Blog Posts

OVS posts helpful blogs on a variety of topics to help you make the most of your high school career! Check back regularly for new postings.

What You Need to Graduate High School in Ontario (And How OVS Can Help)

Canada is known around the world for having school systems that support both high achievement and fair opportunities for students. We also take pride in being a multicultural country, where diversity is valued and protected. Across Canada, education is shaped by important national laws and policies, such as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as decisions related to child care, language rights, immigration, and Indigenous peoples.

OVS: Fostering Identity and Citizenship Through Online Learning

On a recent trip to Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, I was reminded how incredible it is to be a Canadian citizen and how proud I am of the role that Canada plays on the global stage. As I was visiting various tourist attractions and significant sites around the city, I couldn’t help but reflect on all of the connections to the content of various online high school courses offered at Ontario Virtual School and their relevance to shaping students’ sense of identity, both nationally and internationally.

Why Learning a New Language is the Ultimate Superpower

At Ontario Virtual School, we believe in empowering students through learning – and that includes language learning. So before you decide to close the door on studying a new language, take a moment to consider the lifelong benefit it offers. Your future self will thank you.

Here at Ontario Virtual School, we understand the concerns of these families, and want to answer their questions and put their minds at ease. Here are answers to questions we hear from families every day.

Before You Hit Send: Netiquette Tips for OVS Students

At some point or another, we’ve all had the experience of misinterpreting the tone of an email or text message. Whether it is due to lack of punctuation, a questionable word choice, poor organisation or confusing sentence structure, it can sometimes be challenging to communicate effectively through email. This is why “netiquette” is an important component of teaching and learning at Ontario Virtual School and is part of online high school success.  

Your Key to Success: Digital Citizenship

Upon graduating high school, teachers are not only equipping students to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), but also to develop a range of skills that will guide them beyond their virtual high school online courses. As technology continues to shape how we learn, work and interact, many of these essential skills are connected to technology use. Whether it is using technology to enhance learning, or understanding how to use it responsibly, digital citizenship has become imperative to student success.

Learning the Balance of AI Use

In today’s fast-changing world, it’s not just what students know that matters, but how they think, learn, and problem-solve. In fact, the researchers behind the Institute for Habits of Mind have identified 16 habits that form the basis for the behaviours, skills, and dispositions foundational to effective thinkers. This means that students who practice and hone these skills are more likely to be prepared for unfamiliar situations and more resilient in the real world.

Where Theory Meets Practice: The Science of Learning Behind OVS Courses

Did you know – that according to UNESCO – there are more than 7000 languages spoken around the world today? With this increased diversity in the linguistic landscape, the need for cross-cultural understanding is more important than ever. While learning an additional language is not a new concept, there is now an increased benefit to learning a new language, as it provides the skills needed to build peace, tolerance and respect for differences both within and outside of the classroom. 

Harnessing the Winter Season: An Ideal Time for Focused Learning with OVS

Ontario Virtual School offers a variety of courses, including Grade 11 and Grade 12 biology. Both grades offer college-level and university-level, in order to meet the needs of a wide variety of students. Biology is a fantastic subject to study, and a wonderful credit to have on your transcript, but what exactly can you do with it? Why should you study biology at OVS?

Balancing School, Work, and Life: Why OVS Is the Right Choice for Busy Students

Did you know – that according to UNESCO – there are more than 7000 languages spoken around the world today? With this increased diversity in the linguistic landscape, the need for cross-cultural understanding is more important than ever. While learning an additional language is not a new concept, there is now an increased benefit to learning a new language, as it provides the skills needed to build peace, tolerance and respect for differences both within and outside of the classroom. 

How to Write a Lab Report

How to Write a Lab Report

You’re staring at your Grade 12 Advanced Functions course (MHF4U), the words and numbers are blurring together, and you’re pretty sure you’ve already read that last sentence, twice. Sound familiar? Studying is essential, but it doesn’t need to be painful. Some methods support your brain, while others can lead to burnout. At Ontario Virtual School, we’re here to help you learn study tips for online high school, and yes, that includes brain breaks, because who doesn’t love those?

Future-Ready with OVS: Time to Become Your Best You

Future Ready with OVS

You’re staring at your Grade 12 Advanced Functions course (MHF4U), the words and numbers are blurring together, and you’re pretty sure you’ve already read that last sentence, twice. Sound familiar? Studying is essential, but it doesn’t need to be painful. Some methods support your brain, while others can lead to burnout. At Ontario Virtual School, we’re here to help you learn study tips for online high school, and yes, that includes brain breaks, because who doesn’t love those?

Hear from the Students at OVS: Here’s what actual students have to say about their experiences at the Ontario Virtual School

Online school has become a much more popular option in recent years. However, making the transition from in-person learning to digital learning can make some families a bit nervous, especially when dealing with not just online elementary school, but online high school.

Here at Ontario Virtual School, we understand the concerns of these families, and want to answer their questions and put their minds at ease. Here are answers to questions we hear from families every day.

You’ve Got This: How Grade 9 English at OVS Prepares You for the OSSLT

You've got this

It happens all the time: people decide to pursue a new career path only to discover they can’t because they never completed their high school diploma. With flexible scheduling, interactive lessons, and support from certified teachers, adult learners can complete their remaining credits entirely online. If you’re worried about deadlines, or how to transfer credits, don’t fret, here are some frequently asked questions (and answers!) to help you get started.

Unlocking the Power of Discussion Forums

You’re staring at your Grade 12 Advanced Functions course (MHF4U), the words and numbers are blurring together, and you’re pretty sure you’ve already read that last sentence, twice. Sound familiar? Studying is essential, but it doesn’t need to be painful. Some methods support your brain, while others can lead to burnout. At Ontario Virtual School, we’re here to help you learn study tips for online high school, and yes, that includes brain breaks, because who doesn’t love those?

The “I Don’t Know Yet” Guide to University Applications

Online school has become a much more popular option in recent years. However, making the transition from in-person learning to digital learning can make some families a bit nervous, especially when dealing with not just online elementary school, but online high school.

Here at Ontario Virtual School, we understand the concerns of these families, and want to answer their questions and put their minds at ease. Here are answers to questions we hear from families every day.

Podcast S4 Ep 3. Listening Strategies

A Brighter Future Podcast - OVS Podcast

In this episode, OVS teacher and podcast host Alicia Cuzner discusses the topic of listening and how it’s an active process. This episode explores different ways to optimize your time for effective learning and defines the process of listening to help you better understand why it’s important, even when the topic doesn’t initially interest you.

Balancing School and Sports: How OVS Supports Student-Athletes

Balancing School and Sports

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.

Life Lessons Meet Online Learning: Part 1

Life Lessons meet online learning

In today’s fast-changing world, it’s not just what students know that matters, but how they think, learn, and problem-solve. In fact, the researchers behind the Institute for Habits of Mind have identified 16 habits that form the basis for the behaviours, skills, and dispositions foundational to effective thinkers. This means that students who practice and hone these skills are more likely to be prepared for unfamiliar situations and more resilient in the real world.