1967 Bright Street, Rosseau, Ontario, P0C 1J0, Canada
1305 Taylor Way, West Vancouver, British Columbia, V7T 2Y7, Canada
5,715.9 km
7,659.7 km
1967
1979
135
60
7 to 12
Preschool to K
Coed
Coed
Boarding, Day
Day
English
English
Academic
Progressive
Montessori
15 to 18
Varies
In-class adaptations
$22,700 to $32,700
$8,100 to $18,720
$55,170 to $66,300
Yes
No
10%
0%
6 to 12
None
$10,000
$0
23
15
67%
0%
85%
95%
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Preschool, K
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
information not available
Rolling
Not available
Rolling
Not available
Yes: grades 6 - 12
No
No
No
“It’s a small school in all the best ways: intimate, active, and personal. … In addition to mastering the core curriculum, students are asked to consider how they can serve their communities, and they are given ample opportunities to do just that.”
“ … there isn’t a sense of being pushed from class to class, discipline to discipline, whenever the bell rings. Instead, there is time offered to get into a task and stay with it. The dissection of a frog, for example, might take a whole afternoon. This is a school that believes in the value of taking time, that learning is an experience to be savoured.”
“It’s true that every school is unique, though that’s especially true here. In so many ways, it’s one of a kind, beginning with the integration of outdoor education into all aspects of student life.”
Read The Our Kids Review of Rosseau Lake College
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Throughout its life, Rosseau Lake has forged its own path, its own tradition, which itself is a primary draw for students and faculty alike. It’s true that every school is unique, though that’s especially true here. In so many ways, it’s one of a kind, beginning with the integration of outdoor education into all aspects of student life. The Seven Generations program, too, is a model for others to follow. And on it goes. The students come because they want an education, yes, but also because they are looking for more. They want to be engaged, to find a place within a community of kindred spirits. They intend to go on to post-secondary studies, though they also understand that school should never be only a stepping stone to some future accomplishment. The school rightly prides itself on graduating students who have a strong sense of identity as learners, are able to describe who they are, and analyze the experiences they’ve had. And while many schools will say those kinds of things, Rosseau Lake can actually point to them. In addition to earning a degree, students leave having spent the equivalent of two months on outtrips. They’ll have paddled canoes, tied knots, and, for many, travelled the world. Despite the small size of the school and its location beyond urban centres, they will also have learned alongside others from diverse communities around the world and down the street. As alumni invariably say, they will have also gained a profound sense of community, having experienced how important they can be to a group, just as they’ve been lifted by it. Both Graham Vogt and Cheryl Bissonette noted to us that Rosseau Lake may not be “the school for everyone,” but, in many ways, perhaps it should be.
View full reportA close partnership between educators, families, and the broader school community is central to Gatehouse Montessori School. Combined with low student-to-teacher ratios and a strong sense of belonging, this collaborative approach helps create a nurturing environment where young learners can develop the confidence and skills needed for future success. The school's programs are designed around the Montessori three-year learning cycle for children ages 3 to 6, a period widely recognized as foundational to a child's development. Within carefully prepared Montessori classrooms, students engage in hands-on learning experiences that encourage self-directed discovery. Through work in the core Montessori areas of Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language, and Culture, children build academic skills while developing social awareness, responsibility, and self-motivation. The school seeks to support students' emotional, social, physical, and intellectual growth while also focusing on curiosity, creativity, and positive relationships. Teachers act as guides, helping children learn to explore ideas independently within a supportive environment.
View full report
"This is my first year here and I can tell you for sure, there is nothing like it."
robi pardo - Student (Feb 08, 2018)
If you are looking for a school where teachers care about the students, and treat them like friends ... View full review
"an incredible outdoors, future forward, and inclusive school"
Christopher Gan - Student (Feb 08, 2018)
Rosseau Lake College is an incredible outdoors, future forward, and inclusive school. Personally I l... View full review
"Teachers were fantastic, engaging"
Barbara Barclay - Alumnus (Feb 09, 2018)
I attended RLC in the 90's, for grades 9-13 (OAC) and had a wonderful experience. The dorm experien... View full review
"Our family's experiences have been wonderful, especially because of the teachers both of my children have had, who created this environment for our family."
Anisha Somji - Parent (Jun 03, 2026)
We have a great relationship with the teachers, as they always make our children feel welcome and br... View full review
"All I wanted was for my daughter to feel safe and learn in a nurturing environment, which she has at Gatehouse."
Naya Ladha - Parent (Jun 08, 2026)
We truly feel blessed to have found Gatehouse. The learning environment, teachers and the community ... View full review
"Rosseau Lake College is an independent co-ed day and boarding school in Muskoka, where learning extends beyond the classroom and a close-knit, lakefront community shapes a different pace of student life. Students are known, supported, and guided as they develop belonging, personal growth, and self-regulation through academics, outdoor education, athletics, and leadership opportunities. They graduate with confidence, independence, and the readiness to succeed in post-secondary education and beyond."
"For over 47 years, Gatehouse Montessori School has provided a warm, nurturing, and enriching learning environment for children on the North Shore. As a non-denominational, not-for-profit society, we are dedicated to maintaining the outstanding quality and reputation our school is known for. Led by experienced Montessori administration and certified Montessori and ECE educators, we foster independence, confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning."
"A key aspect of our program is outdoor education. In many people’s minds, outdoor education is synonymous with outdoor adventure and athletics. That’s one aspect of what RLC offers: education of the outdoors, learning how to paddle and swim and climb; experiencing the satisfaction of reaching a goal.
It’s also education for the outdoors: learning about the environment, about what is happening to the ecosystems.
And it’s education in the outdoors. The campus—forest, fields, lake, watershed—is essentially a 56-acre STEAM lab. You can test ideas here. Newton’s laws describe the motion of canoes just as they do a block descending an inclined plane. You can be inspired here. The natural setting brings a unique calm and focus.
In all, we believe that outdoor education delivers the skills that post-secondary programs and employers are looking for: problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, teamwork, observation, synthesis, communication, and calm."
"Gatehouse Montessori School differentiates itself through its authentic commitment to the Montessori philosophy, delivered with consistency over more than 47 years of practice. Guided by trained AMI educators, we provide a true Montessori environment where learning is structured around five interconnected areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Cultural Studies.
Rather than following a standardized, age-paced curriculum, children learn through hands-on materials within a 3-year mixed-age cycle. This allows each child to progress at their own developmental stage, with educators carefully observing and introducing lessons when readiness is demonstrated.
We intentionally prioritize depth, focus, and independence over overstimulation or fast-paced instruction. Enrichment such as French and music is thoughtfully integrated to complement core Montessori learning without disrupting continuity."
"Our commitment to offering a personalized, holistic admissions process and maintaining small class sizes means we invest heavily in nurturing relationships over rapid expansion. This ensures we maintain a close-knit community that truly supports each student's development, but it may limit the number of students we can accommodate. Additionally, our focus on outdoor and experiential programs sometimes requires more resources and time than conventional teaching methods."
"Gatehouse Montessori School makes intentional choices about how children learn. We prioritize depth over speed, allowing sustained engagement with materials rather than rapid coverage of content. Children spend time mastering concepts through hands-on work instead of moving quickly between activities.
We emphasize collaboration over competition. Students are not ranked or compared, but learn within a mixed-age environment where peer learning and mutual respect are central.
In balancing tradition and innovation, we favour time-tested Montessori materials over early reliance on technology. We believe strong foundations are built through concrete, tactile experience.
We also prioritize calm structure over high stimulation, supporting concentration, independence, and self-regulation.
These choices develop confident, self-directed learners with strong foundational skills."
"Rosseau Lake College was established in 1967, the year of Canada’s Centennial. The founders were of course aware of that, and in a sense the creation of the school was a centennial project. In a letter announcing the appointment of R. H. Perry as headmaster the board wrote, “As Canada prepares to enter its second century, there is a pressing need to equip its future citizens socially, morally, and intellectually so that they may meet the challenges of ensuing decades with courage, intelligence and understanding.” The letter ends by saying that the school intends to “do its modest share to help young Canadians face the post-centennial years.” It’s important that the founders were thinking in that way—thinking to the future, and to the needs of the students in their ability to meet that future. Ever since, that kind of thinking has been what has guided the mission of the school."
"Founded over 47 years ago, Gatehouse Montessori School was established with a clear commitment to authentic Montessori education. This early focus on a child-centred, hands-on approach continues to shape the school’s identity today.
A key milestone has been maintaining fidelity to the Montessori philosophy, including the use of trained AMI educators and the 3-year classroom cycle. Rather than following changing trends, the school has remained consistent in how it supports children’s development.
Over time, Gatehouse has evolved thoughtfully to meet the needs of modern families, introducing enrichment such as French and music in ways that complement, rather than disrupt, core Montessori learning.
This balance of consistency and intentional growth defines Gatehouse as a stable, trusted Montessori environment."
"For us, the ideal student is one who is willing to try something new and to be open to new discoveries. The academic program at RLC seeks to maximize a sense of personal discovery. It’s the difference between spotting an owl on a trail walk and seeing it at the zoo: the bird is impressive in both scenarios, but the experience is vastly different. We want our students to see the owl, not because we show it to them, but because they discover it for themselves. That’s metaphorically true–discovery and experience is at the heart of our academic delivery. It's also literally true–there really are trails, and students really do see owls. At the end of the day, we believe that outdoor education is uniquely able to deliver that sense of discovery. We also feel it delivers the skills that post-secondary programs and employers are looking for: problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, teamwork, observation, synthesis, and communication."
"Gatehouse Montessori School is an excellent fit for children who are naturally curious, observant, and benefit from a calm, structured environment that supports independence. Students who thrive here are those who are willing to engage deeply with hands-on materials, work at their own pace, and develop concentration over time.
Our program is particularly well-suited to children who may not thrive in fast-paced, highly directive settings, but instead benefit from individualized guidance and the opportunity to build confidence through self-directed learning.
Families who value consistency, respect, and a thoughtful approach to early education will find strong alignment with our philosophy. Those who appreciate long-term development over quick results, and who trust in a child’s ability to grow with guidance rather than pressure, tend to get the most out of the Gatehouse experience."
"We might advise a family against choosing Rosseau Lake College if their child prefers a highly traditional educational environment that relies heavily on conventional classroom settings, with a strong focus on rote learning. If a student is not open to engaging with nature or participating in outdoor activities, they may find it challenging to appreciate our experiential learning approach. Additionally, families seeking a large school environment with sizeable class sizes might find our close-knit community and personalized attention to be a departure from their preferences. Lastly, if a family is not supportive of the inclusion of diverse perspectives, including Indigenous teachings, or if they do not value global citizenship initiatives and cultural exchanges, they may not fully align with our school's values and mission"
"Families looking for fast-paced programs with constant activity changes or high levels of external stimulation may find our calm, focused classrooms to be a different experience than expected.
In addition, those who prefer early and extensive use of technology in the classroom may find our emphasis on hands-on, material-based learning to be more traditional.
Our program is best suited to families who value independence, consistency, and a thoughtful, developmentally grounded approach to early education."
"Families often choose Rosseau Lake College for our unique blend of strong academic programs and experiential learning in a natural setting. Our commitment to small class sizes and personalized attention ensures students receive tailored support, fostering meaningful relationships. Parents appreciate our inclusive and diverse community, where over 20 nationalities are represented, and the holistic admissions process that focuses on each student's potential. Our innovative programs, like Outdoor Education and global initiatives, offer students opportunities for personal growth and leadership development."
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"We have a lot that distinguishes us, the most obvious being that we're on a 56-acre property on the edge of a pristine lake in Muskoka. The region is home to some of the original Ontario summer resorts, and a nearby are the Windermere and the JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka. Given the celebrities who have homes here, the New York Times has called Muskoka the “Malibu of the north,” (if thankfully quieter and more reserved than the Malibu of the south).
That said, our greatest distinction within independent schooling in Canada—and many would argue our greatest advantage—is scale. When people talk about small schools, they’re typically thinking of enrolments of a few hundred. Today at 130 students, we’re the smallest independent school in Canada. That’s intentional. Our students benefit from being visible and known to all staff, peers, mentors, and parent volunteers. They feel part of a community that wants to see them succeed. Because of that, we believe that small is beautiful."
"Gatehouse Montessori School is widely regarded as a warm, nurturing, and well-established Montessori community where children experience meaningful growth. In the public eye, the school is known for its caring, professional educators and its authentic Montessori approach, with a strong emphasis on independence and individual development.
Families often associate Gatehouse with noticeable progress in their children’s confidence, social-emotional development, and learning skills. The calm, welcoming environment and thoughtfully prepared classrooms are frequently highlighted as key strengths.
The school is also recognized for fostering a positive and engaging experience for children, where they feel excited to learn and share their daily experiences. Overall, Gatehouse is seen as a trusted, supportive environment that leaves a lasting impact on early childhood development."
"One underappreciated aspect of Rosseau Lake College is our commitment to integrating Indigenous teachings and perspectives throughout our curriculum. This initiative not only enriches our educational approach but also fosters a community of understanding, empathy, and respect among students and staff, preparing them for a diverse and interconnected world."
"One of the most underappreciated aspects of Gatehouse Montessori School is the level of intention and planning behind each child’s learning experience. While families notice the calm classrooms and independent work, the depth of observation, record-keeping, and individualized lesson planning is often less visible.
Our educators carefully track each child’s progress, prepare detailed reports for kindergarten readiness, and introduce materials at the right moment based on readiness. This ensures learning is both personalized and purposeful.
The mixed-age classroom is another element that may seem simple but plays a key role in fostering peer learning, leadership, and collaboration.
Over time, families come to understand that these quieter, less visible practices are what support meaningful growth, independence, and long-term success."
"I think one thing that families don't expect is that we're in a typical Muskoka village. Truly, the experience of the village of can be a pinch-me kind of moment. There’s a bakery, a post office; there’s a farmer’s market, people walking their dogs at dusk, children jumping off the municipal dock on a late spring day. The Rosseau General Store has been operating here since incorporation, and the creaking, worn wooden floors are a charming reminder of its age. (Celebrity sightings are common, too, particularly in the General Store, given the cottages in the area.) In history, and feel, and that sense of community and safety, the village of Rosseau is a unique and delightful aspect of where we are and who we are. True, the village isn't a factor in our academic program, but it's a very important aspect of the student experience. Ask alumni about their time at RLC, and you'll invariably hear about how wonderful it was to spend those years in a charming village by a lake in Muskoka."
"Families are often surprised by the depth of learning that takes place within our calm and structured environment. At first glance, the classrooms may appear quiet and simple, but over time, parents begin to see the level of focus, independence, and problem-solving children develop through hands-on Montessori work.
Another common surprise is how quickly children build confidence and take ownership of their learning. Tasks that may seem small- such as caring for materials, completing work independently, or helping peers-contribute to a strong sense of responsibility and self-assurance.
Families are also often struck by how much their children enjoy the experience. Children frequently share what they’ve learned, from new concepts to songs and daily activities, reflecting a genuine engagement with their environment.
Over time, what may have initially seemed understated reveals itself as a highly intentional and impactful approach to early education."
"Recently, Rosseau Lake College has continued to enhance our facilities and programs to better serve our students. We are in the process of developing a new iSTEAM building, which will provide state-of-the-art resources for our innovative curriculum. These improvements, along with our ongoing focus on outdoor education and global citizenship initiatives, demonstrate our dedication to providing exceptional learning experiences in a supportive environment."
"As of 2025, we introduced a structured summer program, allowing families the option to remain enrolled year-round rather than closing for the summer. While separate from our Montessori academic program, the summer program focuses on outdoor play, creative activities, and flexible, theme-based experiences in a more relaxed setting.
We have also continued refining classroom routines to support longer, uninterrupted work cycles and greater consistency across classrooms. In addition, we have strengthened staff collaboration and professional development to ensure high-quality, consistent practice. These updates reflect our commitment to providing stability for families while maintaining a strong, focused Montessori program during the academic year."
"In the next five years, Rosseau Lake College will continue to evolve by enhancing our campus facilities, including the new iSTEAM building, to support innovative academic programs. We aim to strengthen our global citizenship programs, maintaining our position as a leading choice for families seeking dynamic and inclusive education."
"Over the next five years, we plan to continue strengthening consistency and quality across all classrooms while maintaining the integrity of our Montessori program. Our focus will be on refining classroom practices, enhancing staff training, and ensuring a consistently calm, well-prepared learning environment for all students.
We also aim to further develop our enrichment offerings, including seasonal programs to better support the needs of our families. As our community grows, we will prioritize thoughtful, sustainable expansion while maintaining small class sizes and strong teacher-child relationships. Our goal is to build on our existing foundation, ensuring every child continues to receive a focused, high-quality, and supportive early learning experience."
“We are all one drum and we need each other” – Richard Wagamese from One Drum
Our incredible natural setting along with our small, cohesive community establishes a sense of home, belonging and immersion. We truly live, learn, and explore through authentic relationships.
Nestled among the pines on a pristine 56-acre historic lakefront property in traditional Anishinaabeg territory, Rosseau Lake College offers a boarding and day school experience that is like no other in Canada.
Students at Rosseau Lake College develop transferable dispositions that transcend time and place by understanding who they are and what they can achieve.
Our Discovery Projects represent our student centric beliefs. Students are able to express themselves, explore their passions, and demonstrate their curiosity and intellectual skills.
The Seven Generations and Rosseau Roots foundations are integrated into all we do along with our amazing Outdoor Learning. Students are immersed into academic pursuits that are integrated, meaningful and incorporate values, curiosity, our natural setting and relationships.
Rosseau Lake College is unparalleled in our natural environment and small school size. We truly are connected to each other, our land, and our values. We have without a doubt an extraordinary school and experience that is a privilege to experience.
When students graduate from RLC they have developed the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take on any challenge. They are ready for anything.
“Being immersed in our majestic, close knit campus is an incredible privilege. We are unique, proud, and joyful. Students develop character, personal expression and meaningful relationships with the land, self and others. Learning transcends time and place so students develop an everlasting sense of belonging and an understanding of who they are and what they can achieve.”
– Dave Krocker, Head of School
I am proud to lead a Montessori school where children are given the time, space, and guidance to grow at their own pace. We focus on creating a calm, respectful environment where children feel secure, capable, and genuinely engaged in their learning.
Our role as educators is to observe carefully, support thoughtfully, and provide meaningful experiences that build independence and confidence over time. We work closely with families to ensure consistency between home and school, and we value open communication and partnership.
Most importantly, we want children to feel happy coming to school each day, and to leave with a strong foundation not only academically, but also in how they think, solve problems, and interact with others.
Montessori
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Progressive (sometimes called "in- quiry-based") curricula attempt to place children's interests and ideas at the heart of the learning experience. Instead of lessons being driven by predetermined pathways, progressive curricula are often "emergent", with learning activities shaped by students' questions about the world. Instead of starting with academic concepts and then tying it to everyday experience, progressive methods begin with everyday experience and work back to an academic lesson. Teachers provide materials, experiences, tools and resources to help students investigate a topic or issue. Students are encouraged to explore, reflect on their findings, and discuss answers or solutions.
Particularly popular in the younger grades (preschool to elementary), but sometimes available all the way up to high school, Montessori schools offer an alternative vision to the standard lesson format of most classrooms. Instead of listening to whole-class lessons, Montessori classrooms allow students to choose which "tasks" or activities interest them. These tasks centre around special Montessori puzzles - their essential feature being they contain a right answer and allow for selfcorrection. A strong emphasis is therefore placed on lessons being concrete and rooted in practical experience, along with students developing a sense of self-sufficiency, confidence and curiosity.
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Rosseau Lake College is a preparatory school that challenges and empowers each student individually through the rigours and adventures of a highly academic program; one that is intentionally rooted in the vast opportunities of nature and our incredible geographical setting. Our teachers are relentless in the maintenance of our kind, caring and supportive personalized learning community while continuously innovating practices and approaches that make us a leading outdoor-education, environmental, indigenous-knowledge-based and experiential school. Students graduate from Rosseau Lake College with a strong sense of self according to each of our six Rosseau Roots, and the knowledge and skills that will allow them to truly thrive in the next phase of life. Our mission is to connect students’ lives to the natural world, enriching their education, health, wellbeing and personal development with a focus on cross-curricular project based learning, diverse learning strategies, and building skills and competencies for the future. Nature is present in every aspect of the school’s operations and is central to, and deeply embedded in, the school’s culture.
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These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
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At the forefront of all subject areas in our Academic Program is building a love of subject through "real world" applications and experiences. At Rosseau Lake College we also work to explore the relevance and meaning of topics through the adventure of the outdoors and our natural, geographical setting. All of this is balanced by challenging and supporting our students with only the highest level of curriculum as offered through the Ontario Ministry of Education. Mathematics at Rosseau Lake College maintains an overall balanced approach of intentionally building a foundation of skills and knowledge while helping students to discover creative applications.
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Programs that balance systematic and process approaches equally likely have an emphasis on giving young students ample opportunities to write, while providing supplementary class-wide instruction in grammar, parts of sentences, and various writing strategies.
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Inquiry-based science emphasizes teaching science as a way of thinking or practice, and therefore tries to get students “doing” science as much as possible -- and not just “learning” it. Students still learn foundational scientific ideas and content (and build on this knowledge progressively); however, relative to expository science instruction, inquiry-based programs have students spend more time developing and executing their own experiments (empirical and theoretical). Students are frequently challenged to develop critical and scientific-thinking skills by developing their own well-reasoned hypothesis and finding ways to test those hypotheses. Projects and experiments are emphasized over textbook learning. Skills are emphasized over breadth of knowledge.
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Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
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These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
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Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
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The Thematic approach organizes the curriculum around certain themes or cultural universals. Students might spend time focused on food. Then they might focus on transportation or government, and so on.
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Pragmatism in the humanities and social sciences emphasizes making learning relevant to students’ present-day experience. Assignments tend to centre around projects and tasks rather than argumentative essays; these projects will often have a “real-world” application or relevance. There might be more of a social justice component to a pragmatic program, though that isn’t always the case. Subjects like history and philosophy are still covered/offered, but they play a less prominent role in the overall program than in the case of perennialism. The social sciences (contemporary geography, sociology, psychology, etc), meanwhile, might play a more prominent role in pragmatic programs. The key goals are to make learning progressive and relevant, while teaching students real-life skills and critical thinking.
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These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
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Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
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Creative arts programs are studio-driven. While historical works and movements may still be taught to add context to the program, students mainly engage in making art (visual, musical, theatrical, etc). The goal is use the actual practice of art to help educate students’ emotions, cognition, and ethos.
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Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
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Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
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Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Rosseau Lake College offers an active outdoors education program which makes great use of our 56 acre campus with over 3000 feet of shoreline on beautiful Lake Rosseau in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. Climbing, paddling, hiking, camping, and outdoor pursuits and skills are developed in each grade (7 - 12).
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Montessori
Montessori programs aimed at preschool and Kindergarten- aged children allow young learners to choose which “tasks” or activities interest them. These tasks centre around special Montessori puzzles -- the essential features of these puzzles being they contain a “right answer” and allow for self-correction. A strong emphasis is therefore placed on learning being concrete and rooted in practical experience, along with children developing a sense of self-sufficiency and confidence. Specially trained teachers act as guides, introducing children to progressively more difficult materials when appropriate. A Montessori classroom is typically very calm and orderly, with children working alone or, sometimes, in small groups.
If you want to learn more about Montessori education, check out our comprehensive guide. You can also check out our guide to Montessori preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.
Our program follows an authentic Montessori philosophy inspired by Dr. Maria Montessori, focusing on child-led, hands-on learning in a carefully prepared environment. We offer a three-year mixed-age cycle (ages 3–6), supporting continuity, independence, and confidence-building. Preschool children engage in practical life, sensorial, language, and early math materials that develop concentration, coordination, and foundational academic skills. Learning is enriched through outdoor exploration, cultural studies, music, French, and fine arts. In Kindergarten, children enter the final year of the Montessori cycle, where they deepen literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving through advanced materials, journaling, and collaborative project work. Older students also mentor younger peers, strengthening leadership and social-emotional growth. Our extended-day structure provides consistency and additional enrichment opportunities throughout the school day.
Standard-enriched
Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.
Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.
Our Montessori environment uses multi-age classrooms, flexible groupings, and individualized learning plans to support each child’s development. Students work at their own pace within a structured three-year cycle, receiving guided instruction, small-group lessons, and extended independent work periods that allow mastery, confidence-building, and differentiated progression across all learning areas.
Supportive
A school with a “supportive” academic culture focuses more on process than short-term outcomes: academic performance is a welcomed side-benefit, but not the driving focus. This does not mean the school lacks standards, or has low expectations for its students: a school can have a supportive academic culture and still light the fire of ambition in its students. It does mean, however, the school provides a less intensive culture than schools with a “rigorous” academic classification, and is focused more simply on instilling a love of learning and life-long curiosity.
A school with a “supportive” academic culture focuses more on process than short-term outcomes: academic performance is a welcomed side-benefit, but not the driving focus. This does not mean the school lacks standards, or has low expectations for its students: a school can have a supportive academic culture and still light the fire of ambition in its students. It does mean, however, the school provides a less intensive culture than schools with a “rigorous” academic classification, and is focused more simply on instilling a love of learning and life-long curiosity.
Our academic culture is supportive, child-centred, and focused on fostering a lifelong love of learning. We emphasize mastery, independence, and motivation that comes from genuine interest rather than external pressure or comparison. Children progress through a carefully prepared Montessori environment at their own developmental pace within a structured three-year cycle, receiving individualized guidance and high expectations appropriate to their stage of learning. Teachers observe closely, provide targeted lessons, and support each child in building confidence, concentration, and competence across all learning areas. Academic growth is seen as a natural outcome of meaningful engagement, hands-on exploration, and consistent encouragement. We prioritize curiosity, resilience, and a positive relationship with learning, ensuring children feel both supported and appropriately challenged.
"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
"We intentionally avoid all forms of public distinction between students in terms of academic performance."
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
Balanced
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
Emotional
The goal is to cultivate "emotionally intelligent and confident individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."
Our developmental priority is to cultivate intellectually curious, capable, and independent thinkers who take ownership of their learning. Through a Montessori environment, children develop strong foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, and critical thinking through hands-on, self-directed exploration. Equally important, we aim to nurture socially responsible individuals who are respectful, collaborative, and aware of others. Mixed-age classrooms encourage mentorship, cooperation, and empathy, helping children learn to contribute positively within a community. Our goal is to support children in becoming confident, thoughtful learners who are capable of making informed decisions, working effectively with others, and approaching challenges with resilience, curiosity, and respect for themselves and those around them.
CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
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Badminton |
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Baseball |
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Basketball |
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Canoeing/Kayaking |
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Cricket |
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Cross-country skiing |
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Cycling |
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Downhill skiing |
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Equestrian |
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Fencing |
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Field Hockey |
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Figure Skating |
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Football |
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Golf |
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Gymnastics |
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Ice Hockey |
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Ice Skating |
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Lacrosse |
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Martial Arts |
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Mountain biking |
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Racquet Ball |
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Rowing |
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Rugby |
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Running |
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Sailing |
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Skateboarding |
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Snowboarding |
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Soccer |
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Softball |
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Squash |
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Swimming |
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Tennis |
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Track & Field |
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Volleyball |
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Weightlifting |
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Wrestling |
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Archery |
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Curling |
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Ultimate |
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
6 - 12
10%
0%
$10,000
$0
85%
95%
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Preschool, K
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Not available
Rolling
Not available
Yes: grades 6 - 12
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes: grades 6 - 12
No
No
No
Rosseau Lake College is looking for students who are well-rounded individuals and those who demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership, service, extracurricular involvement.. and those who love being in the outdoors.
Students who thrive in our program are curious, independent, and comfortable engaging in hands-on, self-directed learning. We look for children who show emerging responsibility, are able to participate in group settings with respect, and can follow simple routines within a structured Montessori environment. A willingness to explore, concentrate on tasks, and engage with materials is important. We value children who are kind, socially aware, and able to work cooperatively with peers in a mixed-age classroom. Success is best supported when families are aligned with Montessori principles and support independence, consistency, and respect for the learning process at home as well as at school.
Step 1. The Paperwork
Application Form, Teacher Reference Form, Academic Records from previous two years, and a non-refundable application fee of $200 CDN for Canadian students / $330 CDN for International students.
Step 2. The Interview
Once the paperwork is received and evaluated we schedule an interview. This can be done via video conference (zoom).
Step 3. The Entrance Test
Every applicant must complete an entrance test. The test is used to assess the student's fluency in math, their English comprehension and writing ability.
Step 1 – Book a tour (Parents only)
Give us a call or schedule a tour via the link below to come in and get to know us better. We will explain our program to you and give you a tour of the school. You will also get an opportunity to observe a classroom in action. This visit will also allow you to ask questions regarding your child and their education.
An application package will be provided to you at the end of the tour for your review.
Step 2 – Submit the Application and Payment
The application package includes all the forms and information you will need to register your child in our program. The required forms will need to be completed along with the deposit which consists of the application fee ($215), activity fee ($300) and one-month tuition. Please refer to our fee overview for further detail.
Step 3 – Child comes for a visit
We will also invite you to bring your child for a tour of the classroom environment. This will potentially be their home away from home for the next few years and that initial tour is an opportunity to get to know the classroom, meet the teachers and most importantly, watch their eyes light up at the sight of the Montessori materials
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1967 Bright Street, Rosseau, Ontario, P0C 1J0, Canada
1305 Taylor Way, West Vancouver, British Columbia, V7T 2Y7, Canada