Blog Posts

How can online lessons be designed specifically for digital learning? In the 2020s, many students have had some experience with online learning, but often with lessons not designed to take advantage of the format.

I’m Andrew Escobar, a teacher at Ontario Virtual School, a leading provider of online high school courses in Ontario. In addition to teaching Ontario Virtual School courses like Grade 9 English (ENL1W), Grade 10 English (ENG2D), and Grade 12 English (ENG4U), I also designed our Grade 7 Language course (LAN7G). Here are the things we at OVS keep in mind when designing and delivering digital lessons.

University can be a daunting yet exciting time for first year students. Setting yourself up for success will help you create a more enjoyable experience and ease the transition. In a digital world, you have the tools available to start setting yourself up for success early! No matter the grade, our courses will help you prepare for the university experience of your dreams. As Mel Robbins says, ‘the key to success is to start before you’re ready” (2017), and our programs are designed to help you take that first step towards achieving your academic goals.

It’s no secret that each of us has our individual preferences when it comes to learning. For this reason, the traditional classroom doesn’t always meet the needs of all learners. Whether it has to do with the structure of a traditional school day, the time allotted to each subject or course, or the pacing of the material, there is no doubt that traditional education leaves little room for individualized learning pathways.

With OVS, students can learn online in a flexible environment that suites their needs.

When you think of science class, you may conjure up images of lab coats, animal dissections, and chemistry sets. However, as a significant number of students turn to online schools, like the Ontario Virtual School, teachers have had to adapt the methods in which students perform practical activities. These hands-on learning experiences are not always possible in the virtual learning environment, so teachers have opted to utilize virtual lab simulations. Hands-on approaches have been the standard until recently, which is causing many students and parents to wonder: do virtual labs measure up?

As an educator with Ontario Virtual School (OVS), I recognize the importance of teaching students how to effectively balance their nutritional goals while completing online OSSD credits. In HFA4U, Nutrition and Health, once students learn about the significance of nutrition during adolescence and its pivotal role in long-term health, they are eager to follow nutritional guidelines highlighted in Canada’s Food Guide. However, the main barrier I encounter is a lack of time. Here are a few strategies to stay on track without compromising your nutrition and health!

Last week marked a significant milestone for Ontario Virtual School (OVS) as we proudly signed a partnership with St. Joseph Gakuen Nissei High School in Kyoto, Japan. The signing ceremony took place at the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo on March 28, 2025, in a celebration of international education and cultural exchange.

This new partnership will allow students at Nissei High School to enroll in OVS’s fully online Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) program, while continuing their local Japanese studies. Upon completion, students will graduate with dual diplomas—both the Japanese high school diploma and the internationally recognized OSSD, greatly enhancing their post-secondary options domestically and around the world.

Need help with a tricky math concept or a specific problem? We’ve got you covered!

You can now book a FREE 25-minute 1-on-1 tutoring session with a qualified math tutor.

Ontario Virtual School (OVS) is proud to announce Eric Manikhouth as this year’s recipient of the March 2025 OVS University Acceptance $500 Scholarship! We are thrilled to celebrate Eric’s acceptance into the Computer Science program at the University of Ottawa, where he will continue his academic journey and pursue his passion for technology and innovation.

Our most recent partnership has been with the Crown International Education and Consultancy, an organization that has been providing services for over 18 years. Working together OVS and Crown International have been operating the OSSD Canada Dual Diploma Program, in collaboration with reputable Turkish institutions since September 2024.

Being a high-performance athlete require intense training, focus, and dedication. When you’re still in high school, you also have the added stress of classes, studying, and passing your exams. Doing both can be overwhelming, and often students find themselves either struggling in school or having a hard time maintaining their training for their sport.
With OVS, students don’t have to give anything up and can succeed in both their academics and their athletics. Students can customize their education to fit their needs, giving them more freedom to pursue their goals.

Whether your interested in a career in business or finance, starting your own company or brand, or just want to get a better understanding of how to navigate your own finances, there are many courses you can take at the high school level to help you learn about the world of business and finance.
At OVS, we have several courses at different grade levels that students can take to help in all different areas of the business world.

One of the most difficult parts of being a young athlete is finding the balance between athletics and academics. With all the time spent practicing or at games and events, not to mention the travelling and logistics, it can be tough to find enough time to dedicate to your academic life. Here at Ontario Virtual School, we have many student athletes, and we’re dedicated to supporting them

In the last several years, many students have adopted a hybrid approach to their high school education. This means that while they still attend a traditional physical school for at least some of their courses, they also take some courses through online schooling options. Students and families who are not familiar with this model may be surprised, but there are many reasons students decide to turn to online schooling, while still attending a regular physical school.

Many students dread test day, and it’s easy to understand why. Tests are important, and students may feel that they just aren’t good at “test taking.” Test anxiety can indeed be a significant challenge, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a few tips, students can ease their anxiety and make writing a test much less intimidating.

For some students, the word “essay” brings to mind the most feared and hated form of schoolwork. Essay anxiety is very common, and it is easy to understand why students may be apprehensive about writing one. by keeping a few easy tips in mind, students can better understand why essays are helpful, enhance their essay-writing skills, and soon come to find essays are not as scary as they seem, but can actually be simple.

On October 11, 2024, a signing ceremony was held at the Canadian Embassy in Japan, marking the official launch of the Double Diploma program between OVS and Ritsumeikan Moriyama. Representatives from both OVS and RM, along with officials from the Canadian government, were present to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

As online learning continues to grow in popularity, more students and families are choosing this form of education. However, many families might be unsure of the role they can play in online learning. One of the main advantages of online learning is that parents can be more involved in the learning process. At the same time, online learning provides a valuable opportunity for students to learn and practice independence. These two aspects don’t have be contradictory; in fact, they can complement each other, depending on how parents and families engage in the process.