REVIEW OF Rosthern Junior College High School BY Alum, Emma Greenwald

(4.5) Overall Experience

RJC creates an environment of community. I felt like I belonged there. Everyone was friends. The class schedule is set up in a way that allows for time at the end of the day to study, do homework or ask your teachers for help. This was a bonus for me. There is many events through out the year, that help you get to know each other and have a little fun. There is a couple of events that get you out in the community and volunteering. They have an AlSO trip where you travel, and volunteer in a different community. I learned a lot about the world in my trip to Alabama. All in all RJC is a positive place to go, and teaches you a lot about the real world. It opened my own perspectives.

(5) School Leadership

The students respected the administration and it was reciprocated. The staff was helpful with life struggles that come with living away from home and living with 30+ other students. The staff were fair and just in all their decisions regarding discipline. The staff were always willing to help out and encourage the students. They are would go beyond expectations to help you succeed, and even when you wanted to give up they did not give up on you. I left RJC more confident in myself because of the staff.

(4.5) Teaching

The teaching staff was phenomenal. It was more informal, and personal teaching then other schools. We called the teachers by their first names. The teachers were always willing to help and give feedback on what you could do to improve. The staff was passionate about what they were teaching, and you could tell each teacher wanted to be there. Richard Jamzen was one of the best teachers there, he helped me develop my love for singing and helped develop my skills in the dramatic arts. He never treated me any different than all the other students, and did not treat the ones who could sing better than those who were learning. He was welcoming and encouraging. He would understand and accommodate if you needed extra help. Ryan wood was another excellent teacher, he would listen to me. He would help me go through some tough life lessons, and was always willing to help with homework, and studying.

(4.5) Academics

The academic schedule allowed two times a day where you would get 30mins to do homework. In the afternoon you could find teachers to ask for help or work with classmates. In the evening study hour allowed for oh to work on group projects or ask classmates for help. I felt extremely supported academically. The academic schedule allowed for plenty of variety, there was many different art classes (art, theatre, choir), as well gym for each grade and then the more scholarly classes. You were in a bible studies class as well, and there was a tech class as well. For grade ten they had wood shop and home ec. The students were generally happy or excited to go to school, and felt calm and encouraged/confident.

(5) Extracurriculars

Everyone was encouraged to do one extracurricular per semester/season. No one was cut from the team, and everyone was allowed to participate, so there was no tryouts. The sports team was about working together and creating a bond. They did not put a huge emphasis on winning. They were happy whether we won or loss, and there was always people watching and cheering the games on no matter what. They had two times in the year where you could join theatre arts, everyone who auditioned got a part, and every part was seen as important

(4.5) Students

I would say half of the student body if not more had previous family members who had gone to the school. Most of the students had come from different schools throughout the province. They came to RJC so they could get away from bullying, and be themselves. The students were unique and came from all backgrounds; there was international students, students from poor and rich and middle class families, there were students of all ethnic backgrounds etc. There was only 75 students in the whole school, around 55 people lived in the dorms. The student body was welcoming, friendly and sincere. All students were driven and filled with hopes and dreams for a better future for themselves and society. The students all created close bonds with each other.

(5) School Life

I enjoyed every minute of RJC. They had many events that were fun. The ALSO trip was the highlight of my school year, I learnt many things down in Alabama. A lot of the students were passionate about something, and were driven for success. They require you to join a club, and each year in April you take a trip somewhere to volunteer. There is choirs to join, theater to join and many sports teams. These all look good on resume and on college applications. There is deans in the dorm, that are there to help you with anything you need, and the teachers are always there to listen about academics or your personal life. Each member of the staff was helpful, and like another parent to me. This improved my time at RJC as I did not feel alone and never had to deal with anything alone.

(3.5) Community

I have kept in touch with a few of my friends from RJC, and I have seen many of my former classmates succeeding around the world. Parents were always encouraged to come to school events, there was choir concerts four times a year for parents to come watch, and the parents were all involved in graduation. The community is always welcomed into the school. We had chapel everyday and often would have community members or alumni come in and talk to us about various topics. Four times in the year we get into teams and go around the community. We do fun games, that are also volunteering that helps the community. You get to know people in the community and they get to know you. You end up feeling like Rosthern is home, and you feel safe.

(4.5) School Location

The school is near a gas station that has a subway in it, many students would venture to this location for snacks or a meal in the weekends for something different. Many students would go out into the community to hangout with students from the public high school or with the students from RJC who lived in town. The grocery store, park, and other amenities were all within walking distance of the school. The church’s invited all students to attend their services if they wanted, and the community members were friendly.

(4) Admissions

The admission process was easy and helpful. I found it particularly helpful that I got a tour of the school, and dorms during this process. I met students, and staff during this tour, which gave me insight and information to help me decide if I would like it at RJC. They gave me all the information I wanted or needed, and were willing to answer all my questions. It was not a long process either, I heard from the school quickly after I submitted my application. Shortly after the tour, I was accepted into the school, and was given all the information I would need for the first day of school. The admission process was quick and not stressful. It was excellent and informative. The staff is willing to help.

(1.5) University placement and counselling

I do not recall having any discussions with the staff about college or applications or scholarships. I did this all on my own. They gave us information on different universities, but that is all that was given.