REVIEW OF Ontario Virtual School BY student, Isabelle Smith

(5) Student Experience

I took Grade 12 Biology in French through Ontario Virtual School, and it was honestly a great experience. The course was super well-organized and everything was laid out clearly by unit, so I always knew what to do. The lessons were easy to follow, even in French, because the instructions and content were written in a simple, straightforward way. It wasn’t stressful at all, and I liked being able to work at my own pace. My teacher was really helpful and always responded quickly to my emails with clear, kind answers. I never felt like I was on my own. The assignments and tests matched the lessons really well, so nothing felt random or confusing. I actually enjoyed learning the material more than I thought I would. Overall, I’d definitely recommend OVS to any student looking for a flexible and smooth online course.

(5) School Leadership

Since I took my course through Ontario Virtual School, I didn’t have a lot of direct contact with the school leadership, like the headmaster or guidance counsellors, so I didn’t really get to know them on a personal level. That said, I always felt like they were available if I ever needed help. The communication was clear, and any time I had a question about the course or scheduling, I got quick and helpful replies. I respect that the school is well-run and organized, which makes it easier for me to focus on learning. I think they do a great job creating a smooth system for students. If anything, I just wish there were a few more chances to connect with leadership or get involved in optional virtual events or workshops, which could make the experience feel a bit more personal.

(5) Teaching

I felt like my OVS Biology teacher struck the right balance, never asking too much or too little. The workload matched the lesson content, so I never felt overwhelmed, but I also knew I couldn’t slack off. Every assignment and quiz was clearly tied to what we’d just covered, so I always knew exactly what was expected of me. Deadlines were reasonable, and because the platform showed each task’s requirements and due dates up front, there were no surprises. When my teacher talked about “success,” I got the sense they meant more than just getting high marks. They imagined me truly understanding the material, being able to explain concepts in French, apply them to new problems, and feel confident going into university science courses. Success for them seemed to be about building both knowledge and skills: critical thinking, clear communication, and self-management. In short, they wanted me to learn deeply and develop habits that would help me beyond this one course.

(5) Academics

For me, the work in the Grade 12 French Biology course through OVS was just right. It definitely challenged me, especially since it was in French, but it wasn’t overwhelming or confusing. Everything was explained clearly, and I always had the tools I needed to succeed, like notes, videos, and quick help from my teacher when I needed it. I do think what I learned will be useful later in life, especially since I want to go into something science-related after high school. Even if someone doesn’t plan to study science, I still think biology helps you understand how the human body works, how diseases spread, how the environment affects us, and real-life things that actually matter. Plus, doing the course in French helped me strengthen my language skills, which is a big bonus if you want to stay bilingual in the future.

(5) School Life

Since Ontario Virtual School is fully online, I wouldn’t be giving a tour of a physical building, but if I had to give a virtual “tour,” I’d start by showing them the student dashboard. That’s the first thing you see when you log in, and it’s where everything starts. I’d explain how all your courses are listed there, and how easy it is to access lessons, assignments, grades, and messages. I’d show them how the course is organized by unit, with each section clearly laid out so students never feel lost. I'd also show them how to contact the teacher if they need to. I’d start there because it shows right away how simple and well-structured the school is, which is really important when you’re learning independently and at home.

(5) Admissions

The admissions process for Ontario Virtual School was actually really simple and not stressful at all. I remember going on their website, choosing the course I wanted (in my case, Grade 12 French Biology), and then filling out a short form with my basic information. After that, I paid the course fee and got access to the course pretty quickly, it was way faster than I expected. There wasn’t a long wait or complicated steps like at other schools. If I had to give advice to someone applying, I’d say: make sure you know which course code you need and have your school’s guidance counselor involved if you're doing it for credit. That helps make the process smoother, especially for getting it added to your transcript later. I wasn’t stressed at all, but I do remember wondering how final exams and report cards would work. I know now that OVS handles all really professionally and sends everything to your school when it’s done. Looking back, I wish I’d known earlier how easy it would be to manage the course and how organized everything was going to be; it would've made me less nervous at the start.