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Rosseau Lake College

Canada, Rosseau

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 140
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1967
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum
Taught languages French
Typical class size 18
Strengths STEM, Outdoor Education, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Middle School, High School
Introduction

Rosseau Lake College is a co-educational day and boarding school located on a 56-acre lakefront campus on Lake Rosseau, Muskoka, about 2.5 hours north of Toronto. Established in 1967 and co-educational since 1983. It follows the Ontario Curriculum and awards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) on completion of 30 credits. Beginning Sept 2024, students in Grade 9 or 10 must complete a Technological Education credit. The program emphasises inquiry-based, experiential learning and outdoor, hands-on education aligned with Ontario requirements. The campus includes four gender-specific boarding houses, a lakefront dining hall, a Recreation Centre (2025), and a STEAM Complex (6800 sq ft) with four labs and a central hub. Extracurriculars span arts, athletics, leadership, and global citizenship through Round Square and Rosseau Roots program. Round Square membership enables international conferences, service projects, and exchanges. The campus also promotes Indigenous knowledge through Rosseau Roots and active outdoor education year-round programs together.

1967 Bright Street, Rosseau, Ontario P0C 1J0, Canada

The Essentials

Rosseau Lake College has 140 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
1967 Bright Street, Rosseau, Ontario P0C 1J0, Canada (Located at Hwy 141 & Bright Street in Rosseau).

Stages
Grade 7 through 12.

Type
Co-educational day and boarding school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
23 nationalities represented; 50/50 international to Canadian students.

Additional learning support
English Language Learning (ELL) program; Student Success program with an Individual Student Strategies (ISS) Plan and accommodations.

Country affiliation
Canada

School day structure
A daily morning community circle begins the day; the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum guides the academic program, and class sizes are small; learning emphasizes experiential education and outdoor learning.

Bus service
Daily transportation is available for day students from Bracebridge, Huntsville, Parry Sound, and Port Carling; monthly fee CAD 285.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school offers on‑campus boarding in four houses: Brock, Bricks, Clarkson, and Lakeview. Boarding includes male and female boarding options, with a gender‑inclusive boarding house available starting in September 2024. Dormitories are shared with mixed‑age dorms to foster mentoring and social development. Each house has a Houseparent who takes responsibility for social and academic development and for the conduct, cleanliness, and safety of the living spaces.

Uniform Requirement
The uniform can be purchased from InSchoolwear; the uniform fee is CAD 700 to CAD 1,000 depending on the number of pieces ordered. There are three uniforms.

Food Options
RLC provides three meals a day, seven days a week. Weekly menus are designed by Chef Jolene Jacklin with fresh and local products used where possible; a daily salad, soup, and sandwich bar is offered. Dietary needs, allergies, and medical conditions are accommodated.

House System
There are four boarding houses: Brock, Bricks, Clarkson, and Lakeview. Dormitories are mixed‑age and largely shared to support mentoring and social development. Starting in September 2024 a gender‑inclusive boarding house is available; students can apply to live there with parent or guardian permission.

Governance and Ownership
Rosseau Lake College is governed by the Rosseau Lake College Board, a volunteer body that provides policy guidance, strategic direction, and financial oversight. The board acts at arm's length from the Head of School, who handles day‑to‑day operations. Board members are nominated or elected by the board and bring expertise in finance, contracting, law, risk management, and fundraising.
Fees
Application / Enrollment fees

- Enrollment (non-refundable) fee: Day students — CAD 2,000; Domestic boarding students — CAD 3,000; International boarding students (2025–26 figure shown on the international page) — CAD 4,000.

Application fee

- No separate, explicit application fee amount is published on the school's public admissions pages; the school lists the non-refundable enrollment fee charged on acceptance. (See note at the end about unavailable per-term/application-fee detail.)

Tuition fees by student type and academic year

- Day students (Tuition Fees 2026–27)
- Full year: CAD 28,200.
- Enrollment fee (non-refundable): CAD 2,000.
- Daily transportation (optional): CAD 285 per month.

- Domestic boarding students (Tuition Fees 2026–27)
- Five-day domestic boarding: CAD 68,650 (annual).
- Full domestic boarding (seven-night): CAD 76,300 (annual).
- Enrollment fee (non-refundable): CAD 3,000.
- Sibling discounts: 10% for second child, 15% for third child, 20% for fourth and subsequent child.

- International boarding students (Tuition Fees shown for 2025–26 on the international admissions page)
- Full year (2025–26): CAD 83,000 (annual).
- Enrollment fee (non-refundable, 2025–26): CAD 4,000.
- Note: the international admissions page also describes custodianship requirements and an in-house custodianship service fee for 2026–27 of CAD 800.

What tuition covers (scope)

- Tuition includes a rigorous academic program, on-campus meals, full boarding accommodations (for boarding fees), medical insurance (as specified by the school), laundry, and computer/technology services.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is billed under the school's payment plan structure; instalment months and the schedule are published by the Finance Office and payments are scheduled across the academic year (installment months are shown in the Financial Guide). Personal expenses and incidental charges are billed monthly to the parent/legal guardian account. Late/delinquent account procedures and timelines are set out by the Finance Office.

Boarding fees / boarding-related charges

- Boarding is included in the annual boarding tuition amounts above (boarding accommodations and on-campus meals are part of tuition). Additional boarding-related charges that may apply include transportation to/from Toronto on scheduled weekends/holidays (per-trip charge), short-term homestay on scheduled weekends (where applicable), and custodianship fees for international students. The international page specifies an in‑house custodianship service fee of CAD 800 (2026–27).

Other costs and recurring fees

- Uniforms: Classroom dress and 'Number Ones' uniform items — approximately CAD 700 to CAD 1,000 per year; athletic uniform items — approximately CAD 100 to CAD 200 per year (varies by items ordered).

- Personal expenses (incidental/extras): Day students — estimate CAD 1,500 to CAD 2,000 per year; Boarding students — estimate CAD 3,000 to CAD 3,500 per year (these cover optional activities, trips, extra meals off campus, instrument rental, personal spending). Personal expense charges are itemized monthly on student accounts.

- English Language Learner (ELL) / ELL Enrichment: a charge applies for international students who require ELL support (amount indicated in the Financial Guide as a separate fee when required). Custodianship (when required for study permit purposes) and short-term homestay on scheduled weekends are additional charges for international students, with approximate ranges published in the Financial Guide.

- Optional program/course fees: January/May term courses or courses with travel components may carry additional fees (range indicated in the Financial Guide). Musical instrument charges apply to students taking music.

Refund and withdrawal terms

- Withdrawals: Written notice of withdrawal must be provided to the Director of Enrolment Management.
- If written notice is provided before June 1, one full semester of the annual tuition is due and payable and will not be refunded.
- If written notice is provided after June 1, the full year's tuition is due and payable and will not be refunded.
- The one-time enrollment fee (deposit) is not refundable under any circumstances.

- Visa/Study Permit refusal: If Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) denies a study permit, the student will be granted a full tuition refund minus the enrollment fee, upon submission of official IRCC denial documentation.

Fee payment options and how to pay

- Accepted payment methods:
- Cheque — made payable to Rosseau Lake College.
- E-transfer — to the Director of Finance (Shelley Casey) at shelley.casey@rosseaulakecollege.com.
- Credit card — Visa or MasterCard (credit card processing requires several business days for processing as noted by the Finance Office).
- Wire transfer — via payer's financial institution to the school's banking details.
- The Finance Office publishes specific payment instructions and bank details. Delinquent accounts may incur late fees and progressive collection action if not resolved.

Sibling discount

- 10% discount for the second child; 15% for the third child; 20% for the fourth and subsequent child. This discount is applied to tuition as described on the admissions pages.

Concise note on unavailable per-term and application-fee detail

- The school publishes annual tuition amounts (2026–27 for day and domestic boarding; 2025–26 for international boarding). A per-term (e.g., per semester) numeric breakdown of tuition (exact dollar amounts per term) and a separately labelled public ‘‘application fee'' amount are not published on the school's public admissions pages; payment instalment schedules and the Finance Office's published payment plans indicate instalment months and billing processes instead. For enrolment/withdrawal/refund policies and payment-method details, the school's Financial Guide and the admissions pages provide the governing rules.
Academics

Rosseau Lake College teaches Canadian Curriculum.

Curriculum
Rosseau Lake College follows the Ontario Curriculum for secondary education and awards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) on completion of 30 credits. Grade 9–12 students complete compulsory credits, and starting September 2024 a Grade 9 or Grade 10 Technological Education credit is required for graduation. Courses are categorized by type with five designations: C (College), D (Academic), M (Mixed – College/University), O (Open), and U (University). The school offers University Preparation (U) and University/College Preparation as part of its program, along with other Ontario course types, within the 30‑credit OSSD framework. ESL support is provided by ESL specialists, with credits available for English language learners through intensive ESL instruction. The program emphasises inquiry-based, experiential learning and outdoor, hands‑on education aligned with Ontario requirements.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes

Higher Education Progression
100% of graduates are accepted at their top schools of choice in Canada, the United States, and beyond. Notable destinations include University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Ottawa, University of Edinburgh, and the University of Texas at Austin.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Rosseau Lake College integrates social-emotional learning into its health and well-being program. A circle of care supports students, with teachers, mentors, houseparents, and support staff involved. The school emphasizes relationships, balance, resilience, and well-being as foundations for learning. The Guidance team includes a Guidance Counsellor and a Student Success Coordinator who coordinate SEL supports. Culture of Belonging fosters student voice, leadership, and an inclusive community, with small class sizes that enable meaningful relationships. Wellness initiatives include weekly mindful moments and school-wide restorative practices.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Rosseau Lake College has a Circle of Care for students, supported by a team that includes a Student Success Coordinator, Advisor/Mentor, Boarding Life Team, Post-Secondary & Academic Advising Team, Teaching Team, Guidance Counsellor, Deputy Head of School, and families. Sarah Andras, OCT, serves as the Student Success Teacher and Special Education Specialist. Instructional accommodations include adjusted teaching strategies, scaffolded instruction, visual supports, clarified instructions, and guided practice. Assessment accommodations include extended time, alternative formats, quiet or reduced-distraction settings, assistive technology, and opportunities for re-demonstration. The Learning Strategies curriculum is embedded in the Foundation Years Program to support early preparation for higher levels of study.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The classroom becomes a space for collaboration and learning, and Rosseau Lake College offers a small, specialized English Language Learning program. The goal is to ensure true fluency and comfort in English. The ELL program serves a diverse population of non-native English speakers with activities, events, and learning opportunities to remove linguistic barriers in all areas of school life. Students learn to gather, interpret, and communicate information; establish and maintain relationships; build skills for high school and post-secondary success; and prepare for the OSSLT. Living on campus helps ELL students acclimate and participate in student life, including music, sports, leadership roles, and other activities.

Mental Wellbeing
Rosseau Lake College takes a holistic approach to mental health and wellness, aiming for balance, connection, and resiliency within the community. A proactive strategy focuses on promoting a climate of positive mental health and well-being and on building positive relationships with self, others, and the environment. Health and well-being encompasses factors such as healthy lifestyle choices, nutrition, physical education, outdoor activity, social-emotional learning, resiliency, executive functioning, awareness of supports, and mental health literacy. The health and wellness supports include a Director of Health Services, a Student Success Coordinator, a Guidance Counsellor, a Director of Boarding Life, Academic and Post-Secondary Advisors, and other staff. Wellness initiatives include Heart and Mind Day, a Wellness Room, a weekly mindful moment, wellness boards, school-wide restorative practices, mentor group meetings, fitness facilities, and connections to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice, along with Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.

Safeguarding
Rosseau Lake College provides safeguarding through a Circle of Care, delivered by teachers, mentors, houseparents, and support staff. The health and well-being framework is holistic and focuses on a climate of positive mental health and well-being. The safeguarding-supportive team includes a Director of Health Services, a Student Success Coordinator, a Guidance Counsellor, a Director of Boarding Life, Academic and Post-Secondary Advisors, and an Indigenous Seven Generations Program Coordinator, among others. These roles work together as part of the Circle of Care to observe, monitor, and support student safety and well-being. Wellness initiatives such as Heart and Mind Day, a Wellness Room, weekly mindful moments, restorative practices, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice initiatives reinforce a safe and supportive environment.
Parent Experience

History
Rosseau Lake College was established in 1967 as an all-boys' school on a rural property in northern Ontario on Lake Rosseau. The founding headmaster was R. H. Perry, appointed by the founding board; Roger Morris and Maurice East initiated the school's idea. The school began coeducational in 1983. The curriculum is delivered through an experiential program that uses the natural environment to enhance learning and to cultivate citizenship and stewardship. It is located about a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Toronto.

Community
Rosseau Lake College maintains a vibrant, inclusive community that welcomes students, families, alumni, and friends. Students participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, and residential life that support growth and belonging. The school hosts community events such as Fall Colours in September and Rhythm for Rosseau in December, which bring the on-campus and wider Muskoka community together, and it offers ongoing opportunities for visitors and prospective students through events like Student for a Day. Pow Wow, known as Seven Generations, is a spring campus celebration that highlights cultural programming.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Rosseau Lake College sits on a 56-acre lakefront campus in Muskoka, offering a boarding and day school experience. The campus comprises four gender-specific boarding houses and a lakefront dining hall. On the grounds you will find a climbing wall, cross-country ski and biking trails, a snowboard terrain park, basketball courts, sports fields, a swim dock, and a boat dock. The school is located about 2.5 hours north of Toronto, with close proximity to the village of Rosseau.

Sports Facilities
A sport court supports basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. There are playing fields for soccer and field hockey. An outdoor climbing wall and a snowboard terrain park are on campus. Students have daily access to watersports on the lake, including swimming, sailing, canoeing, and kayaking, with a swim dock and a boat dock. The Recreation Centre opened in 2025 and includes a modern fitness area, a multi-purpose gymnasium, dedicated wellness spaces, and collaborative lounges; the main gym can function as a basketball court, four badminton courts, or two volleyball courts.

Academic Facilities
The STEAM Complex provides 6800 square feet of learning space with four innovative learning labs, one science lab, and a central hub for collaboration. The project aims to connect students with the natural world, support interdisciplinary, project-based learning, and promote leadership in sustainability and indigenous knowledge in STEAM. The STEAM Complex is designed to be inclusive and barrier-free, reflecting Rosseau Lake College's commitment to diverse learning environments.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Arts, Athletics, Leadership and Service, and Global Citizenship are core components of Rosseau Lake College's co-curricular program. Arts programming includes music, visual arts, drama, and media arts, with opportunities through classes, clubs, performances, and arts events. Athletics are compulsory for all students and run year-round across Fall, Winter, and Spring, with varsity and recreational options and CISAA competition. Leadership and Service and Global Citizenship programs include leadership training, volunteer opportunities, service-learning projects, international exchanges, and global awareness initiatives. A broad range of clubs supports co-curricular life, including Arts Clubs (String Ensemble, Jam Band, Yearbook, Drama, Photography, Media Arts, Writer's Craft, Visual Arts, Textiles, Indigenous Arts, Traditional Drumming, Storytelling, Song Writing) and Other Clubs (Paddle Making, Chess, Sailing, Nordic Skiing, Cooking, Debate, and more).
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Math Contest Preparation and Computer Science are among the academic and intellectual offerings in the co-curricular program. Debate is available as an activity. The program also includes problem-solving oriented clubs such as Outer's Club (Climbing, Paddling, Orienteering) and Paddle Making, enriching analytical and practical skills beyond the classroom.

Arts & Creative
Arts opportunities cover music, visual arts, drama, dance, and media arts. Arts programming includes classes, clubs, performances, and arts events. Indigenous Arts and Traditional Drumming are among the disciplines offered, and students can participate in a variety of arts-based activities and showcases.

Cultural & Language
Rosseau Lake College participates in international exchanges and global citizenship opportunities through Round Square, connecting with peers worldwide. Round Square membership enables international conferences, service projects, and worldwide exchanges; recent exchanges have included Bahamas, Germany, and South Africa. Indigenous culture, history, and learning philosophies are integrated into everyday learning through Rosseau Roots, which emphasizes the Seven Grandfather Teachings of Indigenous cultures.

Social & Hobbies
The co-curricular program offers a variety of social and hobby clubs. Students can explore Paddle Making, Chess, Fishing, Sailing, Nordic Skiing, Nature Appreciation, Math Contest Preparation, Computer Science, Outer's Club (Climbing, Paddling, Orienteering), Cooking, and Debate. These activities foster friendships and provide outlets for personal interests outside the classroom.

Community & Service
Leadership training, volunteer opportunities, and service-learning projects are core to community life. Through Round Square service projects, students engage in action and reflection to address partner community needs. The program develops civic responsibility, teamwork, and a commitment to service.

Leadership & Professional
Student Leadership is cultivated through a leadership team structure with elected Prefects and a Head Prefect. All students participate in at least one leadership committee, with Prefects actively leading one committee and supporting others. The Head Prefect coordinates daily functions such as assemblies and communications, while Prefects model leadership through collaboration and project work.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Athletics are compulsory for all students and run year-round in Fall, Winter, and Spring, with varsity and recreational options. Fall athletics include field hockey, soccer, cross-country, sailing, and golf, plus recreational options such as canoeing, fishing, scuba diving, yoga, basketball, and lacrosse. Winter athletics include alpine and Nordic skiing and snowboarding, with recreational activities like health and fitness, dance, Zumba, hockey, skating, curling, badminton, and swimming. Spring athletics include ultimate frisbee, rugby, sailing, and golf, with recreational offerings such as canoeing, fishing, scuba diving, yoga, basketball, lacrosse, and softball; Outdoor Education weaves learning through the outdoors and includes a five-day canoe trip.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages include French as a Second Language and Ojibwe. English Language Learners (ELL) courses are available for non-native English speakers in Grades 7–10 to support language development; OSSLT and OSSLC are part of language assessments in Grades 10 and 12. French as a Second Language is offered as a credit under Ontario curriculum requirements.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
The school is a member of Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS).
Admissions

Admissions
Applications are now being accepted for January entry to the 2024-25 academic year, and for September entry to the 2025-26 academic year. Begin the application online. Submit a recent photo (passport or portrait). Provide a copy of passport, birth certificate, or status card if the student is a member of a First Nation, Métis, or Inuit. Include a student self-introduction with either a personal essay or a video essay. Provide report cards for the most recent two school years. If English is not the first language, submit one of the standard English test scores (Duolingo, CEFR, IELTS, or TOEFL iBT) to support personalized learning. An admission interview with the student and parents will be scheduled after all supporting documents are submitted. A decision of acceptance is issued by the school. For more information or to schedule a phone call, contact the Admissions Office at 705-732-4351 ext. 180 or admissions@rosseaulakecollege.com.

Scholarships
Entrance Scholarships are for new students applying for a scholarship opportunity in Grades 7-12. Scholarships are merit-based, not need-based, and may recognize strengths in academics, leadership, the arts, athletics, or community engagement. A limited number of scholarships are awarded; selected students may be invited to submit a short video essay highlighting leadership, engagement, and academic strengths, while reflecting on two Rosseau Roots or two Grandfather Teachings. Returning Students Scholarships are awarded in June to returning students who are nominated by the Rosseau Lake College Scholarship Review Committee, and are distributed as broadly as possible to the most deserving students. Bursaries provide need-based financial assistance to families who would otherwise be unable to send a child to RLC; bursaries are available to international and domestic students and are administered via the Tuition Assistance Committee using Apple Financial Services. Renewal applications for current students must be submitted by January 31st each year.
School Events
The school has not added events
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