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.

Is Online School Right for Your Child? Questions to Ask Before Enrolling

Is Online School Right for Your Child? Questions to Ask Before Enrolling

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?

Parent Guide: Supporting Your Teen’s Online Learning Journey

Parent Guide Supporting Your Teen's Online Learning Journey

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.

Not One-Size-Fits-All: How Ontario Virtual School Personalizes Education

Not One-Size-Fits-All: How Ontario Virtual School Personalizes Education

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?

How OVS Courses Support Truth and Reconciliation in Education

Truth and Reconciliation through education

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.

Online School vs Traditional School: Which is Right for me?

Online School vs. Traditional 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.

How Does Online School Work for High 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.

The Ultimate Study Hack We all Love: Why Brain Breaks are Essential for Online Learners

Brain Breaks

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?

MythBusters: Does Taking Summer School Mean Giving Up Your Summer?

Thinking about upgrading high school course marks or fast-tracking your high school education? Many students avoid summer courses, assuming they’ll lose their well-earned break. But here’s the truth: summer learning and summer fun can go hand in hand! In fact, taking a summer school course can provide you with peace of mind, knowing that you are setting yourself up for future success!

For the Love of French: Grade 9 and Beyond

For the Love of French

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. 

Reasons to Study Biology

Reasons to Study Biology

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?

Can Adults Get Their High School Diploma Online?

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.

Fast Track Your Future with Reach Ahead

One of the concerns that some Gr. 8 students have is the ability to manage their time effectively, especially with an unbalanced timetable of rigorous courses in one semester and less challenging courses in another. 

Another concern that Gr. 8 students have is not being able to take certain electives because the course offerings conflict with compulsory courses. Depending on the size of the high school and the qualifications of educators, the ideal timetable may not be possible. 

The OVS Advantage: Fostering Learning Skills for the Future

The OVS Advantage Fostering Learning Skills for the Future

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.

How Does Online Summer School Work?

How Does Online Summer School Work

There are many reasons students may enroll in summer school courses. Maybe they want to get ahead on next year’s course load by taking a compulsory course early, like Grade 12 English (ENG4U), or they want to upgrade their marks in a difficult course they already finished, like Grade 11 Biology (SBI3U). They may just want to prepare themselves for the upcoming year as they transition from Junior High to High School.

The Importance of Academic Integrity

The Importance of Academic Integrity

One of the advantages of virtual learning is that students can have control of their education. But that also means that students have an added responsibility to be fair, be honest, and take command of their learning by doing the work themselves. Some students may try to take the easy way through school, which involves copying, plagiarizing, and cheating; and while it may make things easier in the short term, it certainly makes things more challenging in the long run.

Start Anytime and Learn at Your Own Pace with Ontario Virtual School

Start Anytime and Learn at Your Own Pace with OVS

Are you a student looking for more control over your education? Are you busy with sports, a job, or hoping to graduate early? Consider earning your OSSD credits through an accredited self- paced online high school—Ontario Virtual School (OVS).

A traditional school schedule doesn’t work for everyone. Online high school offers the flexibility to start anytime and learn at your own pace, while still meeting OSSD requirements.

How To Prepare for University

It happens every year. Students find themselves finally on track to complete high school, maybe they’ve even already gained acceptance to a university, but then they find themselves worrying about how to be prepared for university. How does one actually prepare for attending a university? How do I know if I’m ready?

It’s perfectly normal to not feel ready for university, but that doesn’t mean you have to stress yourself out over it! To help you prepare for university, Ontario Virtual School has created an easy to follow checklist.