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Rothesay Netherwood School

Canada, Rothesay

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CA$29,100 - 90,030
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1877
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages French, Spanish
Typical class size 16
Strengths STEM, Outdoor Education, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Middle School, Secondary School
Introduction

Rothesay Netherwood School is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school located in Rothesay, New Brunswick. The school delivers an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Senior School (Grades 11–12) alongside a bespoke Middle School to prepare students for the IB pathway. The Senior School 9–10 program leads into the IB Diploma Programme, supported by an established Mentorship Program and a comprehensive student-support system that includes EAL, the Colin Mackay Library and Learning Commons, University Guidance, and language-testing for US and international applications. The 125-acre campus houses four Georgian-style residences, a Science Hall for STEM curriculum, a 400-seat dining hall, a 200-seat theatre, art and music studios, a Memorial Chapel, and wellness facilities. Extensive sports and recreation facilities include an indoor ice arena, multiple playing fields, tennis courts, squash courts, a running track and a gym with climbing wall. Round Square exchanges and an outdoor leadership program enrich the boarding experience.

40 College Hill Road, Rothesay, NB, E2E 5H1, Canada

The Essentials

Rothesay Netherwood School has typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English.

Location
Rothesay Netherwood School is located in Rothesay, New Brunswick, Canada, a town minutes from Saint John. The campus spans more than 200 acres overlooking the Kennebecasis River in the Kennebecasis Valley. The street address is 40 College Hill Road, Rothesay, NB E2E 5H1, Canada. The campus is on the traditional territory of the Wolastoqiyik and Mi'kmaq Peoples.

Stages
Middle School (grades 6-8) and Senior School (grades 9-12). The IB Diploma Programme is offered in Senior School for grades 11-12.

Type
Independent, co-educational, boarding and day school.

Additional learning support
Student Support Services include Learning Commons and the Colin Mackay Library. EAL support is available, and University Guidance assists with post-secondary planning; technology support and transcripts services are also offered.

Country affiliation
Canada

School day structure
Morning Chapel begins the school day at 8:15am (9:00am on Wednesdays). Breakfast is served 7:15-7:50 on most days, lunch 12:00-1:00, and dinner 5:00-7:00; on Wednesdays breakfast runs 7:00-8:30 and lunch 12:35-1:25.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Rothesay Netherwood School has four on-campus residences: Mackay (senior boys), Quinn (senior girls), Kirk (junior), and Netherwood (junior). All residences have common areas and laundry facilities; Quinn, Kirk and Netherwood have small kitchen facilities, and Kirk and Netherwood rooms have private washrooms in each double room. The boarding houses are staffed 24/7 by houseparents, with two houseparents per residence; about half of the student body are boarders.

Uniform Requirement
On class days, students wear the school uniform, with two dress options: #1 Dress or Classroom Dress; Fridays and special events are designated as #1 Dress days. #1 Dress includes grey dress pants or an RNS Black Watch kilt, an RNS-crested white dress shirt, calf-high black socks, black polishable dress shoes, a black belt, an RNS navy/green blazer, and a school tie. Classroom Dress uses grey dress pants or the kilt, an RNS-crested collared polo or dress shirt, a crested sweater or quarter-zip pullover, calf-high black socks (with kilt), black dress shoes, a black belt, and a navy/green blazer; Physical Education Dress is worn for PE classes.

Food Options
Meals are served in Heritage Hall, the school dining hall. Breakfast and dinner are cafeteria-style, while lunch is a formal meal where students and faculty sit together; boarders are expected to attend breakfast, lunch and dinner. Table manners are taught, and boarders are encouraged to follow a well-balanced diet.

House System
The school operates a four-residence house system: Mackay (senior boys), Quinn (senior girls), Kirk (junior), and Netherwood (junior). Each residence has common areas and laundry facilities; Quinn, Kirk and Netherwood have small kitchen facilities. Houseparents live on-site, with two houseparents per residence, and residences are staffed 24/7.

Governance and Ownership
Rothesay Netherwood School is governed by a Board of Directors and Governors. The Board consists of 15 Directors, with two ex-officio members: the Head of School and the Bishop of Fredericton. Directors and Governors are drawn from alumni, parents, past parents, and friends of the school.
Fees

Annual tuition at Rothesay Netherwood School ranges from CAD 29,100 to CAD 90,030 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration Fees

- New Student Registration Fee (non-refundable, due upon acceptance):
- Canadian students: CAD 2,500.
- International students: CAD 4,000.

Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts; all fees are charged in Canadian dollars)

- Day students:
- Grades 6–8: CAD 29,100 per year.
- Grades 9–10: CAD 31,040 per year.
- Grades 11–12: CAD 32,000 per year.

- Boarding students:
- Canadian Boarding (Grades 6–10): CAD 52,150 per year.
- Canadian Boarding (Grades 11–12): CAD 53,140 per year.
- United States Boarding: CAD 67,610 per year.
- International Boarding (Grades 6–10): CAD 89,000 per year.
- International Boarding (Grades 11–12): CAD 90,030 per year.

- International Day students:
- All grades: CAD 48,240 per year.

Per-term / payment-plan detail (billing structure and sample schedules)

- Deposit and plan structure:
- A deposit is required from new students upon acceptance; returning families must meet the returning-student deposit and payment deadlines. Deposits are applied against school fees.
- Common payment plan options used by the school include: an Annual Plan (payment in full by the specified early date), a multi‑installment plan (example: three-installment plan), and a monthly/extended plan (example: up to eight monthly payments). Specific installment amounts, due dates, and any interest built into extended plans are shown on the school's tuition payment schedule and in the fee sheets.

- Sample mechanics (illustrative examples of how plans are structured):
- Annual Plan: payment in full by the annual due date to avoid interest or premiums included in extended plans; early-payment discounts may apply when paying in full by the school's specified due date.
- Installment Plan: a registration/deposit payment is required up front, followed by two or more scheduled payments (dates depend on the plan chosen).
- Monthly Plan: deposit plus equal monthly payments (interest may be included in the total for monthly plans).

Deposit amounts and deadlines (payment timing)

- Deposit timing:
- New-student deposit: due upon acceptance.
- Returning-student deposit: required by the returning-student deadline (for the following school year). The published returning-student deposit deadline in the admissions materials is in February (specific calendar date provided by the school each year).

- Example deposit amounts (as published in the school's fee sheets for standard fee schedules):
- Canadian Boarding new-student deposit example: CAD 4,500 (deposit applied against the annual fee).
- International Boarding new-student deposit example: CAD 15,000 (deposit applied against the annual fee).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Deposits are non-refundable and are applied to the student's account. Returned or outstanding balances are billed according to the chosen payment plan. The Business Office issues billing details and schedules; families select a payment plan when completing enrollment paperwork.

- Tuition Refund Plan (insurance) and payment-plan requirements:
- Families who select monthly or installment payment plans are generally required to participate in the school's Tuition Refund Plan; families paying the full annual amount by the school's stated early deadline may sign a waiver to decline the Refund Plan premium.

Tuition refund and withdrawal policy

- Refunds following withdrawal from the school are calculated and credited to the family account by the Business Office. Core provisions include:
- Medical withdrawal with signed medical documentation: 80% refund (prorated based on attendance and less scholarship/bursary amounts where applicable).
- Withdrawal for other reasons (for example, family move, dismissal): 50% refund (prorated based on attendance and less scholarship/bursary amounts where applicable).

- Tuition Refund Plan premiums (charged annually unless waived under the full-payment option):
- Day students: CAD 525.
- International Day students: CAD 785.
- Canadian Boarding students: CAD 785.
- U.S. Boarding students: CAD 1,000. International Boarding students are ineligible for the Tuition Refund Plan and are not charged a premium.

Boarding fee inclusions and additional charges

- What boarding/day fees include (standard inclusions): academic program, supervised accommodation (for boarders), all meals for boarders, most textbooks and yearbook, use of recreational facilities, day-to-day health care, regular local travel for academic and athletic trips, and most outdoor leadership trips. Specific inclusions vary by student designation (day, boarding, international) and by fee schedule.

- Additional costs that may be charged separately (examples):
- Novels, workbooks and other retained learning materials.
- School‑approved laptop or device (students are required to have a school‑approved device; families purchase or lease separately).
- School uniform and school-dress items.
- Certain co‑curricular and athletic program fees (prep-level hockey, prep-level basketball and some varsity programs have season or program fees). Typical prep-program fees are shown in the fee sheets.
- Optional trips, athletic tournaments, athletic therapy, medical insurance where applicable, laundry/dry-cleaning beyond standard services, shuttle services, school photos, canteen purchases, and TIES or shop purchases.

- Specific program fees and examples (as published in the fee schedules):
- English as an Additional Language (EAL) program fee example: CAD 4,000 (where applicable).
- Sample prep-sport program fees have been published for certain seasons (examples cited in fee sheets include program fees in the mid-to-high thousands for specialized prep programs).

Family discounts and scholarships / bursaries mechanics

- Sibling discount structure applied to tuition in the same academic year:
- Second sibling: 10% reduction.
- Each additional sibling: 20% reduction.

- Scholarships and bursaries are administered separately (scholarships on merit; bursaries based on assessed financial need). Scholarship and bursary awards are deducted from total tuition and affect discount eligibility as described in the school's financial policies.

Fee payment options and banking details

- Accepted payment methods include:
- Credit card payments via a third‑party processor (Plastiq).
- INTERAC e‑Transfer to the school e‑transfer address.
- Online or telephone banking (bill payment).
- Wire transfers and bank deposits using the school's bank details.
- Cash or debit in person, cheque, money order, or bank draft.

- Banking and beneficiary details for wire transfers and bank deposits are provided by the Business Office; families are asked to confirm payments with the Business Office when using wire transfers as these can take several business days to be received.

Contact for billing and questions

- The Business Office and Director of Finance and Operations manage billing, deposits, payment plans and refunds; families should use the school's Business Office contact details to arrange payment, confirm account numbers, or request the detailed tuition and fee sheets and payment schedules.
Academics

Rothesay Netherwood School teaches IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum.

Curriculum
Rothesay Netherwood School offers Middle School andSenior School programs (Senior School 9-10 and Senior School 11-12). The Senior School 11-12 program features the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and includes a Mentorship Program. Grades 9-10 participate in a two-year program that prepares students for the IB Diploma Programme offered in Grades 11-12. EAL support is available, along with Learning Commons, the Colin Mackay Library, University Guidance, technology, and Transcripts as part of Student Support Services. University Guidance supports post-secondary planning, including information sessions, application steps, and language proficiency testing such as SAT for US applications and TOEFL/IELTS where appropriate.

Student Teacher Ratio
Low student-teacher ratios are noted as part of the academic program.

Higher Education Progression
Over the past five years, graduates have been accepted and enrolled in universities including University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Melbourne, University of Manchester, Université de Moncton, University of Washington, Williams College, University of Ottawa, University of New Brunswick, and York University among others.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides a caring, nurturing environment for personal growth within a close-knit community that values respect, courage, creativity, and community. Character, Courage, Creativity and Community are the four core values. The Wellness Centre and on-site health professionals support student wellbeing, with school nurses on site and a counsellor available. The school counsellor is Jillian Train, and spiritual guidance is offered by Rev Rob Montgomery. The RNS Experience includes Morning Chapel, Interhouse Teams, and Leadership & Service programs (RNS Outdoors, Round Square, Duke of Edinburgh), which foster wellbeing and community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Learning Commons program creates an individualized Education Plan (IEP) for students with specific learning needs. A Learning Strategist coordinates with classroom teachers to implement small-group learning opportunities in the Learning Commons. The plan includes strategies and classroom accommodations to support learning in all subjects, and where applicable, a plan for the student's academic future is included. The plan's success supports collaboration between faculty, students, and parents. In Grades 11 and 12, students receive ongoing support throughout the IB Diploma Programme, including assessments and coursework.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The English as an Additional Language (EAL) Department aims to provide each student with the language skills necessary to successfully challenge the RNS IB Curriculum, as well as the preparation necessary for admission to North American universities. Students whose first language is not English may require a supplementary course in English language learning. Students are placed in EAL courses according to both grade level and ability, which is measured using CEFR standards. Our program develops students' appreciation of our school culture and that of the wider Atlantic Canadian community, while supporting their sense of pride in their own cultures and languages. Students learn to be responsible for their own progress as language learners, allowing them to successfully continue their language skill development independently in their subject courses, at university and beyond.

Mental Wellbeing
Wellness Centre health services are on campus, staffed by the school nurses. The Wellness Centre is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, and Wednesdays from 8:30am until 4:00pm, with a nurse on call outside these hours. The school counsellor is Jillian Train and can be reached at counselling@rns.cc. Rev Rob Montgomery offers spiritual guidance. Dr. Laura McMackin serves as the on-site doctor for boarding students, with medical care supported by the health team and on-campus facilities.
Parent Experience

History
Rothesay Netherwood School has been part of the Saint John and Kennebecasis Valley communities since 1877. Its beginnings were as Thompson's School, a one-room classroom for boys and girls founded by Professor Ezekiel Stone Wiggins and located upstairs in Whelpley Hall near the Rothesay train station. In the 1880s Rev. George Exton Lloyd purchased it and renamed it Rothesay College for Boys. In 1891 James F. Robertson renamed the school Rothesay Collegiate School, moved it to College Hill Road with boarding facilities, and Lloyd remained head until 1896. The Netherwood School for Girls opened in 1894; in 1984 the two schools merged to form Rothesay Netherwood School (RCS-Netherwood) at College Hill, with major campus expansions in the following decades, including the Irving Gymnasium and the Theatre Susan B. Ganong (1995–1996) and Science Hall (opened 2021).

Community
Rothesay Netherwood School is a vibrant and dynamic community that encourages students, faculty, and parents to engage in all aspects of school life. Life at RNS is active and integrated, with on-campus residences, dining, interhouse teams, clubs and activities, leadership and service, and programs such as Round Square and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The student body is diverse, with students from Canada and around the world, about half of whom live in residence and half who are day students. The community emphasizes giving back to the local and global community, and friendships formed at RNS can last a lifetime.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Rothesay Netherwood School maintains an active development and alumni program that engages parents and alumni in school life. Reunion Weekend is organized annually with events such as Reunion Registration, Schedule of Events, Milestone Celebrations, Class Dinners & Gatherings, Founders Luncheon, and related activities. Opening Week features family events for parents, including a Family BBQ and Coffee Morning. The development team is led by Nic Carhart as Associate Director of Development, Philanthropy & Community Engagement, and Margot Grant as Development Coordinator. The Hill is the Magazine of Rothesay Netherwood School, and news for alumni and parents is shared through The Community News e-newsletter and the school website. The school maintains donor programs and giving channels, including the RNS Foundation, Ways to Give, Our Donors, and related campaigns.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Rothesay Netherwood School sits on a 125-acre campus in Rothesay, New Brunswick. The campus features four Georgian-style residence buildings, a Science Hall building for STEM curriculum, a 400-seat dining hall, a 200-seat theatre, art and music studios, the Memorial Chapel, a well-equipped library, an innovation studio, and a wellness centre. It is home to an indoor ice arena, three playing fields, three outdoor tennis courts, two squash courts, a running track, and a gymnasium with a climbing wall, plus extensive nature trails. The Jordan Boyd Memorial Pond is converted into an outdoor skating rink in winter.

Sports Facilities
The Irving Gymnasium (1997) has four change rooms and second-floor classroom space for meetings and break-out sessions. The Bonnycastle Memorial Arena, recently renovated, can be used in winter for skating, hockey, ringette and broomball and in summer for ball hockey, with five new change rooms. Five fields include three full-sized rugby/soccer pitches. There are three outdoor tennis courts and two squash courts, a running track, and a gymnasium with a climbing wall, with the Jordan Boyd Memorial Pond serving as an outdoor skating rink in winter.

Academic Facilities
The campus includes a Science Hall building for STEM curriculum. Colin Mackay Library and Learning Commons support study and research, along with University Guidance and Technology resources. There is also an innovation studio and a wellness centre on campus to support student learning and well-being.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Rothesay Netherwood School offers a wide range of clubs and activities. Activity Clubs include Debating, Model UN, and Leadership with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award through RNS Outdoors. Creativity Clubs include Drama, School Choirs and Bands, and Yearbook. Service Clubs include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Go-Girls!, Outflow Ministry, Project Linus, and Round Square Service Projects. Outdoor programming features RNS Outdoors, Round Square exchanges, and robotics, with opportunities for competitions and international exchanges.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Debating and Model UN clubs develop public speaking and analytical skills. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered; Robotics teams compete locally; Round Square exchanges support international experiences.

Arts & Creative
Drama productions are staged annually at the Théâtre Susan B. Ganong. Yearbook is produced by a student team; School Choirs and Bands include jazz choir, girls' choir, boys' choir, and senior band.

Cultural & Language
Round Square exchanges provide North American middle school exchanges. Senior students may apply to international Round Square exchanges worldwide.

Social & Hobbies
Activity Clubs include Debating, Model UN, Leadership, RNS Outdoors, and Robotics. Creativity Clubs include Drama, School Choirs and Bands, and Yearbook.

Community & Service
Service Clubs include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Go-Girls!, Outflow Ministry, and Project Linus. Terry Fox Run and Youth For Youth are student-led charitable initiatives.

Leadership & Professional
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered. A Yearbook committee provides student leadership opportunities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school encourages a healthy, active lifestyle and requires daily physical activity. The Outdoor Leadership Program provides wilderness activities and emphasizes environmental ethics.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction. The English as an Additional Language (EAL) Department provides language support for students whose first language is not English, placing students in EAL courses by grade level and ability, and using CEFR standards to guide placement; the program aims to prepare students to challenge the IB Curriculum and integrate into the school community. French is taught at Middle School (Core French, Intermediate French, Advanced French, and French Literature) and the Senior School IB program includes French AB Initio and French B; Spanish AB Initio is also offered. The ESL Summer Experience (ESL Camp) provides 25 hours per week of English language instruction for Grades 6-12, illustrating on-site language support.
Admissions

Admissions
Applications for the 2026-2027 school year are open. Space is limited, so families are encouraged to apply early. The academic program runs from September to June.

1) Complete the Application Form. Use the appropriate Application Form in the MyRNS portal, where you can log in or create a new account. The portal allows you to save progress and return later to finish the application, and the application fee is paid online as part of completing the form.

2) Submit at least one Teacher Recommendation. An Application Checklist includes a Recommendation step; at least one teacher report is required, and an additional report may be requested, which is particularly useful if applying for a Scholarship.

3) Upload Report Cards. Upload copies of the last two years' final reports and the most current report for the current school year.

4) Upload Birth Certificate and Passport. Birth certificate and/or passport copies are requested; passports are required for all International Students.

5) Student Interview. After submission, the Admission Office will contact to schedule an interview, which can be conducted in person or remotely.

6) Application Fee. Canadian Applicants pay 100 CAD; International Applicants pay 200 CAD; payment is online as part of the application process.

ADMISSION APPLICATION DEADLINES. December 15 is Early Admission for Grades 6–12, with priority given to boarding students and day enrolment being limited. Decisions are offered on a rolling basis up to February 1 for all completed applications received by December 15. March 15 is the standard Admission Deadline for Grades 6–12, with priority for boarding and limited day enrolment. Decisions are offered on a rolling basis up to May 1 for all completed applications received by March 15. Rolling Admission is available for applications received after March 15, with decisions offered on a rolling basis until classes are full.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS. All non-Canadian students must apply to the Government of Canada for an Authorization to Study in Canada prior to beginning studies at Rothesay Netherwood School. This process may take at least six to eight weeks or more. A Letter of Acceptance from Rothesay Netherwood School is required before applying for a Study Permit, and Early Admission application is strongly recommended. Canadian Applicants and International Applicants have separate application portals.

Scholarships
Scholarships are available to new students entering Grades 6–12 who have an academic average of 85% (or equivalent) or higher in their current or prior school. There are a limited number of scholarships each year. The scholarship is an award and does not require repayment. Scholarship applications require a Scholarship Portfolio and are awarded in two rounds; early submission is encouraged. Scholarships are awarded only in the student's first year of enrolment at Rothesay Netherwood School and are renewable each year if the student continues to meet the scholarship criteria and remains in good standing; new scholarships are not offered to returning students.

Bursaries are awarded on demonstrated financial need to new Canadian families accepted to Rothesay Netherwood School. They are awards with no repayment. The size of individual bursaries is limited by endowment funds and the number of applicants. Bursary requests are processed through Apple Financial Services and are considered in two rounds with early application encouraged. Returning families requesting financial aid must submit forms to Apple Financial Services each year by December 15, and current fees must be paid in full before an application can be considered. Awards are credited to tuition for the following academic year.

Scholarship Portfolio and Portfolio Contents. Students applying for a scholarship must complete a Scholarship Portfolio, which includes an essay explaining why the applicant is a good candidate for RNS, a one-to-two minute introductory video, evidence of well-roundedness or excellence in a particular area (Arts, Science, Service, Sport), and a letter of recommendation for scholarship.

Review and Approval. All bursary requests must be made through Apple Financial Services and accompanied by an admission application. Information is kept confidential, and all awards are made on an annual basis and are not automatically renewed. A new bursary application must be submitted each year and may be adjusted based on changes in financial circumstances. Returning families must reapply for aid each year.
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