REVIEW OF Ontario Virtual School BY student, Josh O

(5) Student Experience

I took BBB4M with Ms. Dionne. I genuinely loved my experience at Ontario Virtual School. The best part was the flexibility — I could move at my own pace, which made balancing school with my other responsibilities way easier. One thing I wish I knew earlier is how quickly teachers respond; I was worried online learning would be isolating, but the support is actually super fast. If I could change one thing, maybe it would be adding optional live sessions just to help connect more with peers or instructors. Otherwise, the course layout is really clear and structured well. The practice tests and online textbooks were also a huge help when studying — they made a big difference for me. Honestly, OVS made the learning experience smoother than I expected, and the fact that they posted my marks to my school quickly helped a ton with my university applications.

(5) School Leadership

Yes, I definitely respect the teachers and the whole staff at Ontario Virtual School. The teachers were super helpful — they always responded quickly to my questions and gave detailed feedback on assignments. I also reached out to the Student Success Team once, and they were super nice and helpful. You can tell that everyone really cares about helping students succeed. One thing they do well is making the course expectations super clear, which makes it easier to manage my time and work. If I had to suggest anything, maybe it would be having a few more check-in emails or reminders just to keep students on track. But overall, I feel like the leadership really understands what students need, especially for those of us who take courses outside of regular day school. They make the whole process, from enrollment to completing the course, really smooth.

(5) Teaching

I think the workload at Ontario Virtual School was just right. The assignments and tests were fair, and I always knew what the teachers expected from me. The rubrics and instructions were super clear, and it never felt like I was being thrown into something without support. When teachers talk about success, it seems like they really want students to understand the material and build confidence, not just memorize things for a test. I appreciated that they gave practice quizzes and review materials to help us prepare. It’s clear they’re aiming for long-term understanding, not just short-term results. I never felt overwhelmed, but I also never felt like it was too easy or a waste of time. It was a solid balance that kept me engaged without burning me out, especially since I was taking this course outside of my regular school schedule.

(5) Academics

The difficulty level at OVS was honestly just right for me. The lessons were easy to follow, but they still challenged me to think critically and apply what I’d learned. I never felt like I was coasting, but it wasn’t overwhelming either. Plus, having access to the online textbook made things way easier whenever I needed to review or clarify something. I think the skills I learned — especially the independent time management and self-study habits — will absolutely be useful later in life, especially in university. The course content itself also felt very relevant, and the structure helped me build study skills I didn’t even realize I needed. Having the ability to go back and review lessons, pause videos, and retake quizzes helped me learn in a deeper way. It wasn’t just about finishing the course — it felt like actual learning that will stick with me.

(5) School Life

If I were giving a tour of Ontario Virtual School — even though it’s online — I’d probably start with the student dashboard. That’s the place where everything comes together: your lessons, grades, deadlines, and support contacts. It’s super user-friendly and really makes you feel like everything is organized. From there, I’d show off the lesson pages. Each unit is laid out clearly, and there are video lessons, notes, and practice questions to walk you through everything. It’s honestly so much more efficient than flipping through a physical textbook. I’d also point out the resources, like the online textbook and practice exams, because they helped me a lot with studying. Even though there’s no physical space to tour, the digital layout and design of the course make it really easy to succeed, and that’s what I’d want visitors to see first.

(5) Admissions

The admissions process at Ontario Virtual School was super easy and stress-free. I decided to take a course through OVS instead of my day school because I needed more flexibility in my schedule. Signing up was quick — I just picked my course online, filled out the form, and within a day or two, I had access to everything. I’d say to anyone thinking of applying: don’t overthink it. It’s really straightforward, and the office staff is quick to respond if you have questions. The only thing I wish I had known earlier is how fast the course can move — since it’s self-paced, it’s up to you to stay motivated. But that actually ended up being a good thing because it taught me responsibility. When I finished, OVS sent my final mark to my school without any issues, which was a huge relief during university application season. Thanks, OVS, for everything!