REVIEW OF Ontario Virtual School BY student, Babneet Brar

(5) Student Experience

Overall, I’ve had a really great experience with Ontario Virtual School. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, since I’d never done an online school before, but it ended up being a perfect fit for me. One of the best things about OVS is how flexible it is. You can work at your own pace, which is amazing if you have a busy schedule or just want to move faster (or slower) depending on the subject. I loved being able to plan out my own study times and not feel pressured by a rigid timetable. The platform itself is really easy to use. Everything is clearly laid out the lessons, the assignments, the due dates. I never felt confused about what I was supposed to be doing. The video lessons are well-explained and the teachers usually give lots of examples, which helped me understand the material more deeply. I also appreciated that the teachers responded fairly quickly when I had questions, even though everything is online. If I had to pick one thing I wish I’d known earlier, it’s that you need to be self-motivated. It’s super convenient and flexible, but that also means you have to be responsible for keeping yourself on track. That said, if you’re organized and stay on top of your deadlines, it’s honestly a great setup.

(5) School Leadership

Yes, I really do respect the school leadership at Ontario Virtual School. Even though it’s an online school and you don’t see people face-to-face like you would in a traditional setting, I still felt supported by the team behind the scenes. The teachers are knowledgeable and professional, and they always seemed willing to help when I reached out with questions. They don’t just mark your work — they actually provide feedback that helps you improve. The guidance counsellors are also super helpful. I contacted them a couple of times about course planning and university applications, and they always got back to me with clear, thoughtful advice. You can tell they genuinely care about students succeeding, not just in their classes but in their bigger academic goals too. What they do well is creating an organized, reliable system that actually works. There’s a lot of structure behind the scenes, which makes it easier for students to focus on learning. I also appreciate that they give students a lot of independence while still being there when you need them.

(5) Teaching

I think the teachers at Ontario Virtual School do a great job setting fair expectations. The workload isn’t too much or too little, it’s just right for really learning the material without feeling overwhelmed. You definitely have to stay on top of things and manage your time, but it never feels unreasonable or like they’re piling on work just for the sake of it. Each assignment feels like it has a clear purpose. One thing I really appreciated was how clear the teachers are about what they want from you. Every course I took started with a syllabus and grading breakdown, and assignments came with rubrics that showed exactly how marks would be awarded. That helped a lot because I always knew how to meet the expectations and what to focus on in my work. When teachers at OVS talk about success, I think they’re not just talking about getting high grades though of course that’s part of it. They seem to really want students to understand the material, take responsibility for their learning, and build good habits that will help in university or whatever comes next. It feels like they care about your growth as a student, not just checking off curriculum boxes.

(5) Academics

For me, the workload at Ontario Virtual School has felt just right. It’s definitely not too easy, you’re expected to put in effort and really understand the material — but it’s also not overwhelming. The lessons are broken down clearly, and the assignments give you a chance to apply what you've learned in a meaningful way. It feels like the school has found a good balance between challenging students and supporting them at the same time. Also absolutely believe that what I’m learning will be useful later in life. The courses go beyond memorizing facts, they really help build skills like critical thinking, time management, and independent learning ven in math and science, the focus is on understanding concepts, not just getting the right answer, which I think prepares you well for real-world problem solving.

(4.5) Extracurriculars

Since Ontario Virtual School is fully online, it doesn’t offer traditional in-person clubs or sports teams the way brick-and-mortar schools do. That said, the flexibility of the schedule actually gave me more time to get involved in extracurriculars outside of school. I was able to volunteer in my community, join local sports teams, and even take on a part-time job things I might’ve struggled to balance in a regular school setting. ne thing that might be nice in the future is if OVS added more virtual clubs or interest-based communities, maybe a book club, a coding group, or even online student meet-ups. I think it would be a fun way for students to connect with each other outside of coursework. But even without those, I’ve never felt like I was missing out. The school gives you the time and flexibility to pursue whatever you’re passionate about, and that’s something I really valued.

(5) Students

Since Ontario Virtual School is fully online, the student community is definitely different from a traditional school it doesn’t feel like a crowded hallway or a buzzing campus. If I had to describe it, I’d say it feels more like a quiet, open city where everyone’s working on their own goals at their own pace. You don’t always “see” the other students, but you know they’re there, doing the same work and heading in the same direction. Because students come from all over, not just Ontario, but even internationally there’s a lot of diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and goals. It’s a unique environment where everyone is kind of building their own journey. I think students who are independent, motivated, and good at managing their time tend to thrive here. If you’re the kind of person who likes setting your own schedule and working at your own pace, it can be a great fit.

(5) School Life

If I were giving a tour of Ontario Virtual School, I’d start with the student dashboard, that’s really the heart of the whole experience. It’s the first place you see when you log in, and it’s where everything is organized: your courses, progress, assignments, grades, and teacher messages. I’d show visitors how easy it is to navigate and how everything is clearly laid out, because that’s one of the biggest strengths of OVS. It immediately makes you feel like you’re in control of your own learning. From there, I’d walk them through a sample course, maybe show them a lesson video, a quiz, and how the assignments are submitted. I’d also point out how every course includes a syllabus, detailed rubrics, and clear expectations, which really helps students stay on track and understand what’s expected of them.

(5) Community

Even though Ontario Virtual School doesn’t have a physical campus, in a lot of ways, it still feels like home to me. It’s a place where I can learn at my own pace, be independent, and feel supported without any pressure. The flexibility gave me the freedom to build a routine that worked best for me, and over time, logging into the platform just felt natural, like a part of my daily life. What really makes it feel welcoming is how approachable the teachers and staff are. Even though everything is done online, I always felt like help was just a message away. I never felt like I was “on my own,” and that sense of support made a big difference. I do think everyone has the chance to feel included and appreciated at OVS, because the environment is built on fairness and equal access. Everyone uses the same tools and resources, and no one’s left behind because of where they live or what their schedule looks like. As long as you’re willing to engage and put in the effort, there’s a real sense that you belong here and that your success matters.

(5) School Location

Since Ontario Virtual School is completely online, there isn’t a traditional campus, so in a way, you’re always “off campus.” That’s actually one of the things I love most about it. You’re not tied to one location, which means you can study from home, a library, a coffee shop, or even while traveling. It gives you the freedom to create your ideal learning environment, and that kind of flexibility really helped me stay motivated and focused. Because of this setup, students can shape their days however they want. Some might work in the morning and have the afternoon free, while others might study in the evenings. You’re not sitting in one place all day, and that variety keeps things fresh and personalized. It’s a different kind of “campus life,” but honestly, it’s one that really works especially if you’re independent and like managing your own time.

(5) Admissions

The admissions process at Ontario Virtual School was honestly one of the easiest and most straightforward experiences I’ve had. Everything was online, and it only took a few minutes to register. I didn’t have to go through a long application or wait weeks to hear back, once I selected my course and made the payment, I got access really quickly, which was such a relief. From my own experience, I’d say it wasn’t stressful at all, actually, it felt kind of exciting. I remember thinking, “Wow, I can actually get started right away.” There was a real sense of control and freedom that you don’t always get with traditional schools. There’s also a helpful support team available if you have questions, and I reached out once during the process and got a quick and friendly reply.