Rocky Mountain School District

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The Rocky Mountain International Student Program (RMISP) provides students from around the world with the opportunity to live and learn in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. School districts participating in the program include School District No. 6 (Rocky Mountain), School District No. 10 (Arrow Lakes), and School District No. 19 (Revelstoke). RMISP is designed to maximize the study abroad experience by fostering friendships between Canadian and international students in dedicated host schools committed to academic excellence, cultural exchange and English language acquisition. While students generally begin in the program in September and February other start dates can be accommodated.

RMISP is dedicated to activating and exploring the unique recreational opportunities afforded by the world-class mountain locations of its three host school districts. Unique elective courses like Outdoor Education and Ski Patrol offer our international students amazing experiential learning opportunities. Other popular elective courses include Forensic Science (CSI-type course), Equine Studies (horses in high school), Culinary Arts (chef training), Digital Media and Web Design, SuperFit, Firefighting, and Tourism. Sports academies include ice hockey, soccer, and volleyball.

Program Details

Program Established: 1987

Programs Offered: Full Year, 1 semester, Short Term, Summer Camp, Winter Camp

Specialized Programs: French Immersion, Advanced Placement, Sports

Educational Programs offered in: English

Total number of schools: 25

High schools for international students: 6

Total Students: 4900

Total International Students: 130

International Students Accepted for Grades: 6-12

Nearest Airport Canadian Rockies International Airport and Calgary International Airport

Location

Students are placed in the towns of Kimberley, Invermere, Golden, Nakusp, New Denver, and Revelstoke. All six are beautiful mountain communities with easy access to world-class recreational opportunities including amazing downhill skiing and snowboarding at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Panorama Mountain Resort, and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Our host communities are safe, friendly towns where nearly 100% of the population speaks English.

Accommodation

Students requiring homestays are placed with carefully-selected host families within walking distance of their schools or a designated school bus stop. All of our homestays are safe, clean, pre-screened Canadian family homes. Placements are supervised and supported by a designated Homestay Coordinator in each community.

Our host families are an integral part of the International Student Program in School District No. 6. Their active and enthusiastic participation in our program enhances each student's cultural experience and ensures they maximize their time in Canada. All host parents take a specially-designed TESOL workshop to help support the English-language acquisition of their student while at home.

Activities

The Rocky Mountain International Student Program sponsors a wide variety of activities, events and trips designed to maximize each student’s cultural and recreational experience. There is at least one free activity or trip each month, including: a welcome BBQ party and river rafting experience in September; a trip to Banff and Calgary, AB, also in September; a Halloween festival at a heritage town in October; a Canadian five-pin bowling party in November; a Christmas ice-skating party in December; a ski/snowboard day in January; a snowshoe and/or dog sledding day in February; a trip to West Edmonton Mall in March; an adventure skills and hot springs swim day in April; a wetlands canoe trip in May; and a year-end BBQ beach party in June. Additional fee-based trips and activities are offered as well, including a trip to Toronto, an NHL hockey game, a professional rodeo, and more.