REVIEW OF Ontario Virtual School BY student, Peter Pham

(5) Student Experience

I loved OVS, in my personal opinion. I enjoyed the fact that I was able to learn and complete this course at my own pace, regardless of the other courses I had in school. Because of this course, I was able to personally learn and grow in skills such as time management, as I had to figure out my own schedule for it. Additionally, I believe that for this reason, I was able to do better in my other courses since I had the freedom to focus on and plan my education, rather than having someone else who might not take my struggles at home and in school into consideration. Furthermore, I liked that I could rewatch my lessons and use them as a review, unlike in school, where you see the lesson once and it’s gone. Alongside that, I appreciated that they had a very hands-on success team, ensuring that students keep track of their education.

(4.5) School Leadership

Throughout my time at OVS, I can honestly say I respect the school leaders and staff. Although I didn’t hear much from the headmaster specifically, I received lots of help and support from both my teachers and guidance counsellors, regardless of the method of learning. Specifically regarding the guidance counsellors, I appreciated that I was able to call during the day for any requests I needed, such as having my marks input onto OUAC immediately without any issues.

(5) Teaching

I believe teachers at OVS are asking the required agenda that is enough for us to both learn and not feel stressed out throughout the year. During my MHF4U course, I was given 4 unit tests with lessons to teach each unit alongside additional gizmos and labs to help further our learning. In my personal opinion, I believe that the work given is perfect as I didn't stress out for my day school yet was still able to learn and retain information given to me throughout this course. Furthermore I saw my teacher look at our successes as his own, he was able to correct the work and give feedback alongside ensure our education. Due to this, I believe that my teacher asked of his students enough for us to thrive in university and feel confident in our successes and accomplishments.

(5) Academics

I found the workload to be just right. The teacher assigned us lessons, assignments, and tests to review and complete. Through this, I felt it was perfect for learning the work-life balance needed both in and outside of school. I was able to learn more confidently because I had more control over my education and could take ownership of what I was doing and learning, unlike in school, where teachers assign homework and tests without considering my other classes or out-of-school life. Because of this, I find what I learned useful later in life, as I was taught not just math but also important life skills.

(5) School Life

If I were asked to give a tour of the school to a group of visitors, I would choose to start with the science laboratories. Although my learning experience has been entirely virtual, I have always been fascinated by science, especially medicine. The science labs are where students get the chance to explore their curiosity through hands-on experiments and practical learning. This makes the labs an exciting and dynamic place that truly represents the spirit of discovery and inquiry at our school. Showing the visitors the labs first would allow me to share my passion for medicine and highlight the school’s excellent facilities that support students interested in science. It would also give the visitors a sense of how the school encourages students to engage deeply with subjects that can lead to important careers in healthcare and research.

(5) Admissions

The admissions process for OVS was very straightforward and simple. All I had to do was sign up for the courses I wanted online and pay the course fee through their website. The process was quick and did not require any complicated paperwork or interviews, which made it much less stressful than I expected. I also received helpful support over the phone when I had questions, which made the experience even smoother. If someone is planning to apply, my advice would be to make sure you have all your information ready and don’t hesitate to reach out to their support team if you need assistance. Looking back, I realize now how convenient and accessible the process was, especially compared to traditional school admissions. I found the process easy and not stressful at all.