Where modern Taiwanese education began.
Shilin Elementary School was founded in July 1895 as "Zhishan Rock Academy" (芝山巖學堂), making it the oldest modern elementary school in Taiwan — the birthplace of the island's modern public education system. It began with just 7 teachers and 55 students in two classes. The school was renamed "Bazhilan Public School" in 1898, "Shilin Public School" in 1921, "Shilin National School" in 1941, and finally took its current name, "士林國小," in 1974. Widely cited as the oldest school in Taiwan, it has celebrated well over 130 years of history, and its "century-old lecture hall" (百年講堂) remains in active use today, with some alumni families now spanning five generations of graduates.
士林國小創立於明治28年（1895年）7月，前身為「芝山巖學堂」，是全台歷史最悠久的現代小學，堪稱台灣現代公共教育的發源地。創校之初僅有教師7人、學生55人，共兩班。歷經多次更名：1898年改稱「八芝蘭公學校」，1921年改稱「士林公學校」，1941年改稱「士林國民學校」，最終於民國63年（1974年）定名「士林國民小學」。作為公認全台歷史最悠久的學校，士林國小已有130餘年歷史，「百年講堂」至今仍在使用，部分校友家族甚至已傳承五代皆畢業於此校。
What makes this school worth knowing.
🏛️ The Oldest School in Taiwan
全台歷史最悠久的學校
Widely cited as Taiwan's oldest school, Shilin Elementary is the direct successor to Zhishan Rock Academy, founded in 1895 — the birthplace of modern public education on the island.
🏫 A Century-Old Lecture Hall Still in Use
百年講堂
The school's "century-old lecture hall" remains in active use today, a rare living link to its Japanese-era founding.
👨👩👧👦 Five Generations of Alumni
五代同校校友
Some local families now span five generations of graduates from the same school, a testament to its deep roots in the Shilin community.
✏️ A Modest Beginning
7位教師、55位學生起家
The school began in 1895 with just 7 teachers and 55 students across two classes — a small start to what became Taiwan's most historic school.
Inseparable from Shilin's founding story.
As the direct successor to Zhishan Rock Academy, Shilin Elementary is inseparable from Shilin's identity as the birthplace of Taiwan's modern school system, sitting near the historic Zhishan Rock (芝山岩) hill — one of Shilin's oldest and most culturally significant sites — close to the district's Old Street temple market. See the Taipei county page for more on the region.
Find the school.
No. 165, Dadong Rd., Shilin District, Taipei City 111, Taiwan
臺北市士林區大東路165號
School's Official Website (Chinese) ↗
Last updated: July 2026 · Content adapted and condensed from the school's official Chinese-language website by the Taiwan Bilingual Hub team, not yet reviewed by the school. If you're from Shilin Elementary School and would like to correct or expand this page, please contact us.