Welcome Back! All of us at OVS are excited for that start of what is sure to be another fantastic school year. While OVS is a year-round school, offering programming throughout the summer, we also find that September comes with an influx of new students and enrollments.
In this newsletter, we will touch on some important information and dates that students will need to know in order to have a smooth school year ahead!
OVS Summer Recap
This summer, OVS was hard at work both helping students complete their much-needed summer credits, but also with community outreach programs.
OVS sponsors City of Brampton Canada Day celebration at Chinguacousy Park
This year OVS helped to sponsor the Canada Day celebrations in Brampton. This event included live music, family friendly activities, food stalls, and much, much more.
OVS hosted a booth as a sponsor, where people could stop for a chat, learn about our program, play games, and collect some OVS swag.
The Honourable Mayor Patrick Brown and his team even dropped in to join us!
OUAC Updates
With the start of a new school year comes a new university application season.
First, here are some important basics for navigating the OUAC system, starting with understanding which applicant type you are.
Group A applicants:
- You are currently taking 1 or more courses at an Ontario high school
- You are under 21 on or before December 31st 2025
- You have an OSSD or are working towards an OSSD
If you do not meet the above criteria, you are a Group B applicant. Some examples of Group B applicants are:
- Not currently taking a course at an Ontario high school
- A Canadian outside of Ontario
- An international applicant
- A postsecondary transfer student
- A mature applicant
- 21 or over, on or before December 31, 2025, and taking a course at an Ontario high school
For Group B applicants, there are some updates to the OUAC system this year. Ontario high schools are now able to report grades for full-time and part-time students over the age of 21.
So, if you are a Group B applicant, please let OVS know, and we can upload proof of enrollment, midterm and transcripts to support your application this year.
For more information, please check out the OUAC Application Guide.
OUAC Key Dates
- November 27th 2025 – target date for midterms for first semester to be sent for early applicants
- January 15th 2026 – Group A application submission deadline
- February 19th 2026 – target date for final grade submissions for first semester
- May 1st 2026 – target date for all midterm submission for second semester
- July 14th 2026 – target date for all remaining final grade submissions
- August 3rd to August 31st 2026 – OUAC accepting summer school grades
For more information, please check out the OUAC Key Dates.
OCAS Applications
For students applying to College, there is more flexibility when certain grades and submission are required. However, there are some key dates College applicants should be aware of as well.
Early October 2025: Online Application Opens
In early October, access to the online college application becomes available
November 1, 2025: Earliest Offer Date
This is the earliest date that colleges may begin to send offers of admission
February 1, 2026: Equal Consideration Date
Apply on or before this date in order to receive equal consideration for admission to programs starting the following fall. After this date, colleges consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until programs are full.
May 1, 2026: Deadline to Confirm Offers of Admission
Applicants must confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission by this date.
For more information, please check the OCAS website.
Ontario University Fairs
The OUF takes place from September 27th to 28th 2025, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) in the South Building.
The fair runs from 9:30am to 5pm both days and offers free admission.
This is a great opportunity for current high school students to talk with representatives from different universities and to really start thinking about where they might want to apply to for post-secondary.
Regional Fairs are similar to the OUF in that they allow students to connect directly with different university representatives to discuss their post-secondary plans and have their questions answered about what program might be right for them.
Regional Fairs take place in different cities ad local high school, university, and other community venues.
To check for Regional Fairs taking place near you, please check the schedule.
Another way high school students can gain valuable information about university programs is through online information sessions that don’t require any travel.
One of these sessions will be taking place November 10th between 5-7pm ET.
For more information and a full list of participating universities, please check out this website.
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test
As a graduation requirement Ontario high school students need to complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).
Full-Time OVS students in Grade 10 or above who are located in Ontario will be required to complete the Literacy Test.
There are two sessions for the Literacy Test.
The Fall Literacy Test dates are between November 4th 2025 and December 2nd 2025.
The Winter Literacy Test dates are between March 23rd 2026 and April 20th 2026.
Full-Time OVS students who are not located in Toronto (so out of province or international students) can instead complete the OLC4O course.
For more information please contact [email protected]
International Outreach
As part of the OVS mission to help students around the world receive a high quality education, we like to bring that special personal touch when we can.
Last summer, OVS helped to bring several of our students studying the Dual Diploma program from the Tenerife Canary Islands to Canada, so that they could take an ENG4U course in person as well as experience the many things Canada has to offer.
This year, 50 of those students graduated with their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
OVS was invited to attend the graduation ceremony in person and connect with some of the students we’ve been able to help earn their Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Mr. Borzou Salavati attended the ceremony as an honoured guest, while Mr. Farhez Lakhani, our Head of International Partnerships, gave a speech focusing on the future of learning and how programs like the this one are bringing communities together.
They were honoured to be a part of the celebration and OVS is looking forward to continuing to make an impact on an international scale.
Graduation Requirements
The Ministry of Education has updated the graduation requirements for Ontario students. Currently we are operating under two different sets of requirements depending on what Grade level a student is in.
If you started Grade 9 in 2023 or earlier, you need the following to get your OSSD.
- 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)
- 3 credits in mathematics (at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
- 3 credits for group 1, 2 and 3 courses (1 credit in each group)
- 2 credits in science
- 1 credit in Canadian history (Grade 10)
- 1 credit in Canadian geography (Grade 9)
- 1 credit in the arts
- 1 credit in health and physical education
- 1 credit in French as a second language
- 0.5 credit in career studies
- 0.5 credit in civics and citizenship
- 12 Elective Credits
If you started Grade 9 in 2024 or in later years, you need the following to get your OSSD.
- 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)
- 3 credits in mathematics (Grade 9, Grade 10 and 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
- 2 credits in science
- 1 credit in technological education (Grade 9 or Grade 10)
- 1 credit in Canadian history (Grade 10)
- 1 credit in Canadian geography (Grade 9)
- 1 credit in the arts
- 1 credit in health and physical education
- 1 credit in French as a second language
- 0.5 credit in career studies
- 0.5 credit in civics and citizenship
- 1 credit from the STEM-related course group
- 13 Elective Credits
OVS Guidance
At OVS, we have a dedicated guidance team that is here to help you with your academic planning.
Whether you’re a full-time student that needs help figuring out what courses you need for graduation, you’re a part-time student just looking to take one course for university admission, or an international or out-of-province student looking to make the transition to the Ontario curriculum, we’re here to help.
Monthly Bursaries
For current or previous OVS students, we are offering the oppourtunity to apply for a bursary which will provide you with 1 free course with Ontario Virtual School.
In the Financial Aid section of your OVS portal, you’ll find the applications to apply to one of two bursary options, one for Canadian students and one for International, so make sure you fill out the right application.
At the end of each month, an applicant will be selected to receive the bursary.
- Reward: 1 free course
- Eligibility: Canadian Student
- Availability: Monthly
Ontario Virtual School is proud to award this bursary to a deserving Canadian student based on financial need.
- Reward: 1 free course
- Eligibility: International
- Availability: Monthly
Ontario Virtual School is proud to award this bursary to a deserving International student based on financial need.
Fall is here, and a new school year has begun! To celebrate the season and your academic journey, we are giving away a FREE course to one lucky student!
To enter, create a short video about how OVS helped you reach your academic goals and:
- Post it to your Instagram page or story tagging @ontariovirtualschool
- OR submit your video here.
Winner will be randomly chosen on Tues, Sept 30.
Start the year strong and step into fall with a chance to win big. Good luck!
Social Media
Want to Be Featured on OVS Socials?
OVS is looking for students in London, Ontario to be interviewed for our Instagram and TikTok.
Our social media co-ordinator wants to put together some fun day in my life videos, and student testimonials.
We are also looking for students willing to share artwork they made in OVS courses online.
Interested students, please leave your information in this form.
Clubs
This academic year, OVS plans on launching extra-curricular clubs! We want you the students to get involved and connect with each other. Clubs are open to students of all ages/grade levels and are opportunities to explore your passions with other interested peers.
If you are interested, please fill out this form so our club coordinator can get back to you.