About HIA

Our Commitment to WASC Accreditation: Enhancing Excellence in Education

Hsinchu International Academy (HIA) operates as an Experimental Institute authorized by the Hsinchu County Education Bureau to deliver an international curriculum that integrates standards-based learning and Life Education for students in Grades 7–12.

We are proud to share that HIA has achieved full accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)—a recognition that affirms the quality and integrity of our academic program, our commitment to continuous improvement, and our dedication to student success.

This milestone reflects HIA’s unwavering belief that excellence in education is an ongoing journey. Through the WASC accreditation process, our school has strengthened its reflective and inclusive practices, ensuring that “We Are Student-Centered” remains at the core of all we do. Every decision, program, and initiative at HIA is guided by the goal of supporting each learner’s growth—academically, socially, and emotionally.

At HIA, we understand that meaningful education extends beyond academics. Our curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and personal growth, helping students develop the skills and character needed to thrive in an ever-changing global society.

Our success in achieving WASC accreditation is the result of the shared effort of our entire community—students, teachers, staff, parents, and local partners—whose collaboration and dedication embody the values we uphold. Together, we have built a learning environment that is caring, rigorous, and reflective of the aspirations of our community.

Looking ahead, we remain fully committed to sustaining a culture of reflection, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement. These guiding principles will continue to shape our growth as we empower students to become confident, compassionate, and capable global citizens.

ACS WASC Philosophy

The philosophy of ACS WASC centers upon three beliefs:

(1) a school’s goal is successful student learning;

(2) each school has a clear purpose and schoolwide student goals; and

(3) a school engages in external and internal evaluations as part of continued school improvement to support student learning.

Accreditation is integral to a school’s perpetual cycle of assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reassessment based upon student achievement. It fosters excellence in elementary, secondary, adult, and postsecondary education by encouraging school improvement through a process of continuing evaluation and to recognize, by accreditation, schools that meet an acceptable level of quality, in accordance with established criteria. In addition to its official title, WASC means We Are Student-Centered.

Why Accreditation?

Ensures that a school’s mission and goals are appropriate and effectively achieved through a solid educational program, making the institution trustworthy for student learning.
Confirms the credibility of the school's program and transcripts.
Eases the transfer of credits to other English-speaking schools, which is crucial for global college and university acceptance.
Promotes the ongoing enhancement of the school’s programs and operations to better support student learning.
Provides valuable feedback from peer educators who visit the school.
Offers benefits for schools that opt for joint accreditation or other collaborative processes, such as ACS WASC/CDE.