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:
- Town of Golden
- Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
- Tourism Golden
- Mountain Biking in Golden
- Golden Golf Club
- Alleycat Bowling
- Confluence Climbing Gym
- Dirtbag Climbing
- Stages School of Dance
- Kicking Horse Gymnastics Club
- Golden Minor Hockey
- Golden Minor Soccer
- Kicking Horse Movies
- Golden Figure Skating Club
- Freeride Ski Team
- GKHAT Ski Racing (14-15 year olds)
- Golden Nordic Club
- Golden Youth Centre
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
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:
- District of Invermere
- Panorama Mountain Resort
- Invermere Tourism
- Columbia Valley Recreation - list of all sports activities in Invermere
- CV Little League Baseball
- J.A. Laird School Climbing Wall
- Peaks Gymnastics
- Windermere Valley Minor Hockey
- Martial Arts
- Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club
- Windermere Valley Ski Club Racing Programs
- Mountain Biking in the Columbia Valley
- United Dance Studio
- Columbia Valley Skating Club
- Columbia Valley Swim Club
- Summit Youth Centre
- Golf Courses in Invermere
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
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:
- Kimberley Alpine Resort
- Kimberley Aquatic Centre
- Kimberley Indoor Tennis Courts
- Tourism Kimberley
- Kimberley Library
- Kimberley Alpine Team (U12-U16)
- Nordic Race Team
- Kootenay Dance Academy
- Kimberley Figure Skating Club
- Kimberley Speed Skating Club
- Kimberley Minor Hockey
- Kimberley Dynamiters (Junior Hockey League)
- Kimberley Soccer
- Spirit Rock Climbing Gym
- Bowling at Elks Club
- Gym 67
- Kimberley Trap and Skeet Club
- Mountain Biking in Kimberley
- Kootenay Freewheelers (mountain biking community)
- Kimberley Arts Council
- Golf Kimberley/Cranbrook
- Windover Ranch (horse ranch between Kimberley and Cranbrook)
- Pat Pighin's International Equestrian Centre
- Volleyball in Kimberley BC | Facebook
- Kimberley Seahorse Swim Club Home
- Scouts Canada - Kimberley
- Girl Guides - Kimberley
- Lee Haskell-Spark Youth Centre
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
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:
- City of Cranbrook
- Kimberley Alpine Resort
- Cranbrook Tourism
- Key City Theatre
- Cranbrook Community Theatre
- Cranbrook Arts
- Rockies Rowing Club
- Arq Climbing Gym
- Landmark Cinemas
- Encore Bowling
- Cranbrook Bucks Hockey Team
- Cranbrook Minor Hockey
- Cranbrook Minor Ball (Baseball)
- Mountain Biking in Cranbrook
- Cranbrook Archery Club
- Community Basketball
- Cranbrook Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Cranbrook Shotokan Karate
- Rocky Mountain Martial Arts
- Kootenay East Soccer Association
- Rocky Mountain Rams Football
- Badgers Lacrosse
- Key City Gymnastics
- Stages School of Dance
- Kootenay Dance Academy
- Aspire Dance Academy
- Figure Skating
- Cranbrook Tritons Swim Club
- Golf Kimberley/Cranbrook
- East Kootenay Volleyball Club
- Dressage & Show Jumping Coach
- Windover Ranch Equestrian
- Horizon Equine School
- Pat Pighin's International Equestrian Centre
- Youth Impact
- Cranbrook Pickleball Club
- Cranbrook Badminton Club
- Kootenay • 4-H British Columbia
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
Fernie
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:
- City of Fernie
- Fernie Alpine Resort
- Tourism Fernie
- Fernie Skating Club
- Fernie Ski Racing
- Fernie Nordic Club
- Fernie Golf Club
- Fernie Mountain Bike Club
- Fernie Minor Hockey
- Fernie Youth Soccer Association
- IDEAL School of Music & Arts
- Motion Dance Academy
- Elk Valley Gymnastics
- Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club
- Fernie Volleyball Club
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
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:
- District of Sparwood
- Fernie Alpine Resort
- Sparwood Tourism
- Sparwood Recreation Programs
- Elk Valley Minor Hockey
- Sparwood Cross-country Skiing
- Sparwood Skating Club
- For the Love of Dance Sparwood
- Sparwood Air Cadets
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
Revelstoke
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:
- City of Revelstoke
- Revelstoke Mountain Resort
- Tourism Revelstoke
- The Cabin Bowling Lanes
- Trans-Canada Fitness Centre
- Revelstoke Acrobats
- Revelstoke Skating Club
- Revelstoke Nordic Club
- Revelstoke Ski Club (Racing and Freeride)
- Revelstoke Community Theatre
- Revelstoke Community Choir
- Revelstoke Community Band
- Revelstoke Mountain Biking
- Revelstoke Youth Soccer
- Revelstoke Aquaducks Swim Club
- Stoke Youth Network
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
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:
- District of Sicamous
- Shuswap Tourism
- Sicamous Minor Hockey
- Mountain Biking Trails
- Eagle Valley Arts Council
- Eagle River Golf Course
- Shuswap Rowing and Paddling
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
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:
- City of Salmon Arm
- Salmon Arm Recreation
- SilverStar Mountain Resort
- North Okanagan Ski Bus to SilverStar
- Salmon Arm Tennis Club
- Lakeside Bowling
- Momentum Gymnastics
- Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)
- Salmon Arm Minor Hockey
- Salmon Arm Skating Club
- Shuswap Dance Center
- Just for Kicks Dance Studio
- Provincial Martial Arts Karate and Kickboxing
- Salmon Arm Jiu Jitsu
- Shuswap Youth Soccer
- Shuswap Minor Lacrosse
- Salmon Arm Golf Club
- Shuswap National Golf Course
- Cross-Country Ski Racing
- Salmar Theatres
- Shuswap Air Cadet Squadron
- 4-H Salmon Arm
- Shuswap Climbing Gym
- Shuswap Rowing and Paddling
- Columbia Shuswap Selkirks Swim Club
- Spa Alp Equines
- Watson-Wilson Performance Horses
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
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:
- City of Enderby
- Enderby Recreation
- Shuswap Tourism
- SilverStar Mountain Resort
- North Okanagan Ski Bus to SilverStar
- North Okanagan Minor Hockey Association
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 (1st Semester)
- Fall Sports: Volleyball, Cross-Country Running
- Winter Sports: Basketball, Ski & Snowboard
- Spring Sports: Golf, Track & Field
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:
- City of Armstrong
- Armstrong Tourism
- Claudia Zurmuhle Equestrian
- Epik Eklipse Equestrian
- Legacy Equestrian
- On Stride Equestrian
- Indigenous Tourism
- North Okanagan Ski Bus to SilverStar
- SilverStar Mountain Resort
- North Okanagan Minor Hockey Association
- 4-H Armstrong
- Caravan Farm Theatre
- Artistry in Motion Dance Company
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 (1st semester)
- Fall Sports: Volleyball, Boys Soccer
- Winter Sports: Basketball
- Spring Sports: Boys Rugby, Girls Soccer, Track and Field, Golf
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