By TERRY PUGH
Student enrolment at Rosthern Junior College (RJC) has nearly doubled over the past five years; from about 60 students in 2019-20 to 120 students in 2025-26.
The school also re-introduced Grade 9 for this academic year, the first time it’s been offered since 1969.
It’s a trend the president of the historic, provincially-accredited high school attributes to its strong focus on academics, smaller class sizes and all-round student support services.
“Quality of education is the foundation for our school,” said RJC President Ryan Wood. “We 100 per cent teach the Saskatchewan curriculum, but within that curriculum we also offer enrichment opportunities for students to explore in music, athletics and the arts. Parents and students are looking for places where they can have opportunities for faith-based education from a Christian perspective; but at the same time they also want a very strong academic grounding that prepares them for post-secondary studies and leadership roles in society.
“We’ve focused on programming and student wellness over the past few years, and it’s been very rewarding and successful,” Wood continued. “But now we need to turn our attention to upgrading and renovating the buildings where that programming happens.”
Wood said the Grade 9 through 12 private school is currently in the early stages of an extensive, and expensive, project aimed at rejuvenating the facility to meet the needs of the 21st century. The total cost of the upgrades is estimated at about $10 million and includes improvements to the main school building as well as the student dormitory and dining hall.
The private school has deep roots in Rosthern – going back 120 years.
Founded in 1905 as the German English Academy, its first permanent home, the dignified red brick building which now houses the Rosthern Museum, was built in 1910.
In 1946, the name was changed to Rosthern Junior College, but it still retained its core Mennonite faith focus.
Ten years later, in 1956, students moved out of the stately old-fashioned two-storey brick building into a newly-constructed one-storey brick school. In 1962, the school was expanded to include a gymnasium and another classroom wing. That was followed by another major expansion in 1973, when the current dormitory and dining hall were added. The addition of the dormitory allowed the school to accommodate students from across the province, as well as from other parts of Canada and overseas.
During the ensuing years, the school has seen ups and downs in enrolment, but its high academic standards have remained constant, according to Wood.
“We’ve been faithfully serving our constituency and the area for over 100 years,” he said. “And we want to continue to do that. We’re proud of our heritage and we want to keep it going; and the most responsible way to move it forward is to ensure our building keeps up with the strength of our program and meets the needs of students today and into the future.”
Wood noted that in 2023, the RJC board of directors commissioned an independent study by a structural engineering firm, aodbt architecture + interior design, to undertake an assessment of the facility.
The engineering firm found that the building, which is between 50 and 70 years old, was structurally sound.
But, it also needed a lot of replacements and upgrades to critical components. The engineers’ report identified electrical and mechanical deficiencies, leaky roofs, aging heating systems and outdated bathrooms as areas needing attention sooner rather than later.
For the past few years, the school has undertaken several projects, including replacing the roofs of the gymnasium, chapel and dormitory, as well as replacing the school boiler with a modern system.
There’s still lots left to do, however.
“The engineers’ assessment found that the bones of the building are great, but they do need a significant upgrade,” said Wood. “We were glad to hear that we don’t have to tear anything down. To build a completely new building would be extremely expensive; but we believe we can raise funds through donations to help us meet our goal to upgrade this historic school. We have a lot of support in the local community, and also beyond our borders; and we’re inviting people to partner with us for the betterment of future generations.”
Wood said as a high school that teaches from the Christian perspective, RJC places value on faith, service, leadership, and community in the education of its students.
He noted the school works in partnership with community organizations, including the Station Arts Centre, to offer cultural programming. He said RJC is also involved in all Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association (SHSAA) sports including football, volleyball, basketball and others.
“We have a very high degree of student participation in SHSAA-sanctioned sports,” said Wood. “About 85 per cent of our students are involved in a sport; many in more than one.”
The school offers drama, art and music programming.
“We have a vibrant arts and music program,” said Wood, adding that RJC has a long legacy of hosting a Broadway-style musical every year.
“We sell over 1,000 tickets to that event,” said Wood. “We also have a strong band program, and the RJC Singers perform at many venues in the area.”
He concluded that one of the biggest keys to the school’s longevity and relevance is its commitment to students’ well-being.
“The overall environment at the school is different because of the focus on students,” he said. “Students and parents alike enjoy the after-school programming. Because we have a dormitory, our school is open every evening, and our students can enjoy the extra-curricular activities, use the gym and hang out. For teenagers, it’s important to have a place to gather that’s safe, secure and welcoming.”