-group CST afternoon delivery + Ontario OSSD via CCIS + Taiwanese-national access (no second-passport restriction) |
Fee ranges reflect published 2026 tuition for Year 7-13 across the school's tier structure. Specific fees vary by year group and additional school charges (registration, capital fee, books, transport, uniforms). Smartious USD pricing translates to fixed TWD via the peg.
Homeschool laws & regulatory framework in the Taiwan
Taiwan operates a structured education framework under the Ministry of Education (MoE) with 9-year compulsory education (6 years elementary + 3 years junior high) and a specific legal restriction on Taiwan physical international school enrolment.
MoE and international curricula
Taiwan MoE regulates schools nationwide. Taiwan physical international schools are legally prohibited from enrolling Taiwanese citizens who do not hold a second passport — a specific Taiwan regulatory restriction driving international curriculum access limitations for sole-Taiwanese-citizenship families.
Smartious online — no Taiwanese-national restriction
Smartious online delivery, as an international curriculum provider not registered as a Taiwan physical international school, does not fall under the Taiwanese-citizen enrolment restriction. Smartious serves Taiwanese-national families directly with Cambridge, IB, American AP, or Ontario OSSD delivery — a segment Taiwan physical international schools legally cannot accept.
Expat families — ARC required at physical schools
Expat families require Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) status for children to enrol at Taiwan physical international schools. Smartious online has no such requirement. Non-citizen expatriate families pursue international curriculum via Smartious under residence permit frameworks.
Pre-primary and secondary — unrestricted
Children under 6 (pre-primary) and children 12+ (secondary — Cambridge IGCSE Years 10-11, A-Level Years 12-13, IB Diploma) are unrestricted for all Taiwanese and expat families. This is Smartious's core Taiwan delivery window.
Why Taiwan families choose Smartious
Reasons grounded in the realities of Taiwan education — local school capacity constraints, corporate transfer and diplomatic timing, commute and logistics, currency stability, and the curriculum portability that mobile expat and dual-nationality families need.
Fee arbitrage on Taipei American School (TAS) and TES premium tier
Smartious at USD 2,160-6,480/year (~TWD 69,120-207,360/year) vs NTD 780,000-1,250,000+/year Taipei premium tier (TAS, TES, plus Morrison Academy, Fuhsing, Acton Academy). Identical Cambridge, IB, American, or Ontario OSSD qualifications.
Taiwanese-national international pathway access
Taiwan law prohibits physical international schools accepting Taiwanese students without a second passport. Smartious online has no such restriction — serves Taiwanese-national families directly with Cambridge / IB / American / OSSD pathway. Historical alternatives for sole-Taiwanese-citizenship families were bilingual experimental school, overseas boarding, or private tutoring. Smartious provides direct access.
TAS waiting-list bypass
TAS operates 9-12 month waiting lists at Grade 6 and Grade 9 entry. Smartious offers immediate enrolment as waiting-list bridge or permanent alternative.
Afternoon delivery matching Taiwan school-day rhythm
Taiwan Time (CST UTC+8) is 5 hours ahead of East Africa Time. Smartious 9 AM – 12 PM Nairobi teaching = 2 PM – 5 PM Taipei local time — matches Taiwan post-morning-school hours, practical for Taiwanese-national families combining local school with international curriculum.
TSMC ecosystem semiconductor family rotation portability
Hsinchu Science Park (TSMC, MediaTek, ASML) plus Central Taiwan Science Park (Micron) rotational assignment cycles supported without curriculum switching across TSMC Arizona, ASML Netherlands, Applied Materials Silicon Valley postings.
Ontario OSSD pathway
Taiwanese and expat families targeting Canadian U15 (Toronto, McGill, UBC, McMaster, Waterloo, Western, Queen's) complete Ontario Secondary School Diploma via CCIS partnership — apply via OUAC as Ontario secondary graduate. Complementing TCS Experimental's local BC Canadian dual diploma pathway.
TES + HWIS Cambridge examination centres
Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level examinations at Taipei European School (TES) British section (Shilin Taipei — Taiwan's primary authorised Cambridge examination centre) or Hong Wen International School Taichung Cambridge test centre.
What you can verify about Smartious
We publish only facts we can substantiate — operational history, curriculum coverage, teacher base, and infrastructure. No invented testimonials or pass-rate claims.
Founder-led education company
Founded 2019 by Alfred Ouko (BEd Mathematics & Physics). Smartious operates a full teaching team of 11 with two international-standard operational centres established 2022 and 2023. Not a marketplace, not a freelance network.
Two operational centres
Live teaching is delivered to Taiwan families from two international-standard operational centres, established 2022 and 2023. Teachers work from professional academic facilities with accountability and infrastructure beyond marketplace or freelance models.
Cambridge-trained PGCE specialists
Teachers are PGCE-qualified subject specialists with Cambridge International training. Subject specialism means a Chemistry teacher teaches only Chemistry — not generalist primary-style teaching.
14+ countries served
Active students in Taiwan and 13 other markets across East Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Africa. Verifiable through cross-country cohort interaction in live classes.
Ontario Diploma (OSSD) partnership
Smartious students can earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma through our partnership with Canadian Cross International School (Ontario-inspected private school). The OSSD is recognised by Canadian universities (OUAC), US universities (Common Application), UK universities (UCAS) and globally — particularly valuable for Canadian U15 applications.
5 international curricula
Cambridge IGCSE & A-Level (primary offering), Pearson Edexcel International GCSE & A-Level, IB Diploma Programme, American Curriculum with AP, Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) via Canadian Cross International School partnership. Multiple credential pathways per family.
Live class transparency
Every class is live with recorded sessions for review. Parents can audit class quality directly. This is materially different from pre-recorded video courses with light tutor support.
4.9 from 123+ verified Google reviews
“I am truly impressed by the level of professionalism at Smartious Homeschool and Tuition. The tutors are not only knowledgeable but also very patient and supportive. They create a comfortable learning environment where children feel free to ask questions. My child now enjoys studying and looks forward to every session.”
“What stands out most about Smartious Homeschool and Tuition is their dedication to each learner. They don't rush through topics but ensure the child fully understands before moving forward. The progress my child has made in a short time is impressive. I would definitely recommend them to any parent.”
“Smartious Homeschooling delivers genuinely effective one-on-one instruction. The teachers are patient, consistent, and skilled at identifying and addressing each learner's specific academic gaps. Since enrolling, our child has become more confident, enjoys lessons, and is now performing above grade level. For families in Nairobi seeking a dependable, academically rigorous homeschooling programme with personalised support, Smartious is a standout choice.”
“What I love most about Smartious is how they make learning enjoyable. The tutors use engaging methods that keep children interested throughout the lesson. My child now looks forward to studying instead of avoiding it.”
“I have peace of mind as a Smartious Homeschool parent. No more traffic and early morning rush to school. Smartious are the most organized homeschool providers.”
Reviews above are from our verified Google Business Profile. For Taiwan-specific parent references during your decision-making, request these during your free assessment — we can introduce you to current Taiwan families happy to share their experience directly.
Accreditation, Recognition & University Pathways
Smartious students earn qualifications administered by independent international examination boards. Recognition flows from the board itself — not from the school that delivered the curriculum. Below is the accreditation, examination and verification framework that connects Taiwanese Smartious students to universities worldwide.
Cambridge International
Cambridge Assessment International Education · University of Cambridge
Smartious's primary offer for Taiwanese and expat families. Cambridge IGCSE (Years 10-11) and Cambridge A-Level (Years 12-13) delivered as live online classes with afternoon delivery matching Taiwan school-day rhythm. Private candidate examination registration at Taipei European School (TES) British section or Hong Wen International School Taichung as authorised Cambridge test centres. Pathway accepted by all Taiwan universities, UK Russell Group, US Ivy League, Canadian U15, Australian Group of Eight.
Pearson Edexcel International
Pearson · UK Edexcel curriculum adapted for international delivery
International GCSE and International A-Level qualifications, administered by Pearson. Three examination series annually (January, May/June, October/November) providing additional flexibility versus the Cambridge twice-yearly schedule.
International Baccalaureate Organisation
IB Diploma Programme · IBO Geneva
IB Diploma administered by the International Baccalaureate Organisation in Geneva. Recognised by leading universities globally with particularly strong weighting at US Ivy League, US selective liberal arts colleges, Canadian U15 and top European universities.
College Board
American Curriculum with Advanced Placement (AP)
AP courses and examinations administered by the College Board, the US non-profit responsible for the SAT and AP programmes. AP scores are widely recognised by US universities for university credit, plus by Canadian, UK, Australian and many universities worldwide.
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Canadian Cross International School · Ontario Ministry of Education
OSSD earned through Smartious's partnership with Canadian Cross International School, an Ontario-inspected private school. Smartious students enrol concurrently with CCIS to complete the OSSD curriculum and credit requirements alongside Cambridge or other pathways. OSSD is one of the most recognised secondary credentials worldwide — particularly strong for Canadian U15 admissions via OUAC, US universities via Common Application, and UK universities via UCAS.
Examination centre arrangements in Taiwan
International examinations require attendance at authorised examination centres on specific dates. In Taiwan, established examination centres serve Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel and other major international qualifications.
Smartious manages examination registration logistics including centre selection, registration paperwork and deadline compliance. Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level examinations for Taiwanese students are hosted at Taipei European School (TES) British section in Shilin Taipei — the primary authorised Cambridge International examination centre in Taiwan. Hong Wen International School (HWIS) Tanzi District Taichung also operates as an authorised Cambridge test centre plus College Board AP + SAT + IELTS test centre. Hsinchu, Kaohsiung, and Taoyuan Cambridge candidates travel to Taipei or Taichung by High Speed Rail (35 minutes Hsinchu-Taipei, 55 minutes Taipei-Taichung, 90 minutes Taipei-Kaohsiung). Smartious handles examination registration logistics. Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and International A-Level offer three examination series each year providing greater flexibility than Cambridge's two series.
University recognition worldwide
Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel, IB Diploma and American AP qualifications are recognised across the major university systems globally.
National Taiwan University (NTU, top public research), National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), National Tsing Hua University (NTHU, Hsinchu), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU, Hsinchu — 2021 merger of NCTU and NYMU), National Cheng Kung University (NCKU, Tainan), National Chung Hsing University (NCHU, Taichung), National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU, Kaohsiung), National Chengchi University (Taipei), Fu Jen Catholic University, Soochow University Taiwan, Chinese Culture University, Chung Hua University (Hsinchu), Kainan University (Taoyuan), Chung Yuan Christian University (Zhongli Taoyuan), E-Da University (Kaohsiung).
Cambridge · Oxford · Imperial College London · UCL · LSE · King's College London · Edinburgh · Manchester · Bristol · Birmingham · Warwick · Durham · the Russell Group · the broader UK system via UCAS
Harvard · Yale · Princeton · Columbia · Penn · Brown · Dartmouth · Cornell · Amherst · Williams · Pomona · UC Berkeley · UCLA · Michigan · Virginia · top liberal arts and public research universities via the Common Application
Toronto · McGill · UBC · McMaster · Waterloo · Western · Queen's · the U15 research universities · OUAC for Ontario applications
Melbourne · Sydney · ANU · Monash · Queensland · UWA · Adelaide · UNSW · the Group of Eight via UAC
NYU Abu Dhabi · Sorbonne Abu Dhabi · Khalifa · AUS · AUD · UAE branch campuses · KFUPM · KAUST · KSU · KAU · Saudi national universities · Education City Doha (Georgetown · Northwestern · CMU · Cornell · Texas A&M · HEC Paris · UCL)
Berlin Humboldt · Munich LMU · Heidelberg · RWTH Aachen · TU Munich · French Grandes Écoles · Amsterdam · Leiden · Utrecht · Bologna · Sapienza · ETH Zurich · EPFL
How universities verify qualifications
Universities verify Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel, IB Diploma and American AP qualifications directly with the issuing examination boards through standard verification services — Cambridge International Verification of Awards, Pearson's Verification of Results, the IB Organisation's verification service, and the College Board AP Score Reporting service. The qualification's credibility comes from the examination board itself, which is why these qualifications are equally valid whether earned at a physical school or through Smartious.
Curriculum approaches we offer Taiwanese families
British Curriculum
Cambridge IGCSE & A-Level · Pearson Edexcel
Cambridge IGCSE: Years 10-11, eight to ten subjects. Cambridge A-Level: Years 12-13, three or four subjects in depth. Pearson Edexcel as British alternative with three examination series annually.
Taiwanese and expat families targeting Cambridge IGCSE + A-Level pathway. Taiwan's dominant international curriculum is American (TAS, Morrison Academy, KAS, TYAS, HAS) with British/IB as smaller segment (TES British section, HWIS Taichung, I-Shou Kaohsiung, Acton Academy Taipei) — Smartious extends full Cambridge access alongside American AP alternative. Best fit for UK Russell Group, Canadian and Australian universities, or Taiwan universities via international admissions.
Live online classes CST 2 PM – 5 PM (matching 9 AM – 12 PM Nairobi teaching), small groups 4-6 students. Cambridge examinations at TES Taipei or HWIS Taichung.
IB Diploma Programme
International Baccalaureate Organisation
Grades 11-12. Six subjects (three Higher Level, three Standard Level), plus Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay (4,000-word independent research paper), and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS).
Taiwanese and expat families targeting IB Diploma's breadth. IBSH Hsinchu (restricted to Science Park families), TES IB Diploma, I-Shou International Kaohsiung, HWIS Taichung alternative. Best fit for families targeting US Ivy League, Canadian U15, and holistic university applications.
Live online IB DP classes across all six subject groups plus Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay supervision.
American Curriculum
College Board · AP · SAT & ACT
US high school curriculum through Grade 12. Advanced Placement courses Grades 9-12 with college-level subject specialisation. SAT or ACT preparation integrated alongside curriculum delivery.
Taiwanese and expat families targeting US universities via Common Application. Taiwan's dominant international curriculum — TAS, Morrison Academy Taichung/Linkou/Kaohsiung, KAS, TYAS, HAS all deliver American curriculum. Smartious American AP alternative includes AP Chinese Language and Culture particularly relevant for returning Taiwanese-American families.
American Curriculum with AP courses Grades 9-12, SAT/ACT preparation, Common App essay coaching.
Ontario Secondary School Diploma
OSSD · via Canadian Cross International School partnership
Grades 9-12 Ontario curriculum delivered through Smartious's partnership with Canadian Cross International School (Ontario-inspected private secondary school). Students complete the 30 credits required for OSSD including the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) and 40 community involvement hours.
Taiwanese families targeting Canadian U15 universities (Toronto, McGill, UBC, McMaster, Waterloo, Western, Queen's) via OUAC, US universities via the Common Application, UK universities via UCAS, and Australian universities. The OSSD is particularly strong for direct Canadian university applications because students apply as Ontario secondary graduates rather than international students.
Live online instruction by qualified subject teachers, concurrent enrolment with Canadian Cross International School for official OSSD transcripting, Ontario course codes (ENG4U, MHF4U, SCH4U etc.) recorded against each student. CCIS issues the official Ontario diploma and transcript on successful completion of the OSSD requirements.
Primary, Secondary & Sixth Form
Primary Programmes
Ages 5-11 · Years 1-6 · Grades 1-5 · IB PYP
Cambridge Primary, Common Core or IB Primary Years Programme. Live classes are age-appropriate in length (40-50 minutes), scheduled in your local CST time zone to suit Primary-age attention spans. Small group sizes support individual attention. Weekly parent dashboards and monthly written reports cover academic and developmental progress.
Secondary Programmes
Years 7-11 · Grades 6-11
Lower Secondary (Years 7-9) builds the foundations for IGCSE entry. IGCSE Years (10-11) cover eight to ten subjects with examination registration at Taipei European School (TES) British section. One-on-one subject choice consultation at IGCSE entry aligns subjects with university targets. Mid-year arrivals accepted with academic catch-up support.
Sixth Form & University Preparation
Years 12-13 · Grades 11-12
Taiwan universities accept Cambridge A-Level, IB Diploma, and American AP via international admissions channels (English-medium tracks). UK UCAS applications supported through Cambridge A-Level or IB Diploma, US Common Application via SAT/ACT + AP portfolios (particularly relevant for Taiwan's strong US university placement pattern), Canadian OUAC via Ontario OSSD (CCIS partnership) or as international student via Cambridge/IB, Australian direct entry via A-Level or IB. TCS Experimental in New Taipei Linkou offers distinctive Canadian BC Ministry of Education dual diploma pathway; Smartious provides parallel Ontario OSSD pathway. Personalised university guidance sessions with the Head of Academics for target-university strategy.
Eight reasons Taiwanese families choose Smartious
Each reason is grounded in something verifiable — not in marketing claims.
Experienced international educators
Subject-specific degree-qualified teaching staff with cumulative experience across Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel, IB Diploma and American Curriculum. Many hold advanced teaching credentials including PGCE, Cambridge PDT certification, or national teaching registration in their home jurisdiction.
Personalised learning plans
Every student begins with an initial assessment. The learning plan that follows is tailored to academic level, subject preferences, target universities and family situation — not a one-size-fits-all schedule.
Academic assessments
Initial diagnostic assessment. Weekly informal assessment within classes. Monthly formal assessments. Mock examinations under timed conditions during IGCSE and A-Level years. Results inform teaching adjustments.
Small class sizes
Online tier classes have four to six students. Online Plus has smaller groups. Premium is one-on-one. Class size affects individual attention, question response time, and student speaking time during class.
Progress monitoring
Weekly parent dashboards showing attendance and assessment results. Monthly written subject reports from each teacher. Termly comprehensive reports covering academic progress, study habits and university preparation.
Parent communication
Direct communication with subject teachers and form tutors via the parent portal. Email for admissions and pastoral matters, with response within one business day. Scheduled parent-teacher meetings each term.
Global student community
Live classes bring together students from across 14 countries. Wednesday afternoon enrichment programmes — coding, robotics, debate, Model UN, chess, journalism, leadership — develop collaborative learning across geographies.
University admissions guidance
Progressive guidance from Year 10 onwards. UCAS, Common Application, OUAC, UAC and direct university application support. Personal statement coaching, interview preparation and offer-management guidance.
Alfred Ouko
Founder, Smartious Homeschool & eSchool
Alfred Ouko is the founder of Smartious Homeschool & eSchool, established in 2019 while studying at the University of Nairobi. He has grown the organisation from a tuition support service into an international online school serving families across 14 countries, including Alfred Ouko founded Smartious in 2019 to make international qualifications (Cambridge, IB, American, Ontario OSSD) accessible to families across emerging markets at online-delivery fees. Taiwanese and expat families in Taiwan join students in 17 other countries — from Taipei Tianmu to Kuwait City Sharq, Istanbul Bebek to Cairo Zamalek, Dubai Downtown to Kuala Lumpur Mont Kiara..
Bachelor of Education (Science) — Mathematics and Physics, University of Nairobi (2022)
- Over six years supporting students through international curriculum pathways — Cambridge International (IGCSE and A-Level), Pearson Edexcel International, IB Diploma Programme, American Curriculum with AP, and homeschooling pathways.
- Direct teaching experience in secondary-level Mathematics and Physics across multiple international curriculum boards.
- Leadership of curriculum development, teacher recruitment and academic standards across Smartious's two international-standard operational centres and online programmes serving Taiwan families.
- Specialism in supporting students through university admissions to Alfred holds a BEd in Mathematics and Physics — Smartious's Cambridge A-Level and IB Diploma STEM subjects are led personally when needed. Head of Academics supervises curriculum delivery and university placement strategy per family..
“International curriculum mastery is achievable for students from any background when subject specialists, small class sizes, and individual academic plans are combined with the discipline and structure good schools provide.”
Common questions from Taiwan families
Where does Smartious sit relative to Taiwan's premium international schools like TAS and TES?+
Taiwan's premium tier — Taipei American School (TAS, NTD 950,000-1,250,000+/year, ~2,400 students Tianmu since 1949, 9-12 month waiting lists), Taipei European School (TES, Shilin nonprofit with British + French + German sections + IB Diploma, Cambridge examination centre), Morrison Academy Taipei / Taichung / Kaohsiung network, Taipei Fuhsing (bilingual with 2026 MIT + Oxbridge admissions) — provides physical campus premium American, British, French, German, or IB curriculum. Smartious provides live online Cambridge / IB / American / OSSD at USD 2,160-6,480/year (~TWD 69,120-207,360/year) with identical qualifications, immediate enrolment (no TAS waiting list), and afternoon delivery matching Taiwan school-day rhythm.
We're a Taiwanese-national family with sole Taiwanese citizenship. Can our children access international curriculum via Smartious?+
Yes — this is a specific Smartious value proposition for Taiwan. Taiwan law prohibits Taiwan physical international schools (TAS, TES, Morrison Academy, HAS, KAS, TYAS) from enrolling Taiwanese students without a second passport. Smartious online delivery, as an international curriculum provider not registered as a Taiwan physical international school, has no such restriction. Smartious serves Taiwanese-national families directly with Cambridge IGCSE, A-Level, IB Diploma, American AP, or Ontario OSSD delivery. Historical alternatives for sole-Taiwanese-citizenship families were bilingual experimental school (limited Cambridge/IB access), overseas boarding, or private tutoring.
TAS has a 9-12 month waiting list. Can Smartious support us in the interim or as alternative?+
Both scenarios common. Waiting-list bridge: Smartious carries your child through Cambridge / IB / AP for 9-12 months until TAS place opens with cross-country cohort integration. Permanent alternative: same Cambridge, IB, American AP, or Ontario OSSD qualifications delivered live online at USD 2,160-6,480/year vs NTD 950,000-1,250,000+ TAS fees.
Where do Taiwan students sit Cambridge examinations?+
Taipei European School (TES) British section in Shilin Taipei is Taiwan's primary authorised Cambridge International examination centre. Hong Wen International School (HWIS) Tanzi Taichung also operates as an authorised Cambridge test centre. Hsinchu, Taoyuan, Kaohsiung Cambridge candidates travel to Taipei by MRT / High Speed Rail (35 minutes Hsinchu-Taipei, 30 minutes Taoyuan-Taipei, 90 minutes Kaohsiung-Taipei). Smartious handles examination registration logistics.
How does live class scheduling work given Taiwan Time and Nairobi teaching hours?+
Taiwan Time (CST UTC+8) is 5 hours ahead of East Africa Time (EAT UTC+3). Smartious live classes 9 AM – 12 PM Nairobi teaching = 2 PM – 5 PM Taipei local time — afternoon slot matching Taiwan post-morning-school hours, practical for Taiwanese-national families combining local school with international curriculum. Evening 7 PM – 10 PM CST slot also available. Recorded sessions 24/7.
What Taiwan universities accept Cambridge, IB, and AP qualifications?+
National Taiwan University (NTU, top public research), National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), National Tsing Hua University (NTHU, Hsinchu), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU, Hsinchu — 2021 merger of NCTU and NYMU), National Cheng Kung University (NCKU, Tainan), National Chung Hsing University (NCHU, Taichung), National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU, Kaohsiung), National Chengchi University (Taipei), plus private universities Fu Jen Catholic, Soochow, Chinese Culture. Taiwan universities accept Cambridge A-Level, IB Diploma, and American AP via international admissions channels.
We're returning Taiwanese-American family. How does Smartious support US pathway continuity?+
Smartious American Curriculum with AP delivery — including AP Chinese Language and Culture particularly relevant for returning Taiwanese-American families — supports Common Application university pathway continuity across US Ivy League, UC system, and other top US destinations. Integrated SAT / ACT preparation, TOEFL for English proficiency documentation, and Common App essay coaching. Continues seamlessly whether the family is in Taipei, San Francisco, Vancouver, or Boston.
We're TSMC / ASML / semiconductor family. How does Smartious support our rotation?+
Semiconductor industry rotational cycles (3-4 years typical). Smartious enrolment continues seamlessly through Hsinchu Science Park → TSMC Arizona → ASML Netherlands → Applied Materials Silicon Valley → back to Taiwan without curriculum switching. Cross-country semiconductor family cohort provides social continuity.
What Taiwan cities does Smartious serve?+
Taipei (Tianmu — TAS area, Shilin — TES area, Xinyi, Da'an, Beitou), New Taipei City (Linkou — Morrison Academy + TCS, Banqiao, Xindian, Tamsui), Hsinchu (Science Park + city), Taichung (Tanzi District — HWIS, Central Taiwan Science Park), Kaohsiung (Southern Taiwan port and industrial), and Taoyuan (Luzhu District — TYAS, airport city). Also broader Taiwan via live online delivery including Tainan, Chiayi, Miaoli, Yilan, Hualien.
What internet speed does Smartious require in Taiwan?+
Sustained ~5-10 Mbps per student for live HD video conferencing. Chunghwa Telecom Fiber, Taiwan Mobile Fiber, and Far EasTone Fiber residential broadband across Taipei, New Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Taoyuan routinely deliver 100+ Mbps. 5G mobile widely available.
Taiwanese students join a 14+ country global cohort
Live classes bring together students from across Africa, the Gulf, Europe and Asia. A Taiwan student in our Year 11 IGCSE Mathematics class will be alongside peers in Cairo, Dubai, Bangkok, Seoul, Casablanca and Kigali. The Wednesday enrichment programmes (debate, Model UN, robotics, journalism) operate as one global classroom rather than thirteen separate national ones.