Rockway’s International Student Program has been running for over 40 years with students from all over the world. As an international student studying at Rockway, you will not only experience another culture, you will also improve your English speaking and writing skills and prepare yourself to further your studies in a North American university or college.
Our international students are fully integrated into student life and are encouraged to get involved in all aspects of #LifeAtRockway, including: volunteering at events, participating in sports, dramas and music ensembles as well as Student Council.
Message from the Principal
Thank you for considering Rockway for your international high school experience. Rockway is an inclusive Christian school with over 300 domestic and international students. Our small school size allows us to create a sense of community for our students while providing an outstanding academic program. We have a lot of experience with international students, as we’ve been running our program for over 40 years!
Rockway is an accredited private school in the province of Ontario. Our academic program is recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Education and we follow curriculum guidelines provided by the Ministry. Students who successfully complete high school will receive the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) which allows them to apply for university or college.
International Students at Rockway are consistently accepted into the university program of their choice, in schools such as: University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, McMaster University and Western University to name a few.
Rockway teachers and staff work alongside students to help them achieve their OSSD requirements. Our students are prepared for the academic skills necessary to gain entrance into university programs such as: Engineering, Math, Computer Science, Medicine, Business, Arts, Architecture and Science.
By attending Rockway, you will:
- experience an excellent academic program with small class sizes
- have opportunities to participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities and events
- improve your English skills while learning in a new culture and making new friends
- receive personalized support from our full-time, in-house International Student Program Manager
- increase your global awareness while strengthening your personal values
We hope this section of our website answers the questions you may have about Rockway’s International Student Program. Please feel free to reach out to our International Program Team with any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you!
Josh Hill,
Principal
International Student Program Team
Sheri Wideman
Director of Admissions & Recruitment
Ms. Wideman coordinates domestic and international student recruitment. She was a teacher at Rockway for 15 years, and is the proud mother of three Rockway alumni. In addition to English, she speaks fluent French and Japanese. She travels twice a year to support our agents, meet with future families and connect with our current International Rockway parents. Ms. Wideman has a B.A. in East Asian Studies from McGill University and a M. Ed. in Second Language Education from the University of Toronto. For more information, you can email her at: admissions@rockway.ca
Jill Sauer
International Student Program Coordinator
Ms. Sauer coordinates Rockway’s International Student & Homestay Programs. She gets to know each student personally and provides day-to-day support as needed. In this unique, full-time role, Ms. Sauer offers social and emotional support to international students ensuring they feel confident and ready to fully take part in the Rockway Experience. Ms. Sauer is a Rockway alumna, class of 1988, and mother or two Rockway alumni. She has a B.A. in Social Work from the University of Waterloo. For more information, you can email her at: jills@rockway.ca
About our International Student Program
Video Testimonials
International students who study with us experience not only academic success, but also a deep sense of community and support. The best way for you to learn about this, is to hear it from international students and parents themselves. We invite you to take a few minutes and view one of the following videos in English, with language-specific subtitles and then read the testimonials of some of our recent graduates.
Additional Translations:
“Rockway’s warm and welcoming environment created a loving and inclusive community for me as an international student. Everyone is encouraged to meet new people and get involved. Playing sports, performing in choir and the play and working on the yearbook gave me a rich and colourful high school experience.”
Jessica Li, Class of 2022
University of Waterloo, Global Business and Digital Arts, Honours Co-op Program
“Rockway is a place where I could push myself in every aspect of my life. In my journey, Rockway taught me three core values: to cultivate healthy relationships; to be more aware of personal, communal and global issues; and to balance that with living your best life.”
Jonathan Lam, Class of 2021
University of Waterloo, Computer Engineering
Homestay Program
Your Canadian “Home away from Home”
Rockway supports our international students through a Homestay Program, run by our full-time, in-house International Student Program Coordinator. Unlike other schools, Rockway does not have dorms for students. Instead, we build a sense of family and community by selecting experienced, compatible, local families with whom our international students live, creating a “home away from home” environment.
Rockway international students participating in the Homestay program will be:
- welcomed into a household like a member of the family
- provided a safe, supportive and comfortable household
- given help to navigate daily life in Canada by their Host Family
- supported in navigating student life by the International Student Program Coordinator
- encouraged to participate in Rockway community events
“I chose Rockway’s Homestay Program for my daughter because my friend shared how well the host parents took care of his daughter. If any parents want to prepare their child to be more independent, Rockway’s Homestay Program will provide a good and safe environment for them to develop their personality and self-management”
Wendy Kwong, Rockway Class of 1991,
Parent of Yoanna, Rockway Class of 2023
“We are immensely grateful to Janice and Time, Jeffrey’s remarkable host family, for their unwavering support. They embraced Jeffrey as part of their own family, creating a nurturing home away from home.”
May and Ronnie Sung,
Parents of Jeffrey, Rockway Class of 2023
International Student Fees
Tuition, Homestay, Custodial and Additional Fees
Rockway’s fees are set by the Board of Directors in the fall preceding the year of entry. The fee is reflective of the costs associated with a Rockway education and the realities of the marketplace.
- International Student Tuition: $30,100 CAD
- Tuition is non-refundable unless a student is unable to obtain a student visa, in which case a letter from the Canadian Embassy stating the visa application has been refused is required and all fees, except a $1000 administration fee, will be refunded
- International Mennonite students will receive a $2,000 subsidy
- Tuition is non-refundable unless a student is unable to obtain a student visa, in which case a letter from the Canadian Embassy stating the visa application has been refused is required and all fees, except a $1000 administration fee, will be refunded
- Homestay Fees: $14,000 CAD for the school year (10 months). This includes a room and three meals per day.
- All Rockway international students must live with either a host family, a notarized guardian or adult relative(s)
- Students living with a notarized guardian or adult relative(s), are exempt from the Homestay fee
- *a notarized guardian must be a Permanent resident of Canada or a Canadian citizen
- Custodial Fee: $2750 CAD per year
- Students living with a notarized guardian or adult relative(s), are exempt from Custodial fee
- Students living with a notarized guardian or adult relative(s), are exempt from Custodial fee
- Activity Fee: $3750 CAD
- For students living with a notarized guardian or adult relative
- For students living with a notarized guardian or adult relative
- Additional Fees:
- Books: $750 CAD a school year (approximately)
- All Rockway students purchase their textbooks from Rockway
- Health Insurance: $750 CAD for the school year
- Airport Pickup/Drop off: $375
- New Student Fee: $3,500 (paid only once)
- Books: $750 CAD a school year (approximately)
- General Refund policy:
- NO tuition, Homestay or other fees will be refunded if a student:
- discontinues classes during the school year OR
- is asked to withdraw from the school because of behaviour deemed unacceptable by the school or host family OR
- has irregular attendance OR
- shows inattention to his/her studies
- NO tuition, Homestay or other fees will be refunded if a student:
How To Apply to Rockway
Application Process for an International Student
Thank you for considering Rockway as your International High School Experience. Now that you are ready to apply to Rockway, you can begin the three step application process:
Step 1: Complete an Inquiry Form
- Complete and submit the Inquiry Form by clicking the button below:
- Once complete, you will then receive an email asking you to create a password in our admissions software
Step 2: In your admissions software account, you will:
- complete an application form and pay a $400 CAD non-refundable application fee by credit card
- upload the following supporting documents:
- Report cards from the last two year (in English please)
- Copy of your passport
- Copy of your childhood immunization records
Step 3: Admissions Interview
- Members of Rockway’s Admissions Team will conduct the interview with the applicant (in English)
- English and Math assessments will be conducted during the interview
Step 4: Admissions Decision
- Applicants will be informed of Rockway’s Admissions Team decision within two weeks of the interview
- A successful applicant may receive an offer of admission along with a Conditional Offer of Acceptance
- Should the applicant accept the offer, parents will be required to sign the contract, make full payment of tuition, Homestay fees (if applicable) as well as a one-time New Student Fee
- Once Rockway has received the signed contract and required payment, the applicant will receive an Official Letter of Acceptance and be enrolled at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate
- Upon enrollment, Rockway’s International Student Program Manager will continue the process e.g. course selection, Homestay arrangements (if applicable) and general enrollment preparation
