Schools and Communities

The Rocky Mountain International Student Program (RMISP) is pleased to provide international students with top-quality curricular and extra-curricular opportunities to learn, play, and grow in School Districts 5, 6, 19, and 83. All RMISP high schools are committed to academic excellence in learning environments that are innovative, collaborative, and engaging.

On a space available basis, students can choose any of our public high schools in Golden, Invermere, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Fernie, Sparwood, Revelstoke, Sicamous, Salmon Arm, Enderby, or Armstrong. Placements are also available at Laurie Middle School (Grade 7-9) in Cranbrook.

Our schools are known for small classes with supportive teachers and a low ratio of international students to Canadian students.

Explore our communities:

Golden

The town of Golden is located three hours west of Calgary and serves a population of approximately 6,725 people, including surrounding areas. Golden is nestled between the Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges. Tourists from all over the planet visit Golden for the area's world-class outdoor recreation. Golden is home to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, often ranked as one of the top ten ski resorts in North America.

Distance from school to downhill ski area: 15 kms

Community amenities and clubs:

Golden Secondary School

Grades: 8-12
Number of students: 320
Semester (grades 10-12) / Linear (grades 8-9)
Popular Courses: Outdoor Education, Metalwork, Genocide Studies, Physics, French Immersion (Langue et Culture de la Francophonie)
Fall Sports: Boys Soccer, Volleyball, Cross-country Running, Aquatics
Winter Sports: Basketball, Ski/Snowboard
Spring Sports: Golf, Mountain Biking, Rugby, Girls Soccer, Track & Field
Eagles Athletics

GSS Course Selection - Grades 10-12

GSS Course Selection - Grades 8-9

Invermere

Invermere is a lakeside resort community with a population of about 4,000 in town and 10,000 in the surrounding area. It is the economic center of the Columbia Valley and boasts many unique, vibrant shops and services. Set on the shores of Lake Windermere, boating, swimming and skating on the frozen lake in winter are just some of the activities to do here! Panorama Mountain Resort is about 20 minutes west of Invermere and is serviced by a free shuttle during ski season.

Distance from school to downhill ski area: 22 kms

Community amenities and clubs:

David Thompson Secondary School

Grades: 8-12
Number of students: 460
Semester (grades 11-12) / Combined linear, semester, term (grades 8-10)
Popular Courses: Culinary Arts, Leisure & Recreational Activities, Theatre, Psychology, Computer Programming, Law Studies, Creative Writing
Fall Sports: Mountain Biking, Boys Soccer, Girls Rugby, Volleyball, Cross-country Running
Winter Sports: Badminton, Basketball, Curling, Ski/Snowboard
Spring Sports: Archery, Golf, Mountain Biking, Rugby, Girls Soccer, Track & Field
Lakers Athletics

DTSS Course Selection - Grade 10-12

DTSS Course Selection - Grade 8-9

Kimberley

Kimberley is a four-season resort community with a population of 9,000. It is located on the slopes of the Purcell Mountain Range across the valley from the world-famous Rocky Mountains. The town is located only 20 minutes from Cranbrook, the region's largest city. The Kimberley Alpine Resort is located within city limits and it is easily accessible to students.

Distance from school to downhill ski area: 4 kms

Community amenities and clubs:

Selkirk Secondary School

Grades: 8-12
Number of students: 540
Semester (grades 10-12) and Linear (grades 8-9)
Popular Courses: Outdoor Education, Foods, Hockey, Concert Choir, Visual Arts, Intensive French, Physical Geography, Social Justice
Fall Sports: Boys Soccer, Rugby, Volleyball, Cross-country Running, Swimming
Winter Sports: Badminton, Basketball, Ski/Snowboard, Curling
Spring Sports: Golf, Mountain Biking, Rugby, Girls Soccer, Track & Field
Storm Athletics

SSS Course Selection - Grades 8-12

Cranbrook

Cranbrook, RMISP's largest community with over 20,000 residents, is a regional center serving a surrounding area of nearly 50,000 people. It offers most of the services found in much larger cities including an international airport, shopping malls, block stores, the College of the Rockies, city buses, arts and movie theatres, fitness gyms, a 4,500-seat arena, a junior "A" ice hockey team, climbing gym, an indoor aquatic centre and other excellent recreation facilities. Cranbrook is located about 25 minutes from the Kimberley Alpine Resort.

Distance from school to downhill ski area: 32 kms

Community amenities and clubs:

Mount Baker Secondary School

Grades: 10-12
Number of students: 1,000
Semester
Popular Courses: Outdoor Education, Spanish, Entrepreneurship, Guitar, Food Studies, Drafting, Chess, Computer Programming, Law Studies, Anatomy and Physiology
Fall Sports: Mountain Biking, Boys Soccer, Rugby, Volleyball, Cross-country Running
Winter Sports: Badminton, Basketball, Ski/Snowboard
Spring Sports: Mountain Biking, Rugby, Girls Soccer, Track & Field
MBSS Sports/Athletics
MBSS Wild Theatre

MBSS Course Selection - Grades 11-12

MBSS Course Selection - Grade 10

Laurie Middle School

Grades: 7-9
Number of students: 370
Linear
Popular Courses: Woodwork, Metalwork, Computers, Art, Foods, Outdoor Education
Fall Sports: Volleyball
Winter Sports: Basketball
Spring Sports: Track & Field

LMS Course Selection - Grade 9 Electives

LMS Course Selection - Grade 8 Electives

Fernie

Brick and stone facades of the historic downtown. — Photo: Downtown Fernie by Mitch Winton / KootenayRockies.com

The city of Fernie, with a population of 6,500, has a beautiful, historic downtown area, an indoor aquatic centre, a hockey arena, the Fernie Arts Station, and many trendy restaurants, coffee shops, and stores. The Fernie Alpine Resort is about 10 minutes from the town and is world famous for its powder skiing.

Distance from school to downhill ski area: 9 kms

Community amenities and clubs:

Fernie Secondary School

Grades: 7-12
Number of students: 500
Semester (grades 10-12) and Linear (grades 7-9)
Popular Courses: Active Living, Fitness and Conditioning, Drama, French, Photography, Automotive Technology, 20th Century World History
Fall Sports: Boys Soccer, Volleyball, Cross-country Running, Swimming
Winter Sports: Basketball, Ski/Snowboard, Curling
Spring Sports: Badminton, Golf, Mountain Biking, Rugby, Girls Soccer, Track & Field
Falcons Athletics

FSS Course Selection - Grades 10-12

Sparwood

The community of Sparwood is located less than 30 minutes from Fernie and the Fernie Alpine Resort. Sparwood is one of the highest-elevation towns in Canada and is known for the coal mining that takes place on a large scale in the nearby mountains. Sparwood has 4,200 residents.

Distance from school to downhill ski area: 38 kms

Community amenities and clubs:

Sparwood Secondary School

Grades: 7-12
Number of students: 300
Semester (grades 10-12) and Linear (grades 7-9)
Popular Courses: Active Living, Fitness and Conditioning, Law Studies, Contemporary Indigenous Studies, French
Fall Sports: Boys Soccer, Volleyball, Cross-country Running
Winter Sports: Badminton, Basketball, Ski/Snowboard
Spring Sports: Archery, Golf, Mountain Biking, Girls Soccer, Track & Field
Sparwood Athletics

SpSS Course Selection Handbook

Revelstoke

A busy and pretty city set in the Columbia Mountains. — Photo: Revelstoke by Don Weixl / KootenayRockies.com

The city of Revelstoke, with a population of 8,500, is an active community situated on the edge of Mt. Revelstoke National Park and just west of world-famous Glacier National Park. The city is well known for its access to outdoor recreation activities, particularly those involving mountains and snow! Revelstoke Mountain Resort is globally known for its amazing powder and for having the largest vertical descent of any ski area in North America.

Distance from school to downhill ski area: 6 kms

Community amenities and clubs:

Revelstoke Secondary School

Grades: 8-12
Number of students: 400
Blended (semester and linear courses)
Popular Courses: Criminology, Environmental Science, Entrepreneurship and Marketing, Social Justice, Automotive Technology, Skateboarding, Volleyball
Fall Sports: Boys Soccer, Volleyball, Mountain Biking, Cross-country Running
Winter Sports: Badminton, Basketball, Curling, Ski/Snowboard
Spring Sports: Golf, Mountain Biking, Girls Soccer, Track & Field

RSS Course Descriptions - Grades 9-12

Sicamous

Sicamous, with a population of 3,500, is a popular four-season vacation destination. Its location on the shores of both Mara and Shuswap Lakes helped the community earn the title of Houseboat Capital of Canada. Additionally, the community is located in one of North America’s most popular snowmobiling areas; therefore, Sicamous is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream year-round! Residents and visitors of this bustling small town have the opportunity to snowmobile, golf and boat all in the same day during certain times of the year.

Distance from school to downhill ski area: 80 km to Revelstoke

Community amenities and clubs:

The amenities of Salmon Arm are located just 20 minutes away by car!

Eagle River Secondary School

Grades: 7-12
Number of students: 150
Semester (grades 10-12) and Linear (grades 7-9)
Popular Courses: Current Events (Socials 11), History through Film, Renewable Energy, Mechanics, Art Metal, Financial Literacy, Psychology
Fall Sports: Volleyball
Winter Sports: Basketball
Spring Sports: Track & Field

ERS Course Selection - Grades 9-12

Salmon Arm

The city of Salmon Arm, with a population of over 21,000, is located on the Trans-Canada Highway midway between Calgary and Vancouver. Nestled between mountains, valleys and the beautiful Shuswap Lake, it is an ideal destination for hiking, biking, and water sports. Cross-country skiing and horseback riding are also popular. Salmon Arm has lots of shopping, restaurants and services for students to explore and enjoy. SilverStar Mountain Resort in Vernon is approximately an hour and 15 minutes away by bus.

Distance from school to downhill ski area: 75 kms

Community amenities and clubs:

Salmon Arm Secondary School

Grades: 11-12
Number of students: 600
Semester
Popular Courses: Marketing & Promotion, Dance, Musical Theatre, Game Design, Japanese, Music Composition, Rock Band, Yoga & Wellness
Specialized Programs: French Immersion
Fall Sports: X-Country Running, Volleyball, Football, Boys Soccer
Winter Sports: Skiing, Snowboarding, Wrestling, Basketball, Curling
Spring Sports: Mountain Biking, Ultimate, Golf, Tennis, Rugby, Track and Field, Badminton
SAS Athletics

SAS Course Selection - Grades 11-12

JL Jackson Secondary School

Grades: 9-10
Number of students: 650
Blended (semester and linear courses)
Popular Courses: Robotics, Entrepreneurship and Marketing, Drama, Power Technology, Japanese
Specialized Programs: French Immersion, Mountain Biking Academy, Outdoor Adventure and Design, Challenge Achievement Mentorship Program
Fall Sports: Cross-country Running, Football, Volleyball
Winter Sports: Basketball, Wrestling, Ski and Snowboard, Curling
Spring Sports: Rugby, Track & Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Mountain Biking, Girls Soccer, Badminton, Golf
JLJ Athletics
JLJ Clubs

JLJ Course Selection - Grades 9-10

Enderby

Surrounded by five lakes and the Shuswap River, Enderby is known for a variety of outdoor activities like tube floating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The famous Enderby cliffs are a popular hiking destination. Agriculture, forestry, retail, tourism, and a vibrant First Nation’s community form the backbone of this delightful small city of approximately 4,000 people. There is weekend bus service to Silver Star Mountain Resort in Vernon, BC.

Distance from school to downhill ski area: 50 kms

Community amenities and clubs:

The amenities of Salmon Arm are located just 15 minutes away by car!

A.L. Fortune Secondary School

Grades: 7-12
Number of students: 300
Semester (grades 10-12) and Linear (grades 7-9)\
Popular Courses: Basketball, Volleyball, Auto Mechanics, Fashion Design, Contemporary Music, Drumline
Specialized Programs: Hockey Academy (1^st Semester)
Fall Sports: Volleyball, Cross-Country Running
Winter Sports: Basketball, Ski & Snowboard
Spring Sports: Golf, Track & Field

ALF Course Selection - Grades 10-12

Armstrong

Armstrong is a fantastic choice for students who want a unique Canadian experience in a central location. Known as the “Heart of Country,” Armstrong is a friendly town of 5,000 people, with ample recreational activities including horse stables and riding lessons, skateboard park, soccer fields, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, farmers market, and country fairgrounds. The North Okanagan Ski Bus allows students to reach SilverStar Mountain Resort in under an hour. The nearby city of Vernon provides easy access to lots of shopping and other city amenities and is just a short 20-minute drive from Armstrong.

Distance from school to downhill ski area: 44 kms

Community amenities and clubs:

Pleasant Valley Secondary School

Grades: 9-12
Number of students: 500
Blended (semester and linear courses)
Popular Courses: Baking, Engineering 10, Automotive Technology, Dance, Musical Theatre, Local Politics, Statistics
Specialized Programs: Hockey Academy (1^st semester)
Fall Sports: Volleyball, Boys Soccer
Winter Sports: Basketball
Spring Sports: Boys Rugby, Girls Soccer, Track and Field, Golf

PVSS Course Selection - Grades 10-12

With so many great RMISP schools to choose from, deciding which one to attend can be a really difficult decision! All our schools and communities have something truly special to offer, you just need to figure out which community is best for you. Rest assured, all RMISP schools are committed to academic excellence, and students in all communities have access to a local homestay coordinator, monthly program activities and community amenities like ice arenas, tennis courts and swimming pools. If you have a specific interest or request, contact us for more information or view our comparison chart PDF:

Schools and Communities Comparison Chart

Schools and Communities

Explore our communities:

Golden

Golden Secondary School

Invermere

David Thompson Secondary School

Kimberley

Selkirk Secondary School

Cranbrook

Mount Baker Secondary School

Laurie Middle School

Fernie

Fernie Secondary School

Sparwood

Sparwood Secondary School

Revelstoke

Revelstoke Secondary School

Sicamous

Eagle River Secondary School

Salmon Arm

Salmon Arm Secondary School

JL Jackson Secondary School

Enderby

A.L. Fortune Secondary School

Armstrong

Pleasant Valley Secondary School

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