REVIEW OF Ontario Virtual School BY student, Meghan Luu

(5) Student Experience

Taking a course with OVS was a positive and convenient experience for me. One of the best parts of OVS was the flexibility it offered. I could work at my own pace and fit studying around my schedule, which helped me manage my time during a busy semester. My teacher, Ms. Bertolo, was very helpful and always responded to emails and marked assessments in a timely manner. This kept me motivated and aware of my progress. I made use of the online textbook and practice tests, which helped me prepare for both the tests and the exam. The layout of the course was easy to follow, and I always knew exactly what was expected in each unit. If there’s one area OVS could improve, it would be to make the lessons a bit more detailed.

(5) School Leadership

I have a lot of respect for the school leaders at OVS. They clearly care about student success and work hard to create a smooth and supportive online learning experience. The communication from the school was always professional and timely, and I appreciated how organized everything was. One thing they do really well is providing students with independence while still offering help when needed. One area they could improve on is offering more opportunities for check-ins or optional virtual meetings with teachers to help students through any challenges they’re facing.

(5) Teaching

I think the teachers at OVS have a good balance when it comes to expectations. They don’t ask too much, but they also challenge you to be independent. The instructions for assignments and tests were clear, and there were often rubrics or examples to guide me. When teachers talk about success, I think it’s more than just getting good marks. It feels like they want students to understand the material, take initiative, and grow as independent learners. Success at OVS seems to mean being motivated, managing your time well, and developing the confidence to learn on your own. The structure of the course encouraged me to stay organized, and the clear expectations helped reduce stress. I appreciated that the teachers focused not only on grades but also on building academic habits that will help students beyond the course.

(5) Academics

I found the workload at OVS to be just right. It challenged me to think critically and stay motivated, but it wasn’t overwhelming. The lessons were clearly explained, and the pacing allowed me to learn at my own speed. I appreciated how the course encouraged independent learning while still offering support when needed. I definitely think what I learned will be useful later in life. Beyond just the course content, I developed important skills like time management, self-regulation, and problem-solving. These skills will help me succeed in university and future careers. The assignments pushed me to apply concepts in real-world contexts, which made the learning more meaningful. Overall, the course helped me grow both academically and personally, and I’m glad I took it through OVS.

(5) School Life

If I were to give a tour of OVS to a group of visitors, I would start with the online student portal. Since OVS is a virtual school, the portal is really the “heart” of the experience—it’s where students access their courses, lessons, assignments, grades, and communication with teachers. It’s also where you get a feel for how organized and accessible everything is. Starting there would show visitors just how easy it is to navigate the platform and how clearly each course is laid out. I’d highlight how flexible the structure is and how students can work at their own pace. It’s the perfect starting point because it shows how learning at OVS is designed to be both independent and supportive.

(5) Admissions

The admissions process at OVS was straightforward and user-friendly. It was easy to register for a course—everything was done online. There wasn’t much stress involved in the application process. OVS also made the instructions very clear about submitting marks to OUAC. You could start learning almost immediately, with no wait time for beginning the course. The process was efficient, flexible, and perfect for someone like me who wanted more control over their learning schedule.