If you are considering attending the Ontario Virtual School, either full-time or part-time, you may have looked online to read some reviews. Our reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with an astounding 4.9/5-star rating on Google. Students are generally pleased with the flexibility of the classes, the lesson structure and content, and the friendliness of the staff. Online high school reviews can be great to get a general idea of the experiences of students, but they’re not very in-depth. So, I decided to ask students to share their experiences at OVS.
Why did you choose online high school?
A grade 12 student named Laelle, who has taken 3 courses with OVS, said that she decided to take courses at our school so she could have more free time and so she could focus on more difficult courses that she is taking at her day school.
Carla, a grade 12 biology student, said that she chose OVS because of the flexibility it offered her by allowing her to complete courses from outside of Ontario. Additionally, the college program she plans to attend has specific course requirements that she needs to meet, which she is able to do through her credits earned at OVS.
Yewande, a student who has taken 4 courses at OVS, said she chose our school because of the good reviews it has and because a university recruiter recommended it. She hopes to get accepted into a medical microbiology program with her credits from OVS.
Bowen, a student who is also enrolled in SBI4U, said he chose our school because he “wanted the flexibility to learn online and take a course that fits [his] schedule.” The flexibility of OVS’s courses is a huge appeal to many students, including Carla and Yewande.
What is a benefit you have experienced from taking online courses?
Common benefits students experience with online courses at OVS are being able to work at your pace, to focus in a quiet space without the distractions of a regular classroom, to review the lessons as needed, and to fit the courses into your busy schedule, whether it’s day school, a job, sports, or socializing.
Bowen said, “I can work at my own pace and review lessons whenever I need, which helps me understand the material better.”
Laelle, said, “Taking online courses has helped me improve my time management skills. I’ve learned to make better use of my time and focus on completing assignments more efficiently.”
Yewande said, the biggest benefit has been “flexibility. If I don’t understand a topic, I simply play it again over and over, then I study at my own pace.” She added, these courses “also allow me to work and study at the same time according to my schedule and enable me to manage my time properly.”
Carla said some of the things she liked most about our online courses were “flexibility, comfort, and control,” “accessing lessons from anywhere,” and the ability to “replay and review lessons whenever needed.” She also mentioned it’s great “preparation for colleges that have similar online platforms” and that she has been able to develop “independent learning skills, which will be very helpful in college and in life.”
What has your experience been with the course materials?
Overall, the students reported a very positive learning experience in their courses. Yewande said she felt that the tests and assignments “prepare one for the exam” very well, although they can be somewhat lengthy. She also said the “teaching is great” and that she found the quizzes at the end of the lessons helpful because they showed how well she understood the topic in a low-stress way since the quizzes are not graded.
Carla found the lessons more challenging and said she sometimes found it difficult to decide which concepts were the most important to focus on. However, resources like practice tests and e-textbooks can be very beneficial in helping students understand the materials thoroughly and prepare for the tests. And as always, teachers are available to help when a student needs guidance.
Laelle’s experience has been “very positive”. She states that “the tests and assignments are manageable and straightforward.”
Bowen has a similar experience, saying, “the tests and assignments are clear and helpful. Overall, I feel like I am learning a lot in [my grade 12 biology] course.”
Do you have any tips for online high school success?
Bowen says:
- stay organized
- set a regular schedule
- don’t be afraid to ask your teacher for help
Carla says:
- create a study plan
- be patient with yourself
- stay consistent
Laelle says:
- Don’t rush through your work
- Don’t fall behind
- Treat your online course just like an in-person class
Yewande says:
- Read to understand; not cramming to pass
- Try repetitive reading
- Take your tests seriously
Do you feel safe, respected, and valued at OVS?
One of the most important aspects of any classroom is having supportive teachers and feeling safe and accepted. This is a priority for the staff at OVS who make it their mission to make students and parents feel welcome and supported.
Bowen agreed that he does feel supported and respected by the teachers and staff, as did Yewande, who said “the teachers are very responsive and I really, really enjoyed the courses.”
Carla said, “The OVS teachers and community are very respectful, professional, and supportive. I really admire how quickly the teachers answer my questions and how hard-working they are.”
Laelle similarly stated, “[I have] a very kind and supportive teacher, especially with her feedback and grading.”
We want every student to feel respected and supported so that their educational journey can be one filled with positivity and achievement. Join our OVS community and see for yourself the advantages we have to offer as you navigate your educational journey!
Q & A:
1. How can I be a strong online learner?
There are many things you can do to ensure you are reaching your full potential as an online learner. Staying organized is a great first step. Ensuring academic integrity is maintained is critical. And communicating with your teacher when you have questions or need assistance will make a huge difference! This blog post by Trent University lists a number of strategies for successful online learning.
2. How do I know if online learning is right for me?
Check out this blog post that compares online high schools and traditional schools. It dives into some of the common features that attracts students to one or the other, such as type of learner, time management for online students, and other factors like social life and extracurricular activities.
3. Who are the teachers?
Our courses are taught by Ontario-certified teachers who are passionate about learning and guiding students through their education. Our teachers come from all different types of backgrounds, but we all have the same goal: to see you succeed! Learn more about our teachers here.
Written by Michelle E. Miller (OVS Teacher)