REVIEW OF Ontario Virtual School BY student, ryann davies

(5) Student Experience

My experience at Ontario Virtual School has been really positive. I would say I loved it. The flexibility is what makes it so great. Being able to work at my own pace and fit the course around my day school schedule made things so much easier. It really helped reduce stress and gave me the freedom to manage my time the way that worked best for me. One thing I wish I had known before starting was just how independent the learning would be. While the teachers are super responsive and helpful when I have questions, you do need to be organized and motivated to stay on track. That said, it helped me build good time management skills. If I could change one thing, I might add a bit more structure or suggested timelines to help students pace themselves better throughout the course, especially for those who might be new to online learning. It’s easy to fall behind if you don’t plan ahead, so having optional checkpoints or reminders could be useful.

(5) School Leadership

I haven’t really interacted with anyone at Ontario Virtual School other than my teacher, but based on that experience, I have a lot of respect for the staff. My teacher was always supportive, quick to respond to questions, and provided helpful feedback, which made a big difference in my learning. Since most of my experience was independent, I can’t comment much on the leadership or guidance counsellors. That said, it might be helpful if there were more opportunities for students to connect with school leaders or access extra support outside of the course, like check-ins or guidance on course planning

(5) Teaching

I think the teachers at Ontario Virtual School have a good balance when it comes to expectations. They don’t ask too much, but they do challenge you to think critically and put effort into your work. I always felt that I knew what was expected of me, the instructions were clear, and when I had questions, my teachers responded quickly and explained things well. When teachers talk about success, I think they imagine it as students understanding the material, being able to apply it, and staying committed to completing the course. It’s not just about getting high marks, it’s about learning at your own pace and really engaging with the content. That kind of support helped me feel more confident and independent as a student.

(5) Academics

I think the academics at Ontario Virtual School are very well-balanced. The work isn’t too easy or too hard; it feels appropriate for the course level, and I always felt challenged in a good way. I also appreciated that I could move at my own pace, which helped me stay on top of everything without getting overwhelmed. One thing I really like is that the course content is practical and well-organized. I definitely believe what I’ve learned will be useful later in life. Beyond the subject knowledge, the courses helped me develop important academic and life skills like time management, self-motivation, and independent learning. These are things that will benefit me not just in school, but in university, future jobs, and everyday life. Overall, the academic side of OVS is strong, and I’ve gained a lot from the experience.

(5) Extracurriculars

Since Ontario Virtual School is fully online and focused on academics, there aren’t any extracurricular activities that I know of, like clubs or sports teams. I didn’t expect there to be any when I signed up, so it hasn’t been an issue for me personally. I take part in extracurriculars through my day school and in my community, so I’m still able to stay involved in the things I enjoy outside of class. That said, it could be interesting if OVS offered optional virtual clubs, like a book club, study groups, or discussion forums for students to connect with one another. I think it would help create more of a community feeling for those who are taking multiple courses or who don’t have access to extracurriculars elsewhere. Overall, though, I think the school does a great job focusing on academics and flexibility.

(5) Students

Since Ontario Virtual School is entirely online and independent, I haven’t interacted with other students while taking courses. There aren’t group projects or class discussions like there are in a regular school, so it’s more of a solo learning experience. Because of that, it doesn’t feel like a traditional school community with a social atmosphere, more like a quiet, focused space where each student works at their own pace. I think the students who do best at OVS are the ones who are organized, self-motivated, and comfortable learning independently. It can be challenging for students who need more structure or who struggle with time management, since you really have to hold yourself accountable. While there’s not much peer interaction, the environment feels respectful and inclusive, and I’ve never felt out of place. It’s just a different kind of school experience, more flexible and individual.

(5) School Life

Since Ontario Virtual School is completely online, there isn’t a physical building to tour like a traditional school. If I were asked to give a “tour,” I’d start by showing visitors the OVS website and main page with lessons, discussion forums, and assignments, because that’s really where everything happens. From there, I’d walk them through how a typical course is organized, how lessons are laid out, how assignments and quizzes are submitted, and how students can track their progress. I’d also highlight the flexibility of the platform, which is one of the best parts of the school. You can log in and work whenever it suits you, making it easy to balance with other responsibilities. The school experience is less about a shared physical space and more about providing a clear, self-paced environment for learning that fits different schedules and learning styles.

(5) Community

Because Ontario Virtual School is an independent, online learning environment, it doesn’t really feel like a traditional school “community” in the way a physical school might. I wouldn’t say it feels like home, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing it just has a different purpose. It’s more focused on academics, flexibility, and letting students work at their own pace, rather than creating a social or community environment. I haven’t interacted with other students, so it’s hard to say how connected everyone feels, but I’ve never felt excluded or overlooked. The teachers have always been respectful and responsive, and I felt supported even without regular contact with others. If OVS were to build a stronger sense of community, maybe adding optional forums or virtual meet-ups could help students connect and feel more involved. Still, for what it offers, it does its job well.

(5) School Location

Since Ontario Virtual School is fully online, the concept of “going off campus” or moving between different locations during the day doesn’t really apply. Students attend class from wherever they are, whether that’s at home, a library, or another quiet space. This makes OVS very different from a traditional school with a physical campus. One of the biggest benefits is that there’s no need to travel or switch classrooms; everything is accessible through the online portal. This flexibility allows students to create their own ideal learning environment and schedule, which can be especially helpful for those balancing other commitments. So, while there isn’t a campus to move around, the freedom to learn anywhere is a major advantage of OVS.

(5) Admissions

The admissions process at Ontario Virtual School was very straightforward and simple. Unlike traditional schools that might require an application form, interviews, or entrance exams, the main step for me was just purchasing the course I wanted to take. There wasn’t much of a formal application process, which made it quick and easy to get started. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it wasn’t stressful at all, more like a straightforward transaction. My advice to someone planning to apply would be to make sure you know exactly which course you want and to check the course schedule carefully so it fits your needs. Now that I’ve been through it, I realize it’s important to be self-motivated and organized since you won’t get the same kind of admission guidance or orientation you might get at a traditional school.