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Frequently Asked Questions

General

How does it work?
Do VHS courses count towards my diploma or university application?
Do VHS credits count towards the online learning requirement for graduation in Ontario?
Can I take a course at VHS?
Can I earn an OSSD credit while in elementary school?
How long does a course take?
What are the tuition fees?
What are your additional costs?
Will VHS communicate with my school throughout my course?
Are the credits recognized by universities and colleges?

Registration

When can I enroll in a course at VHS?
How do I register?
What happens after I register?
Can I get a receipt for payments?

Student Support

What support will I have throughout the course?
Who will be my teacher?
What is my teacher's role throughout my course?
How long does it take for assessments to be graded?
Do I have to wait until an assignment is graded before I can move forward in the course?
How do I communicate with my teacher?
What happens after I earn a credit with VHS?
How does the tutoring work?
Do your teachers do live Zoom-style meetings or lessons?
Can this course be modified or personalized for my child's unique learning style, or accommodations as per their IEP?
Will the teacher send out reminders for work that is due and monitor progress to make sure the student is engaging with the course?
Can parents/guardians communicate with the teacher?

Guidance

I have an Individual Education Plan (IEP). How can VHS accommodate my exceptionality?
I am an English Language Learner (ELL). How can VHS accommodate this?
I do not live in Ontario, Canada. Can I still take courses with VHS?
How will OUAC/OCAS or the University know that I am taking a course with VHS?
What is a prerequisite course? Do I have to complete this course before I register?

Final Exam

How does the final exam work?
What is the procedure for writing the final exam?
If I choose to find my own proctor, who can I ask to proctor my exam?
When can I write the final exam?

 

General

  • How does it work?

    A student can register for any course at any time and work at their own pace. Each course contains instructional content that covers all the Ontario curriculum expectations and has been carefully designed by VHS's content development team. All of our writers and developers are experienced, qualified teachers in their respective fields, and each is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers. Assignments and quizzes appear throughout the course content. Students submit their answers and written assignments online. There are interactive activities and multimedia elements throughout the content to engage students, provide opportunities to practice understanding, and differentiate instruction. The assignments are submitted to the online Dropbox within the learning environment. Any tests or quizzes will be open-book, timed, and completed online. The final exam is also completed online under the supervision of our third-party online proctoring solution, Integrity Advocate*. Once the course is finished, Virtual High School will send an official copy of the final report card to the student's home school, where it can be added to the list of courses on their Ontario Student Transcript (OST).

    *If the online proctoring solution is not a good fit for the student, they may choose to arrange to write the exam under the supervision of an appropriate in-person proctor. Please see the Final Exam FAQ for further details.

  • Do VHS courses count towards my diploma or university application?

    Yes. This is the first question you should ask of any private school. VHS is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education and is qualified to issue OSSD credits, which are the same credits earned by students in bricks-and-mortar public schools and private schools in the province of Ontario. Our Ministry BSID# is 665681. View the VHS Accreditation Report.

  • Do VHS credits count towards the online learning requirement for graduation in Ontario?

    Yes! All VHS credits count towards the online learning requirement for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Visit the VHS blog for more information regarding this Ontario Ministry of Education requirement.

  • Can I take a course at VHS?

    Yes! Whether or not you are enrolled in university or college, another high school, or live in another country, you are eligible to take courses at VHS. Permission from your main school of registration is not required. Virtual High School will communicate with your school when you register for a course with VHS. Virtual High School will also send a copy of your midterm report card to your school when you reach that point in the course. When you have finished the course, VHS will send the final report card to your home school, where this course will be added to your ongoing Ontario Student Transcript (OST) in your Ontario Student Record (OSR). OSSD credits earned from VHS are the same as those earned at bricks-and-mortar schools in Ontario. See section 10.6 in the Ontario Schools Policy & Program Requirements document for specific details.

  • Can I earn an OSSD credit while in elementary school?

    Yes, the Reach Ahead program is for elementary students who wish to take high school courses. The principal of the student's elementary school, together with the principal of VHS and the student's parent, will decide if it is appropriate for the student to enrol in high school courses. VHS adheres to all standard school practices in accommodating a Reach Ahead student by recording and granting achievement as necessary.

    Students are typically eligible for Reach Ahead during the Grade 8 school year or the summer before Grade 9, as outlined in the Ontario Schools: Policy and Program Requirements section 2.5.2.1. Students and parents are asked to submit a Reach Ahead Enrolment Request prior to registration.

  • How long does a course take?

    Students proceed through their courses as quickly or as slowly as they desire. There are no schedules or due dates to follow—students decide when to hand in their assignments and when to take their tests to meet any personal deadlines they might have. Attendance is not tracked. Students have up to 18 months in which to complete their courses and have the option to pay for course extensions. Students choose when and how the coursework is completed. The course outline indicates that the course will take 110 hours and highlights the breakdown of each unit. Please keep in mind that the 110 hours reflect the number of hours a student may spend on the lessons and does not include additional time students may take to complete assignments or prepare for tests or examinations. At Virtual High School, we recognize that students learn at different paces, and therefore, our teachers do not track the amount of time students spend online working on their courses. The rate of progress through the course is based on the students' completion of the lessons and assessments.

  • What is a Fast Track Course

    Fast track courses guarantee 24-hour teacher email response times and 2-day assessment grading. They are otherwise identical to the non-fast track version of the course. Learn more about Fast track courses.

  • What are the tuition fees?

    Our tuition fees include all costs associated with the course—there are no textbooks required in addition to the tuition fees1. The tuition fees include tax.

    Grade Canadian Student2 International Student3
    9 $439 $614
    10 $439 $614
    11 $589 $764
    12 $589 $764

    1Note: Students may be required to borrow or purchase novels for English courses. Copies are readily available from used bookstores and libraries.
    2At VHS, students are considered Canadian students if they are Canadian citizens or have a permanent address in Canada.
    3At VHS, students are considered international students if they are not Canadian citizens nor permanently residing in Canada. If you are registering from an address outside of Canada and are (1) a Canadian Citizen, (2) have a permanent residence in Canada, or (3) are attending a Canadian International School that studies the Ontario curriculum, please be sure to contact our office before proceeding to register to ensure the appropriate course fee is applied.

  • What are your additional costs?

    VHS has very few additional costs. For the vast majority of our students, the tuition fee for their course is the only fee they pay to VHS. Additional fees may apply in the following circumstances:

    • Course Transfers: A student has the option to transfer from one course to another at any time within the 18-month completion deadline. If a student requests a transfer, an administrative fee will be required as the preliminary work will have to be repeated by our staff. It is important to note that if a student transfers into a new course, the 18-month deadline will not refresh. The student will be required to complete the new course within the original 18-month deadline, based upon the enrolment date of the original course. Transfers will not be available to a student who has completed more than three assessments. The decision of the VHS Registrar is final in all cases involving refund requests and course transfers.
    • OSSLT: Should a student wish to take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test at the VHS administrative office located in Bayfield, Ontario, a fee of $199 will apply. Should a student wish to take the OSSLT through VHS at an alternative location, a fee of $499 will apply.
    • Course Extensions: Students will have the opportunity to extend a course if they are unable to complete the course within the 18-month time limit. The extension options are listed below.
      • 1 additional month: $99
      • 2 additional months: $149
      • 3 additional months: $199
      • 4 additional months: $249
      • 5 additional months: $299
      • 6 additional months: $349
      The maximum length of extension allowed for any course is 6 months total. Students must pay for the extension on or before the date of expiration. Fees apply to the number of months being purchased at the time of transaction and are not calculated in combination with any extensions previously purchased by the student. For example, if a student purchases one month for $99 and requires an additional one month extension, the same fee ($99) will apply, with no fee reductions. Students will be removed from their courses on the next business day following the expiration date. Once removed, the course cannot be reactivated.
    Additional costs may also occur if a student transfers their OSR to VHS and VHS becomes the student's home school, or if VHS is required to create a new OSR. Such costs include the following:
    • Equivalent Credit Assessments: VHS can assess the transcripts of students from outside Ontario to determine whether equivalent credits can be granted that will apply toward the OSSD requirements. The fee for an equivalent credit assessment is $180. The assessment will determine how many courses the student needs to complete in order to earn the OSSD. The student will need to register for a course within six months from the date of the assessment in order for the assessment to remain valid. VHS will enter the equivalent credits on the student's transcript once the student has earned one credit at VHS.
    • OUAC: An OUAC account can be opened for any student whose OSR is hosted by VHS. VHS will maintain the OUAC account throughout that school year. The fee for managing the account and applications to three post-secondary institutions is $180. VHS can also communicate directly with post-secondary institutions, rather than OUAC, if needed. A fee of $30 per instance will apply. Additional fees will also apply if a student requires information to be couriered through FedEx to any institution. VHS can also communicate with OUAC and post-secondary institutions for students whose OSR is not held at VHS. There is no fee for communicating with OUAC.

  • Will VHS communicate with my school throughout my course?

    VHS will inform the student's home school when they register for a course, when the midpoint has been reached, and when the course has been completed. A midterm report card and final report card will both be sent to the home school. The OSSD credit earned at VHS will then be added to the student's list of credits, which is maintained by the home school on an Ontario Student Transcript (OST).

  • Are the credits recognized by universities and colleges?

    At VHS, students earn OSSD credits, which are the same credits that a student would earn in a bricks-and-mortar school in Ontario. As a result, these credits will not be viewed any differently by post-secondary institutions. In fact, asynchronous online courses demand that students be motivated, goal-orientated, and independent—all of which are essential traits for student success in post-secondary settings. VHS has many university students taking courses each year to meet prerequisite requirements for programs they may be switching to. Many universities are advising students to choose VHS to meet necessary prerequisites, as students can take a high school course while they are actually attending university. Universities also offer many online courses and whole programs—they know the value of quality online courses. We recommend contacting any potential post-secondary institutions directly to inquire about their admissions policies.

Registration

  • When can I enrol in a course at VHS?

    VHS has ongoing enrolment, which means students may register on any day of the year. Typically, students will be able to begin courses within 24 hours of registration. Registrations that occur on holidays will be enrolled on the next day.

  • How do I register?

    Registration is completed online using our registration page.

  • What happens after I register?

    Once the registration process is complete, students will receive an initial email confirming their registration and payment. A second email will be sent with the student's username and a password link. Typically, this email is received within 24 hours.

  • Can I get a receipt for payments?

    Yes. Please send your request for a payment receipt, including the student's name, date of registration, and course, to accounting@virtualhighschool.com.

Student Support

  • What support will I have throughout the course?

    Each student has a certified teacher throughout their course as well as access to guidance coordinators, the Main Office team, and free online tutoring.

  • Who will be my teacher?

    At VHS, students will be assigned a certified, highly skilled teacher. Students will have the same teacher throughout the entire course* and will be able to communicate with the teacher via the VHS email system. Visit Our Educators and Teacher Spotlight sections of our website to learn more about VHS's teachers.

    *On extremely rare occasions, a teacher may become unavailable to teach a course, but that role will be immediately filled by another qualified teacher who will make the transition as seamless as possible.

  • What is my teacher's role throughout my course?

    Your teacher is there to answer questions, provide feedback, and grade assessments. Your VHS teacher should be the first person you contact with any questions or concerns about your course or course content.

  • How long does it take for assessments to be graded?

    Depending on the course offering the student registers for, the feedback time can vary. VHS fast track courses provides students with feedback and grades in 2 days or less of their work being submitted. Most departments' standard course offerings provide feedback and grading within 5 days.

  • Do I have to wait until an assignment is graded before I can move forward in the course?

    No. You are able to continue working through your lessons at your own pace; however, we recommend waiting for your teacher's feedback before submitting more assignments so that you can use the feedback to improve on future coursework.

  • How do I communicate with my teacher?

    You will communicate with your teacher primarily through email within the learning environment. However, other modes of communication such as telephone or video conferencing may be arranged upon request and at the teacher's discretion. VHS requests that teachers log in daily to respond to emails and address inquiries.

  • What happens after I earn a credit with VHS?

    Once VHS receives the final report issued by the teacher, our records department will process this information and send an electronic copy by email to the student and the student's home school. At the student's request, VHS can also communicate with a post-secondary institution or send the report to OUAC/OCAS.

  • How does the tutoring work?

    Tutoring is provided by our in-house student support team. Educators are available for all subject areas offered by Virtual High School, and the service is easily accessible from our secure learning environment. When a student needs assistance, they simply type a question in the chat box. Students can upload a file or image of the assignment into the chat box to help explain their question. Students are also able to schedule a more in-depth meeting. Student learning will be facilitated through focused questioning rather than merely providing the student with answers. Students will not be permitted to utilize the service during their final exams.

  • Do your teachers do live Zoom-style meetings or lessons?

    No. Our courses are text- and image-based with interactive components like pre-recorded supplementary videos to illustrate a concept. Teachers are available via our secure school email system and online gradebook for questions, clarification, grading and feedback.

  • Can courses be modified or personalized for my child's unique learning style, or accommodations as per their IEP?

    In general with IEPs, we implement applicable Assessment Accommodations. VHS course content cannot be altered by the teacher because that's where the instruction occurs. VHS teachers are available to answer any questions, and for marking and feedback. For students with high-level needs in Instructional and Environmental Accommodations, we strongly suggest that a support person (parent, tutor, or other individual) fill those gaps on the student's end.

    VHS courses offer multiple built-in supports that go beyond those traditionally available in a classroom setting. Our courses are self-paced and make use of technology naturally. Students have the flexibility to design their own environmental accommodations such as preparing a private space to learn and take tests. Our self-paced model allows students to spend as much time as they need to master a concept before moving ahead to the next unit.

  • Will the teacher send out reminders for work that is due?

    There are no set due dates for assignments or tests. VHS does not require set attendance, and we do not monitor student login activity, though teachers may reach out to students when they haven't heard from them in a while. Students have access to our Pacing Tool if they wish to plan out a specific timeline for completion and stay on track. Our courses are designed for independent learners to progress though the content at their own pace. This allows students to create their own schedule based on their circumstances and learning needs. Our teachers are available by email whenever students contact them with questions related to their coursework.

  • Can parents/guardians communicate with the teacher?

    Teachers and students communicate in a closed learning environment for security purposes. However, our administrative staff, academic department heads, vice-principal, and principal can be reached via email should you have any specific concerns you wish to discuss.

Guidance

  • I have an Individual Education Plan (IEP). How can VHS accommodate my exceptionality?

    Assessments and activities within the online courses must take into account the strengths, needs, learning expectations, and accommodations identified in the student's IEP. Accommodations may include reducing the workload, simplifying tasks and material, and providing more time for learning and completing activities. The assistance of other persons and the use of specialized equipment may also be required to accommodate the student's needs. Additionally, VHS's self-paced model naturally offers students accommodations. One of the main benefits is that students are able to work at their own pace and spend as much or as little time on the lessons as needed to understand the concepts. Other benefits include the following:

    • Students can use assistive technologies that they have access to and with which they are familiar.
    • Some of our courses offer ReadSpeaker—a tool that reads the text on the page out loud and highlights the words that are being spoken.
    • Our courses include text, video, interactive activities, and many practice opportunities.
    • Where possible, the assessments allow students flexibility in the medium or to format the use of unique tools with which to present their ideas—choose to write a paper, give an oral presentation, or create a visual, for example.

  • I am an English Language Learner (ELL). How can VHS accommodate this?

    Our teachers are coached on ways to best support ELLs in order to provide all students with the support they need to be successful. Additionally, helpful tips and strategies are provided within courses for ELLs if they are having any difficulty with learning in English.

  • I do not live in Ontario, Canada. Can I still take courses with VHS?

    Yes, VHS welcomes students living anywhere in the world. All that you will need to complete your course is a computer and an internet connection.

  • How will OUAC/OCAS or the university know that I am taking a course with VHS?

    When a student enrols or reaches midterm or final point in a course, VHS can send that information to OUAC, OCAS, and/or to any post-secondary institution upon the student's request. Once VHS has the student's request on file, any future updates on the student's progress (i.e. midterm or final report cards) will be forwarded accordingly. However, it is always beneficial to double-check that the grade has been updated when you reach the midterm or final point in the course.

    Please note: VHS will not send course updates to OUAC or OCAS unless you have provided your reference number to us. Once we know your reference number, we will send updated grades there as they are processed.

  • What is a prerequisite course? Do I have to complete this course before I register?

    A prerequisite course is one that a student must complete prior to taking the next level of the subject. Prerequisite requirements are outlined by the Ministry of Education in order to ensure that students are properly prepared to take a course at the next level. For example, a student must complete SCH3U prior to being able to take SCH4U in order to ensure that the student has the foundation to be successful in the higher level course. Students can find out more information on required prerequisites by viewing the Course Outline for the courses they are hoping to take. A student may enrol in a course without providing prerequisite evidence, but they will not have access to all of the course content until this evidence is demonstrated to VHS. Depending on the experience of the student, it is also possible that a prerequisite requirement can be waived, but this is done at the discretion of the VHS Principal. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain and send VHS a copy of their Ontario Student Transcript (OST), report card, or credit counseling summary. Such documents prove to VHS that the student has achieved the prerequisite for the course. If a student or parent requests that a prerequisite be waived, the principal will determine whether or not the prerequisite should be waived based upon the student's educational level, experience, or maturity. If a student has taken a similar course in a different province or country, it is possible that the prerequisite could be waived as determined by course equivalency standards. Download the Prerequisite Waiver Form.

Final Exam

  • How does the final exam work?

    All exams at VHS are closed book and completed online under the supervision of our third-party online proctoring solution, Integrity Advocate.

    If the online proctoring solution is not a good fit for the student, they may choose to write the exam under the supervision of an appropriate in-person proctor.

    Student safety and support is a priority at Virtual High School. If finding a suitable proctor presents a challenge due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact Exams@VirtualHighSchool.com to discuss alternative proctoring solutions.

  • What is the procedure for writing the final exam?

    1. Integrity Advocate:

      Virtual High School has partnered with Integrity Advocate, a third-party online proctoring solution. Integrity Advocate is fully integrated into Brightspace and there is no additional cost to the student.

      After the student has submitted all graded assessments, the final exam will be unlocked. Students do not have to provide advanced notice to the VHS team or receive approval prior to writing their exam with Integrity Advocate. When the student is ready to write their exam, they will navigate to the exam through the Quizzes or Assessments section of their course and select the Final Exam. This will prompt the student to complete the automated identity verification process which includes taking a photo of themselves as well as showing a piece of government-issued photo ID. It is important to note that students will have the ability to mask parts of the ID that are not necessary for the verification process (e.g. driver's licence number). The student's name and photo must be visible.

      Students are required to have:
      • A webcam
      • A microphone
      • A laptop or desktop computer
      • Government-issued photo ID

      Following the identity verification process, the student will begin the exam. The exam will be recorded by Integrity Advocate and reviewed by the Integrity Advocate team following the exam to verify that all rules and regulations were followed. If any violations were noted, the Virtual High School administrative team will be notified and will review the violations, following up with the student as needed. It may take up to 48 hours for the student's exam recording to be reviewed and released.

    2. If the student chooses to find a proctor to supervise the exam:

      If a student chooses to find their own proctor rather than writing the exam under the supervision of Integrity Advocate, a Proctor Approval Application must be submitted to the office two weeks in advance of the intended exam date. The application is then reviewed by the exams administrator and the student is notified when the proctor has been approved and/or if VHS requires additional information on the proctor. Once approved, the proctor is sent a Proctor Memorandum indicating the exam procedures and exam password via email. The proctor and student are responsible for understanding the exam procedures and protocol (i.e. no content can be accessed during the final exam). Once the exam is completed, the proctor must sign and return the Proctor Memorandum indicating all procedures were properly followed. In order to ensure the integrity and security of the final exam, the proctor must meet the following criteria in order to be considered for approval:

      • Must have a post-secondary degree, diploma, or certificate
      • Must be able to read and speak in the English language
      • Must provide a non-generic business email address for correspondence purposes (i.e. not Gmail or Hotmail, etc.)
      • Must not be a family member
      • Must not be a student at any level of study
      • Must not be a tutor

      All final exam procedures can be found in the Introduction unit of the Student Handbook under Final Exam Procedures. The student will access the exam online and a password will be entered by the proctor in order for the student to access the exam. The exam will be timed, so it is important for the student to be aware of any time constraints for the exam. The student will then work through the exam and save his or her responses as questions are completed. Once the final exam is submitted, the proctor will sign and return the Proctor Memorandum to our office.

      Please note: The final report card for the course will not be released until VHS receives the signed Proctor Memorandum from the proctor.

  • If I choose to find my own proctor, who can I ask to proctor my exam?

    We recommend that all students complete their exam under the supervision of our third-party online proctoring solution, Integrity Advocate. If this is not the best option for the student, they may choose to find their own proctor for the exam. If the student is currently registered in a public or private school, then the student should consider arranging to write the exam with a person associated with his or her home school (teacher, librarian, counselor), where feasible. If the student is not currently registered with another school, or this is not an option, we recommend that the student contact a local public library, college/university, or testing centre to see if they offer proctoring services. The student will be required to adhere to the policies and procedures of these locations in addition to VHS final exam policies and procedures. If this option is not available, then the student can ask anyone who he or she knows that meets all requirements set out above. A few examples of individuals who would most likely be approved as a proctors are: engineers, registered nurses, lawyers, Chartered Accountants, etc.

  • When can I write the final exam?

    The student selects the date, time, and location of the final exam. Students may write the exam after they have submitted all graded assessments. If the student is writing the exam with Integrity Advocate, they may begin their exam whenever they are ready. They do not need to provide the VHS team with advance notice.

    If the student is choosing to find a proctor, the student and proctor must agree on the date and time selected. When the student is nearing the end of the course, they can submit a Proctor Approval Application at any time. Students must allow two weeks for the application to be processed. Assignments and tests do not have to be completed at the time of application but must be submitted before writing the exam. Any assignments not received by the teacher prior to the exam may be graded a zero. If the student does not submit the application two weeks in advance of the exam date, the application will not be processed. The student will be asked to reschedule with an appropriate time frame.