Blog Posts

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.

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.

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. 

Whether you’ve been working toward your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), upgrading marks, or fast-tracking your high school courses, your educational journey with OVS is shaping you in more ways than you know! So how can you tell if you’re truly growing as a learner? Let’s explore five subtle but meaningful signs that say “Yes, I’m learning!”

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, traditional education models are evolving—and online high school is leading the way. Whether you’re working toward your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or looking to earn Ontario high school credits online, the flexibility and personalized nature of virtual learning can empower students with the tools they need to succeed. At Ontario Virtual School (OVS), students not only complete accredited coursework but also develop essential life skills that prepare them for post-secondary education and the workforce.

When it comes to education, Ontario offers students access to world-class teaching and learning. This claim is supported by two sources of comparative performance data: PCAP- the Pan-Canadian Assessment Program, which tests random samples of Grade 8 students in each province; and PISA – the OECD’s Programme of International Student Assessment, which tests random samples of 15-year-old students from around the world. According to this data, Ontario has maintained its strong international standing in math, reading and science and positions Ontario among the top provinces in Canada.

If you are no longer attending a regular high school, but you have not graduated yet, you may be trying to figure out what your next move is for your education. You may be considering college, university, or a trade, and wonder which is the best option to help you get to where you need to go: the OSSD or a GED. What exactly is the difference? And which one is needed for certain post-secondary pathways?

In Ontario, Advanced Functions (Grade 12) is a Grade 12 mathematics course that focuses on, as the name implies, more advanced functions than those studied in the Grade 11 Functions course (MCR3U).

Many people, especially many high school students, find themselves wondering a very important question: What is the main difference between college and university? In conversational language, people often use the two terms interchangeably. However, the distinction between the two is very important for anyone planning to attend one. Here at Ontario Virtual School, we have many students exploring post-secondary options, and our Guidance Department specializes in helping students understand the college and university difference so that they can make the decisions that are right for them. But for those looking for a quick rundown, let’s just briefly compare universities vs colleges.

Whether at home or at school, in our personal or public lives, we all like to be noticed for our hard work and dedication. This is why it’s important to take note of significant days, such as  National Principal’s Day, which was celebrated on May 1 this year.  

Ontario Virtual School (OVS) is proud to announce Alaina Noormohamed as this year’s recipient of the April 2025 OVS University Acceptance $500 Scholarship! We are thrilled to celebrate Alaina’s acceptance into the Social Science program at McMaster.

Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system and play a vital role in our communities. With healthcare needs on the rise, the demand for qualified nurses has never been higher. Choosing a career in nursing is an admirable and rewarding decision – thank you for considering this path! If you’re exploring how to become a nurse and are feeling a bit overwhelmed by the options, you are not alone. There are several pathways to nursing in Ontario; understanding them is key to making the best choices for your future.

Online schooling has been around for years and only continues to rise in popularity as more and more people are drawn to its accessibility and convenience. There are many benefits of online high schools, and if you find yourself contemplating if Ontario Virtual School is right for you, here are some reasons to attend OVS.

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?