REVIEW OF Ontario Virtual School BY student, Nika Afendikova

(5) Student Experience

My experience with Ontario Virtual School has been very positive. I really liked the flexibility of being able to study at my own pace and organize my schoolwork around my schedule. The video format of the lessons was also helpful because I could pause, go back, and review difficult topics whenever I needed to. The course also offered many opportunities to practice. In addition to the textbook, the course included practice activities and separate exercises for each chapter. I especially had a great experience with my biology teacher, Maria McQuade. She always responded to my emails quickly and was very understanding and helpful whenever I had questions. For example, I had some confusion with my proctor and had to reschedule my final exam twice. She understood my situation and helped me figure out what to do, which made the whole process much less stressful. Another thing I really appreciated was how quickly my assignments were marked, because this allowed me to see my mistakes, learn from the feedback, and continue with the course without having to wait a long time. Because of the fast marking, I was also able to complete my biology course faster.

The Best Part

I think the best part about being a student at this school is being able to understand the subject better. This was something I really wanted when I started the course, and I am happy that I got it. The lessons and practice helped me understand the topics much better, and I am very thankful for that.

Suggested Improvements

One thing I would improve is giving students more ways to connect with each other. Since the school is online, it would be nice to have more opportunities to communicate with other students, share ideas, and help each other with studying.

Hidden Details

Something that might surprise new students is how easy it is to get help when you need it. Even though the school is online, teachers respond to questions and emails quickly, sometimes even on weekends or during holidays.

(5) School Leadership

The staff at OVS are very good at communication. They always answer phone calls and respond to emails quickly, which makes it easy to get help when you need it. My biology teacher, Maria McQuade, was also very helpful and supportive. She answered my emails quickly, explained things when I had questions, and was very understanding when I had problems with my proctor and had to reschedule my exam. I really appreciated how easy it was to communicate with both the staff and my teacher.

(5) Teaching

I always feel like I know what my teacher expects from me because after each assignment, my teacher gives feedback, points out my mistakes, and leaves comments that help me understand what I should improve. I always read the feedback and try to use it in my next assignments. This helps me avoid making the same mistakes again and improve throughout the course. I also think the amount of work is fair because the questions and assignments are based on the topics we learn in the lessons. I never felt like I was being asked to do something that was completely different from what I had learned. The lessons, practice, and feedback made it clear what I needed to know and helped me feel more prepared for tests and assignments.

(5) Academics

I think the level of work at OVS is very similar to what you would expect in a regular school. Some topics are easier, and some are more challenging, but overall the difficulty is fair. The lessons explain the material clearly, and there is enough practice (like games, practice tests/exam, and the textbook) to help you understand harder topics before completing assignments or tests. I also think what I learned will be useful in the future, especially because the course helped me build a stronger understanding of the subject. One suggestion I would give to accounting students is to use the textbook, complete all the homework, and do as many practice questions as possible. The practice questions really help you understand the material better and prepare for tests and assignments. Overall, the academic level feels balanced and gives students enough support while still requiring them to put effort into their work.

(5) School Life

If I were giving someone a tour of OVS, I would probably show them the Challenges section first. I think it is a very interesting feature because students can challenge other students, earn points for their courses, and make learning more interactive. Since OVS is an online school, I think this feature is a great way to make students feel more involved and connected to the school. I would also show visitors how the courses are organized and where students can find their lessons, assignments, practice activities, and other resources. I would explain how easy it is to go through the lessons at your own pace and return to topics when you need more practice. I would also show them the different support options available to students. I think these features are important because they show that online school can still be organized, interactive, and supportive.

(5) Admissions

The admissions process at OVS was very simple and easy to understand. I did not find it stressful because everything was clearly explained and the registration process did not take a lot of time. When you first register, you are also given a tour that shows you how to use the program and where to find everything. I found this very helpful because I was able to understand how everything worked right away. The website is easy to use and well organized, so it does not take long to get comfortable with it. Overall, my experience with the admissions process was very positive and easy.