Ontario Virtual School

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School Facilities Gallery

Photo-tour of facilities

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• Campus
• Classrooms

Campus

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Gallery showcasing specific locations and facilities found at Ontario Virtual School.

• Curriculum Traditional
  [Show definition of Curriculum]

  Central to your child's school experience is the underlying curriculum taught in the classroom. "Curriculum" refers to both what is taught and how it's taught. When considering the different curricula outlined in the next few pages, keep in mind that few schools fall neatly into one category or another. Most schools' curricula comprise a blend of best practices drawn from multiple curriculum types. Having said that, most schools do have a general overall curriculum type. These are identified for each school on OurKids.net.

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  Curriculum approach at Ontario Virtual School : Traditional

  Ontario Virtual School has a Traditional approach to Curriculum (as opposed to Liberal Arts, Progressive, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf approach).

  [Show: About Traditional?]

  Traditional curricula tend to be very content-based and rooted in the core disciplines. It is a structured approach that involves the teacher delivering a uni?ed curriculum through direct instruction. Students usually learn by observing and listening to their teacher, studying facts and concepts in textbooks, and completing both tests and written assignments - which challenge students to not only demonstrate their mastery of content but their ability to analyze and deconstruct it critically. Class discussions are also used to create critical dialogue around the content of the curriculum.

  Curriculum at schools on OurKids.net

    Traditional - 42%
    Liberal arts - 16%
    Progressive - 27%
    Montessori - 14%
    Reggio Emilia - 0%
    Waldorf - 1%
  

  What Ontario Virtual School says: All of our lessons are interactive and professionally animated, including voice narration and video multimedia to enhance the learning environment. Course instruction and study are done both online and offline, so students can spend more time on a lesson requiring extra attention and move more quickly through a concept that is more easily grasped. Our Learning Management System brings the school to you and allows access to course material 24 hours a day. If you ever need any assistance, our qualified teachers and staff are an email, phone call or Skype/Facechat away!

  Approach:

  Focus	Special needs
  Academic	Gifted, Special needs , Troubled Teens

  Pedagogies and subject courses:

  • Mathematics Equal Balance

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    Mathematics approach at Ontario Virtual School : Equal Balance

    Ontario Virtual School has an Equal Balance approach to Mathematics (as opposed to Traditional Math , Discovery Math approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.

    Mathematics at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 66%
      Traditional math - 27%
      Discovery math - 7%
    

    What Ontario Virtual School says: The following Math courses are offered
    MHF4U- Grade 12 Advanced Functions
    MCV4U- Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors
    MDM4U- Grade 12 Data Management
    MAP4C- Grade 12 Foundations of College Mathematics
    MDM4U- Grade 12 Mathematics For College Technology
    MCR3U- Grade 11 Functions
    MCF3M- Grade 11 Functions and Applications
    MPM2D- Grade 10 Math
    MPM1D- Grade 9 Math
    

    Textbooks and supplementary materials: This information is not currently available.

    Calculator policy: This information is not currently available.

  • Science Equal Balance

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    Science approach at Ontario Virtual School : Equal Balance

    Ontario Virtual School has an Equal Balance approach to Science (as opposed to Expository , Inquiry approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.

    Science at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 67%
      Expository - 5%
      Inquiry - 28%
    

    Teaching approach: OVS offers the following Science Courses:
    SCH4U- Grade 12 Chemistry
    SCH4C- Grade 12 College Chemistry
    SPH4U- Grade 12 Physics
    SPH4C- Grade 12 College Physics
    SBI4U- Grade 12 Biology
    SCH3U- Grade 11 Chemistry
    SPH3U- Grade 11 Physics
    SBI3U- Grade 11 Biology
    SBI3C- Grade 11 College Biology
    SNC2D- Grade 10 Science
    SNC1D- Grade 9 Science
    SNC1P- Grade 9 Applied Science
    

    Topics covered in curriculum:

    Subject	offered
    Biology
    Chemistry
    Ecology
    Geology
    Meteorology
    Physics
    Physiology
    Zoology

    Treatment of evolution:

    Subject	offered
    Evolution as consensus theory
    Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
    Evolution is not taught

  • Literature Equal Balance

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    Literature approach at Ontario Virtual School : Equal Balance

    Ontario Virtual School has an Equal Balance approach to Literature (as opposed to Traditional , Social Justice approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.

    Literature at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 73%
      Traditional - 23%
      Social justice - 4%
    

    What Ontario Virtual School says: OVS offers the following Science Courses:
    ENG4U- Grade 12 English
    SBI4C- Grade 12 College English
    EBT4O- Grade 12 Business and Technology English
    EWC4U- Grade 12 Writer's Craft
    OLC4O- Grade 12 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course
    ENG3U- Grade 11 English
    ENG3C- Grade 11 College English
    ENG3E- Grade 11 Workplace English
    ENG2D- Grade 10 English
    ENG1D- Grade 9 English
    

  • Humanities and Social Sciences Equal Balance

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    Humanities and Social Sciences approach at Ontario Virtual School : Equal Balance

    Ontario Virtual School has an Equal Balance approach to Humanities and Social Sciences (as opposed to Perennialism , Pragmatism approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.

    Humanities and Social Sciences at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 80%
      Perennialism - 11%
      Pragmatism - 9%
    

    What Ontario Virtual School says: OVS offers the following Science Courses:
    CGR4M- Grade 12 Environment and Resource Management
    CGW4U- Grade 12 World Issues: A Geographic Analysis
    CIA4U- Grade 12 Analyzing Current Economic Issues
    CHY4U- Grade 12 World History since the Fifteenth Century
    CLN4U- Grade 12 Canadian and International Law
    HHS4U- Grade 12 Families in Canada
    HSB4U- Grade 12 Challenge and Change in Society
    HZT4U- Grade 12 Philosophy
    CHW3M- Grade 11 World History to the End of the Fifteenth Century
    HRT3M- Grade 11 World Religion
    HSP3U- Grade 11 Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology/a>
    CHC2D- Grade 10 Canadian History
    HIF2O- Grade 10 Individual and Family Living
    CGC1D- Grade 9 Issues in Canadian Geography
    

  • Foreign Languages Equal Balance

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    Foreign Languages approach at Ontario Virtual School : Equal Balance

    Ontario Virtual School has an Equal Balance approach to Foreign Languages (as opposed to Audio-Lingual , Communicative approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.

    Foreign Languages at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 60%
      Audio-lingual - 2%
      Communicative - 38%
    

    What Ontario Virtual School says: OVS offers the following Science Courses:
    FSF4U- Grade 12 French
    FSF2D- Grade 10 Core French
    FSF1D- Grade 9 Core French
    FSF1P- Grade 9 Applied Core French
    

  • Fine Arts Equal Balance

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    Fine Arts approach at Ontario Virtual School : Equal Balance

    Ontario Virtual School has an Equal Balance approach to Fine Arts (as opposed to Receptive , Creative approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.

    Fine Arts at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 61%
      Receptive - 1%
      Creative - 38%
    

    Program offers:

    Subject	offered
    Acting
    Dance
    Drama/Theatre
    Graphic Design
    Music
    Visual Arts

    Visual studio philosophy:

    Expressive
    Disciplined

    What Ontario Virtual School says: OVS offers the following Science Courses:
    AWQ4M- Grade 12 Photography
    AVI2O- Grade 10 Visual Arts
    

  • Computers and Technology Heavy integration

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    Computers and Technology approach at Ontario Virtual School : Heavy integration

    Ontario Virtual School has a Heavy integration approach to Computers and Technology (as opposed to Light integration , Medium integration approach).

    [Show: About Heavy integration?]

    A major effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy throughout the curriculum and in everything students do. Digital literacy is understood to be a fundamental skill in the 21st century: it therefore follows, the idea goes, that teachers should find ways to connect every lesson back to technology. Effort is made to ensure the use of technology is meaningful and advances students’ skills beyond what they would otherwise be from using computers outside the classroom.

    Computers and Technology at schools on OurKids.net

      Heavy integration - 30%
      Light integration - 24%
      Medium integration - 46%
    

    What Ontario Virtual School says:
    BAT4M- Grade 12 Financial Accounting Principles
    BBB4M- Grade 12 International Business
    ICS4U- Grade 12 Computer Science
    BAF3M- Grade 11 Financial Accounting Fundamentals
    GWL3O- Grade 11 Designing Your Future
    BTT2O- Grade 10 Information and Communication Technology
    GLC2O- Grade 10 Career Studies
    BTT1O- Grade 9 Information and Communication Technology
    

    Program covers:

    Subject	offered
    Computer science
    Robotics
    Web design

  • Physical Education

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    What Ontario Virtual School says:
    PPZ3C- Grade 11 Health for Life
    

  • Advanced Placement courses

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    This information is not currently available.
  • Sex and health education

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    Ontario Virtual School 's approach to sex-ed: This information is not currently available.

  
  

  Jump to:

  • Mathematics

  • Science

  • Literature

  • Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Foreign Languages

  • Fine Arts

  • Computers and Technology

  • Physical Education

  • Advanced Placement courses

  • Sex and health education
• Curriculum Pace Student-paced
  [Show definition of Curriculum Pace]

  This refers to the rate at which students move through the curriculum (e.g., topics, textbook material, skills, etc.). Curriculum pace is often defined in comparison to provincial standards.

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  Curriculum Pace approach at Ontario Virtual School : Student-paced

  Ontario Virtual School has a Student-paced approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Standard-enriched, Accelerated approach).

  [Show: About Student-paced?]

  The main curriculum pace is non-standardized and is HIGHLY responsive to the pacing of individual students, (via differentiated instruction, differentiated assessment, etc). In theory, some students outpace the default/normalized curriculum, while others spend periods "behind schedule" if they need the extra time.

  Curriculum Pace at schools on OurKids.net

    Student-paced - 28%
    Standard-enriched - 57%
    Accelerated - 15%
  

  What Ontario Virtual School says: Students can register for courses at any time of the year. In addition, students can complete courses as quickly as four weeks, allowing learners to set their own due dates and customize their schedule and pace.

  Flexible pacing style

  Flexible pacing style	offered
  Subject-streaming (tracking)
  Multi-age classrooms as standard
  Ability-grouping (in-class) as common
  Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace)
  Regular guided independent study opportunities
  Differentiated assessment

  What Ontario Virtual School says about flexible pacing: Our non-standardized pace is responsive to the pacing of each student. There is no such thing as "behind schedule", if they need extra time to master a module, we're ready to help support them.

• Academic Culture Supportive
  [Show definition of Academic Culture]

  Through the collective mindset of teachers, administrators, students, and parents, each school develops and maintains its own academic culture. This generally relates to the norms and expectations created around academic performance. Many parents look to private schools because they want a specific type of culture. Some want a rigorous environment that will elevate their child to new heights. Others want a nurturing environment that will help their child develop a passion for learning.

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  Academic Culture approach at Ontario Virtual School : Supportive

  Ontario Virtual School has a Supportive approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Rigorous approach).

  [Show: About Supportive?]

  A school with a “supportive” academic culture focuses more on process than short-term outcomes: academic performance is a welcomed side-benefit, but not the driving focus. This does not mean the school lacks standards, or has low expectations for its students: a school can have a supportive academic culture and still light the fire of ambition in its students. It does mean, however, the school provides a less intensive culture than schools with a “rigorous” academic classification, and is focused more simply on instilling a love of learning and life-long curiosity.

  Academic Culture at schools on OurKids.net

    Supportive - 54%
    Rigorous - 46%
  

  What Ontario Virtual School says: The vision of Ontario Virtual School is to empower all learners through the use of technology to experience scholastic success. We strive to promote students to achieve their highest academic potential at a pace that best supports their personal learning style.

• Developmental priorities Balanced
  [Show definition of Developmental priorities]

  Schools have specific goals regarding how they want their educate and develop their students. This is part of a school's overall philosophy or vision, which is contained in its mission statement. While they tend have several developmental aims, schools tend to priortize certain aims, such as intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional, or physical development.

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  Primary Developmental Priority: Balanced

  "Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation."

  Secondary Developmental Priority: Intellectual

  The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."

  What Ontario Virtual School says: At OVS, we enable learners to gain confidence, develop self-awareness and personal motivation. With teacher support, our students learn to persevere through an independent and self-regulatory learning model.

• Special needs support Special needs school
  [Show definition of Special needs support]

  Schools offer a wide range of approaches and services to support students with special needs. This may include individualized learning, one-on-one support, small classes, resource rooms, and learning aids. These supports may be provided in a number of different environments such as a dedicated special needs school or class, an integrated class, a withdrawal class, or a regular class with resource support or in-class adaptations.

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  Ontario Virtual School is a Special needs school

  Full-time programming is offered for all students which is exclusively focused on one or more special needs.

  What Ontario Virtual School says about their special need support: “Awesome school, courses are clear and precise! They teach all five styles of learning, therefore, it easy to complete a course and get good grades. My son has an L.D. and has now got a 90+ average in grade 11 Academic courses. He was told in public school to go applied his grade average was 70%. Let kids learn the way they want to and they will succeed.” S. Clarkson, Parent

  Academic Support:

  Subject Type	offered
  Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation
  Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties

  Mild but clinically diagnosed ADHD:

  Subject Type	offered
  Accommodations
  Modifications
  Extra support

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  Summary: OVS recognizes the tremendous demands and stress that students can experience throughout their high school lives. Making course selection choices, looking at a host of post secondary options, as well as personal & socio-emotional problems are all barriers that obstruct students from achieving to their academic potential.

  A - Forms of Support

  Accommodation:

  Modification:

  Remediation:

  B - Environments

  Indirect Support:

  Resource Assistance:

  Withdrawal Assistance:

  Partial Integration:

  Full-Time Class:

  
  

  Special NeedNeed

  Forms of SupportA

  EnvironmentsB

  ADHD

  • Learning disabilities
    Dyslexia (Language-Based Learning Disability)

    This is a learning disability that can limit a child's ability to read and learn. It can have a variety of traits. A few of the main ones are impaired phonological awareness and decoding, problems with orthographic coding, and auditory short-term memory impairment.

    Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

    This is a sound differentiation disorder involving problems with reading, comprehension, and language.

    Dyscalculia

    This is a kind of specific learning disability in math. Kids with this math disorder have problems with calculation. They may also have problems with math-related concepts such as time and money.

    Dysgraphia

    This is a kind of specific learning disability in writing. It involves problems with handwriting, spelling, and organizing ideas.

    Language Processing Disorder

    This is characterized by having extreme difficulty understanding what is heard and expressing what one wants to say. These disorders affect the area of the brain that controls language processing.

    Nonverbal Learning Disorders (NLD)

    These involve difficulties interpreting non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language. They're usually characterized by a significant discrepancy between higher verbal skills and weaker motor, visual-spatial, and social skills.

    Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit

    A characteristic seen in people with learning disabilities such as Dysgraphia or Non-verbal LD. It can result in missing subtle differences in shapes or printed letters, losing place frequently, struggles with cutting, holding pencil too tightly, or poor eye/hand coordination.
  • Developmental
    Autism

    Refers to a range of conditions that involve challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and speech and nonverbal communication. They also involve unique strengths and differences. For instance, there are persons with both low- and high-functioning autism (some claim the latter is identical to Asperger's syndrome).

    Asperger's Syndrome

    On the autism spectrum, Asperger's is considered quite mild in terms of symptoms. While traits can vary widely, many kids with Asperger's struggle with social skills. They also sometimes fixate on certain subjects and engage in repetitive behaviour.

    Down syndrome

    his is associated with impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics.

    Intellectual disability

    This is a condition characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning (e.g., reasoning, learning, and problem solving). Intellectual disabilities are also known as general learning disabilities (and used to be referred to as a kind of mental retardation).

    Williams syndrome

    This is a rare genetic disorder present at birth. It is characterized by intellectual disabilities or learning problems, unique facial features, and cardiovascular problems.

    Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

    Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy. These may include growth deficits, facial anomalies, and damage to the central nervous system, which can lead to cognitive, behavioural, and other problems.
  • Behavioral and Emotional
    Troubled behaviour / troubled teens

    roubled teens tend to have problems that are intense, persistent, and can lead to quite unpredictable behaviour. This can lead to behavioural and emotional issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, criminal behaviour, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.

    Clinical Depression

    This is a mental health disorder also called "major depression." It involves persistent feelings of sadness, loss, and anger. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms are usually severe enough to cause noticeable problems in relationships with others or in daily activities, such as school, work, or one's social life.

    Clinical anxiety

    This is a mood disorder involving intense, relentless feelings of distress and fear. They can also have excessive and persistent worry about everyday situations, and repeated episodes of intense anxiety or terror.

    Suicidal thoughts

    This involves persistent thoughts about ending one's life.

    Drug and alcohol abuse

    This involves the excessive use of drug and/or alcohol, which interferes with daily functioning.

    Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

    This is a disruptive behavioural disorder which normally involves angry outbursts, often directed at people of authority. This behaviour must last continuously for six months or more and significantly interfere with daily functioning.
  • Physical
    Multiple sclerosis

    This is a condition of the central nervous system. It affects the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Symptoms can include fatigue, loss of motor control, memory loss, depression, and cognitive difficulties.

    Cerebral palsy

    his refers to a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. CP is caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture.

    Muscular dystrophy

    Muscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disorder which weakens the body's muscles. Causes, symptoms, age of onset, and prognosis vary between individuals.

    Spina Bifida

    This is a condition present at birth due to the incomplete formation of the spine and spinal cord. It can lead to a number of physical challenges, including paralysis or weakness in the legs, bowel and bladder incontinence, hydrocephalus (too much fluid in the brain), and deformities of the spine.

    Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder)

    This is a Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Also known as "sensory integration disorder," it affects fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It may also affect speech.

    Blindness

    Visual impairment is a decreased ability or inability to see that can't be fixed in usual ways, such as with glasses. Some people are completely blind, while others have what's called "legal blindness."

    Deafness

    Hearing impairment, also known as "hearing loss," is a partial or total inability to hear. The degree of hearing impairment varies between people. It can range from complete hearing loss (or deafness) to partial hearing loss (meaning the ears can pick up some sounds).

    Cystic Fibrosis

    Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic condition, which affects the body's respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. It affects young children and adults.

    Multiple physical

    Accommodating a wide range of physical conditions and disabilities.

  Read our guide to special needs schools and special education

• Gifted learner support Dedicated gifted school
  [Show definition of Gifted learner support]

  Schools support students with gifted or advanced learning abilities in a several ways. Whether they offer a full-time gifted program or part-time support, they normally provide some form of accelerated learning (delivering content at a faster pace) or enrichment (covering content more broadly or deeply). Many schools also offer a wide range of in-class adaptations to support advanced learners, such as guided independent studies, project-based learning, and career exploration.

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  Dedicated gifted programs:

  Program	offered
  Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school)
  Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class)

  Curriculum delivery: Acceleration and enrichment (There is an equal emphasis on acceleration and enrichment.)

  In-class adaptations:

  Program	offered
  Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement)
  Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement)
  Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement)
  Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement)
  Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others)
  Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement)
  Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement)
  Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement)
  Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement)

  What Ontario Virtual School says: You can progress quickly through the interactive lessons and practice quizzes. When you are ready you can complete the unit evaluations and submit them into the dropbox for your teacher to evaluate and provide feedback. You can type out your answers, do them on paper and scan them or take a picture of your handwritten work as submission for each of the evaluations.

• Language English
  Ontario Virtual School offers English as the primary language of instruction.

  Language of enrollment include: English
• Report Card Policy
  [Show definition of Report Card Policy]

  While all schools measure individual progress and achievement in students, they have different ways of doing this. For instance, many traditional schools gauge progress through report cards, which give students lettered or numbered grades. Other schools, meanwhile, measure progress in other ways, either in addition to or instead of giving grades. For instance, they may offer prose-based feedback (i.e, comments), academic achievement reporting, habits and behaviour reporting, and parent-teacher meetings. In choosing the right school for your child, take a close look at its policy for measuring the individual progress of students.

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  How assessments are delivered across the grades:

  Lettered or numbered grades	Gr. 8 to Gr. 12
  Prose (narrative)-based feedback	Gr. 8 to Gr. 12
  Academic achievement reporting	Gr. 8 to Gr. 12
  Habits and behaviour reporting	Gr. 8 to Gr. 12
  Parent-teacher meetings	Gr. 8 to Gr. 12

As Principal of Ontario Virtual School (OVS), I cannot tell you how proud I am to work with the team of experienced teachers who are all committed to providing a thriving educational environment that supports all learners, maintains high expectations for all, and strives to develop caring, compassionate global citizens.

OVS has been operating for several years now and our vision remains the same:

“To empower all learners, through the use of technology so that they can experience academic success”. 

We aim to propel students to achieve their highest academic potential at their own pace which supports their specific learning style and needs.

The inspiration behind launching OVS originates from recognizing that there was a need for an online school that could better meet the needs of todays' students. For example students who cannot attend classes on a regular basis due to personal/family reasons, health/emotional reasons, athletic commitments or a full time jobs can still reap the benefits of a learning experience. Ontario Virtual School also assists students with upgrading their marks in challenging courses in order to improve their understanding and increase their chances of gaining acceptance into competitive post-secondary programs.

Knowing that we are able to serve our community in supporting their academic goals; whether it is to go to post-secondary institution, go into a trade or apprenticeship, join the workforce or simply graduate from high school, is a very rewarding feeling.

Thank you for exploring our profile and its various links to learn more about our school. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

Sincerely,

Gary Michael