How Online Summer School Works
Online summer school is a convenient way for students to earn high school credits during the summer break. How Online Summer School Works is simple: instead of attending a physical classroom, learners complete courses through an accredited online platform. This means that Ontario teens can earn OSSD summer credits online on their own schedule. In this guide, we’ll explain how online summer school works in Ontario, what to expect, and how it benefits students. Whether you want to catch up, get ahead, or just free up time for other activities, online summer courses offer a flexible solution – all while you still enjoy your summer vacation, travel plans, or weekends at the cottage.
What Is Online Summer School?
Online summer school is an education program that allows high school students to take online courses over the summer months. Instead of going to a classroom daily, you use a computer or tablet to access lessons, complete assignments, and interact with teachers remotely. For Ontario students, these online courses count toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), just like traditional in-school credits, as long as they’re taken through an accredited institution. Canadian Virtual School (CVS), a leading private online high school in Ontario, offers a full range of Grade 9–12 courses in summer and year-round, so students can earn credits from anywhere in the world.
How online summer school works in practice can vary slightly by provider, but generally, it is an asynchronous learning model. Asynchronous means there are no set class times – you don’t have to log in at a specific hour for live lessons each day. Instead, you are given access to the course materials and can work on them whenever it suits your schedule. A certified teacher is assigned to the course, who will grade your work and provide feedback or answer questions, but instruction is delivered through online content (readings, videos, interactive modules, etc.) that you progress through independently. This model gives students the freedom to balance schoolwork with summer activities. You can study in the morning and go to your summer job in the afternoon, or work on a couple of lessons while relaxing at the cottage or traveling internationally with family.
How Online Summer School Works (Step-by-Step)
To show you how online summer school works, here is a step-by-step breakdown of the typical process from start to finish:
- Choose Your Course: First, decide which course you want to take online during the summer. Students often pick a course that will lighten next year’s workload, help them catch up, or enrich their learning. At CVS, you can select from many courses across Grades 9–12. For example, if you need Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4U) for university and want to free up your schedule, you could take the Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4U) course online over the summer. Ensure you have any required prerequisites for the course and that they fit your academic plan.
- Register Online: Once you’ve chosen a course, enrollment is just a few clicks away. You typically fill out an online registration form with your details, select your start date, and pay the tuition (if applicable, since public school board summer programs might be free for their students, while private online schools charge a fee). Registration is open year-round at Canadian Virtual School. You can sign up at any time and start when you’re ready. The CVS registration page makes it easy to enroll and choose your desired start date for your summer course.
- Get Access to the Course Platform: After registration, you’ll receive login credentials to the online learning platform (sometimes immediately or on a specified start date). This platform is where you’ll find all your course content and submit work. The course will be divided into units or modules, each containing lessons, readings, videos, and interactive activities. For instance, CVS courses include engaging content like interactive labs, simulations, and multimedia lessons to keep students interested. You’ll also see the assessments for the course – assignments, quizzes, a final exam or project, etc.- along with instructions and due date guidelines (if any).
- Learn at Your Own Pace: One of the biggest differences with online summer school is that flexible online summer school scheduling allows you to work at your own pace. This means you decide how much to do each day. There aren’t daily classes, so you can create a study schedule that works around your summer plans. If you want to finish quickly, you can work on the course intensively – for example, some students at CVS fast-track a course in as little as 4–6 weeks by dedicating a few hours each day. In fact, CVS offers fast-track options that let motivated students complete a credit in as little as three weeks if needed. On the other hand, if you prefer to spread the work out, you generally can take longer (many online schools allow several months up to a year to finish a course). This self-paced approach means you can accelerate or slow down as required. For example, you might study more during a rainy week and then pause or do lighter work while on a family vacation. The key is that you have control over how and when you study, as long as you ultimately complete the course requirements.
- Complete Assignments and Exams: As you progress, you will complete the assignments and tests that are part of the course. Without the structure of a daily class, it’s important to set personal deadlines to stay on track (though some courses may suggest a schedule). If the course has a final exam or culminating project, you’ll prepare for that once you’ve finished all the lessons. Online courses often require a proctored final exam or a major project to ensure academic integrity and that you’ve met curriculum expectations. The exam might be done online with a supervisor or via an approved testing center – each school has its own process. CVS courses follow Ontario curriculum standards and include a final assessment (exam or project), just like you’d have in regular school. Don’t worry; your online teacher will give you all the information you need to prepare for and schedule your exam.
- Get Your Grade and Credit: After you’ve submitted all your work and any exams, your teacher will grade everything and assign a final percentage grade for the course. You will receive a report card or transcript from the online school showing your credit earned. At this point, if you attend an in-person high school as well, the online school can communicate your achievement to your day school. For example, Canadian Virtual School will send an official transcript to your Ontario home school so that the credit is added to your OSSD record. The credits you earn are identical to credits from a physical school because CVS (and similar accredited online schools) are inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education and authorized to grant OSSD credits. Universities and colleges recognize these credits the same way they would any other Ontario high school credit. In short, you’ve now completed an entire high school course over the summer from the comfort of wherever you were!
That’s essentially how online summer school works from beginning to end. Next, we’ll look at the benefits of taking your summer courses online and why so many students are choosing this path in Ontario.
Benefits of Online Summer School in Ontario
Online summer courses offer several advantages over traditional in-person summer school. Here are some key benefits for Ontario high school students who choose to earn credits online in the summer:
- Freedom to Enjoy Summer Activities: With an online course, you aren’t stuck in a classroom for 6 hours a day in July. You can study whenever it suits you. This means you’re free to travel or go to the cottage, attend summer camps, work a summer job, or simply relax at the beach – all while still completing a course. As long as you have a device and internet access (even occasional access is fine), you can bring your learning on the go. For example, you might spend your mornings doing an online lesson and your afternoons sightseeing on an international trip. Flexible scheduling ensures you earn high school credits in the summer without missing out on making summer memories.
- Flexible, Self-Paced Learning: Traditional summer school usually runs on a tight schedule (often an entire course is taught in 4 weeks, with daily classes). This can be stressful or too fast for some learners. In contrast, a flexible online summer school program lets you set a pace that matches your learning style. If you grasp material quickly, you can move through it faster; if you need more time on a challenging concept, you can take that time without falling behind a class. You can also adjust your study schedule week by week. This self-paced approach often leads to better understanding and retention of material. In fact, research suggests that high-quality summer learning programs can positively impact student achievement【13†L25-L33】, especially when students are able to engage with the content on their own terms.
- Catch Up or Improve Your Grades: Summer is a great time to retake a course or do credit recovery if you didn’t earn the credit during the school year. Online summer school provides an accessible way to upgrade a mark or complete a missed credit. Since they can focus on just one course, many students find they can improve substantially. For instance, if you struggled in Grade 10 math and want a better foundation, taking it again online in the summer can boost your understanding and your grade, preparing you for the next level. The online format still provides a teacher to help you one-on-one as needed, but without the peer pressure or pace of a full class. Everyone deserves a second chance to succeed, and online courses make that possible in a low-stress environment.
- Get Ahead and Lighten Next Year’s Load: Online summer courses aren’t just for catching up; they’re also popular with students aiming to get ahead. You can earn high school credits in the summer to free up your schedule for the coming school year. For example, you might take a Grade 12 prerequisite course now so that you can fit an extra elective or spare period into your Grade 12 timetable. A student heading into Grade 11 might do an extra course to have spare time in Grade 12 for university application time. Many ambitious students even take additional courses to graduate a semester early or take a lighter course load during Grade 12, when they’ll be busy with college applications. By knocking out a credit or two in the summer, you’ll have fewer courses at once during the year, which means less stress and more time for each subject. (Balancing eight courses in a regular year can be overwhelming for teens【16†L118-L125】, so spreading them out can improve performance and well-being.)
- Focus on Difficult Courses: If there’s a subject you find especially challenging (for example, Chemistry, Advanced Functions, or English), doing it online in the summer allows you to focus all your academic energy on that one course. The structure of online learning – with no strict daily deadlines and the ability to review lessons at your own pace – means you can spend extra time to truly grasp tough material【16†L91-L100】. You can rewatch a video lecture, redo an interactive lab, or ask your online teacher for clarification without worrying about falling behind. By the end of summer, you may find you’ve mastered a course that would have been much harder alongside a full semester of other classes. This can boost your confidence and your transcript at the same time.
- No Commute – Learn Anywhere: Another benefit is the sheer convenience of not having to commute to school in the heat of summer. No more early morning drives or bus rides to a school building; instead, you can attend “class” from your bedroom, kitchen, or backyard patio. This also opens opportunities for students who live far from summer school locations or who have transportation challenges. Online school brings the classroom to you. You only need a computer (or tablet) and an internet connection. The flexibility of location is a huge plus – you can be in Toronto, elsewhere in Ontario, or across the globe and still complete your Ontario online high school summer course.
- Maintain Academic Momentum (Prevent “Summer Slide”): Studies have shown that students can lose some of their learning momentum during long breaks. In fact, some research indicates students may regress by about a month’s worth of learning over the summer in certain subjects if they don’t stay engaged【14†L361-L369】. Taking an online course helps keep your brain active and in “learning mode,” so you retain more knowledge. It ensures that you start the next school year caught up and confident. You’ll also develop independent study skills and digital literacy, which are increasingly important. (The Ontario Ministry of Education now even requires high school students to complete at least two online learning credits as part of their diploma【38†L388-L395】, underlining how valuable e-learning experience is for today’s learners.)
- Personalized Support: Some might worry that without an in-person teacher, they’ll be on their own. But online courses still offer plenty of support. In summer online school, you typically have access to your teacher via email, messaging, or virtual meetings. At CVS, certified teachers respond to questions and provide feedback on assignments in a timely manner. The one-on-one nature of feedback can actually be better tailored to you. If you’re struggling with an essay, you’ll get individualized comments and can even schedule a call with the teacher. Many online students find their teachers very approachable and helpful, even if they never meet face to face. Smaller class sizes online (often the teacher is supporting you individually rather than managing a large class) can mean more personalized attention.
In summary, Ontario online high school summer programs offer flexibility, convenience, and a host of academic benefits. You can earn OSSD credits online on your own terms. Next, let’s talk about how those credits fit into your diploma and what to expect academically.
Earning OSSD Credits Online in Summer
Ontario’s education system allows students to earn credits toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma through accredited online schools. Canadian Virtual School is one such accredited institution – it’s inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education and is authorized to grant OSSD credits. This means any credit you earn with CVS via online summer school is legitimate and will count toward your diploma, just as if you earned it at a public brick-and-mortar school.
If you’re enrolled in an Ontario high school already, taking an online summer course effectively makes you a part-time student of the online school for that credit. When you finish the course, CVS will issue an official report card and, if needed, will send your final grade to your regular school to be added to your transcript. Your Guidance counselor can then include that credit in your record. There’s no disadvantage to doing a credit online – universities and colleges view it the same as any other OSSD credit because the curriculum and expectations are the same. In fact, having extra credit or a higher grade from the summer can strengthen your academic profile.
For students who are completing their entire high school online (for example, full-time CVS students or international students earning an Ontario diploma remotely), online summer school is just a continuation of their regular studies. But for students in a physical school, it’s more like a supplement – one that can give you a lot of flexibility. You don’t need any special permission from your day school to enroll in a private online course, though it’s wise to inform your Guidance counselor about your plan. They can advise on prerequisites and ensure the credit will fit your needs. Typically, as long as the course code is the same as what the Ministry uses (e.g., SCH4U for Grade 12 Chemistry), the credit is standard.
It’s also worth noting that if you’re below 18, your parent/guardian will usually need to approve your registration for an online course (since it often involves a tuition payment and getting records from your day school). This is normal and part of ensuring everyone is on the same page. Parents in Ontario are increasingly supportive of online credits, especially because the Ministry now expects students to have an e-learning experience. By completing OSSD summer credits online, you’ll not only move closer to graduation but also fulfill the online learning graduation requirement introduced for recent cohorts (unless you choose to opt out of that requirement).
Academically, the credit you earn online in the summer covers the same hours and content as a semestered course. Ontario courses are typically 110 hours of instruction. In the online format, those hours are not timed lectures but a combination of readings, videos, interactive content, and assignment work that cumulatively would equal about 110 hours of engagement. If you compress it into 4-8 weeks, expect to spend a few hours a day on it. If you spread it over a longer period, you might do just a couple of hours each week. The flexibility is yours. Just remember that if you need the credit for a specific deadline (like to satisfy a prerequisite before September or to submit a grade for a university conditional offer), you should plan your pacing accordingly to finish on time. CVS allows students to enroll any day, so “summer” is what you make of it – you could start in June and finish by July or start in July and finish by early fall, depending on your situation.
Tips for Succeeding in an Online Summer Course
While online summer school makes it convenient and flexible, success still requires good habits. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your online summer course:
- Create a Study Schedule: Without a teacher telling you what to do each day, it’s important to plan your weeks. Set aside specific hours for coursework and stick to a routine as much as possible. This could be an hour or two every morning before you head out to enjoy the day. A consistent schedule prevents procrastination and last-minute stress.
- Set Goals and Milestones: Break the course into parts and set target dates. For example, aim to finish Unit 1 by the end of week one, Unit 2 by mid-July, etc. Having mini-deadlines will keep you on track to finish on time. Many online courses come with suggested pacing guides – use them as a reference.
- Minimize Distractions: When you sit down to study, treat it like a real class. Find a quiet spot, turn off social media, and focus on the lesson or assignment. Because you might be studying from a comfortable place like home, it’s easy to get distracted. Discipline during study time will help you complete tasks faster and enjoy your free time more.
- Stay in Touch with Your Teacher: Don’t hesitate to ask questions. If something is unclear, reach out to your instructor via email or the messaging system. They are there to help, even if you never see them in person. Regularly check for their feedback on your submitted work – it will help you improve on future assignments and prep for the final exam.
- Use the Resources Provided: Online courses often provide supplementary resources, such as video tutorials, practice quizzes, or discussion forums. Make use of these. For example, CVS courses include interactive labs and module summaries – reviewing these can reinforce your understanding. If your course offers virtual office hours or group discussion boards, try to participate; it can enrich your learning experience.
- Keep Motivation High: Studying in the summer can sometimes feel hard when the sun is shining outside. Remind yourself why you’re taking the course – whether it’s to get into that university program you want or to free up time in your school year. Celebrate small progress (finished an assignment? Great – reward yourself with a break or a treat). Keeping the end goal in mind will help you push through any dull moments.
By following these tips, you’ll find that online summer school is very manageable. Thousands of Ontario students succeed in online courses every year, and you can too. Next, let’s address some frequently asked questions about online summer school.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does online summer school work in Ontario?
In Ontario, online summer school works by allowing high school students to take accredited courses through an online platform during the summer break. Students sign up with an accredited online school (like Canadian Virtual School), get access to the course materials online, and study at their own pace. There are no daily classes; instead, students complete readings, watch lessons, and submit assignments on a flexible schedule. A qualified teacher oversees the course, grading work and providing support via email or messages. Once the student completes all requirements (including any final exam or project), they receive a grade, and the credit is counted toward their OSSD. It’s essentially the same curriculum as an in-person class, delivered online, with the benefit that you can learn from anywhere and on your own timeline.
Are online summer school credits accepted by my regular high school and universities?
Yes. As long as the online school is accredited and inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education (which Canadian Virtual School is), the credits you earn online are official OSSD credits. Your regular high school will accept the credit and add it to your transcript once they receive the official record from the online school. Universities and colleges also recognize these credits as valid. In fact, they typically cannot tell on a transcript whether a course was taken online or in-person – it just shows the course code and grade. What matters is that the course was completed at an inspected school. So you can confidently use online summer credits to satisfy prerequisites or diploma requirements.
How long does an online summer course take to complete?
The length of an online summer course is flexible and largely up to the student’s pace. Many students complete a standard 110-hour high school course in about 4 to 8 weeks during the summer if they work consistently. For example, a motivated student might finish in 4 weeks by dedicating several hours each weekday to the course. Others might spread it over 2 months with a lighter schedule. At Canadian Virtual School, students have the option to accelerate and finish a course in as little as 3 weeks (through an intensive fast-track mode), but they also can take up to 12 months to complete the course if needed. This means you could start a “summer” course and, if life gets busy, finish it during the school year. However, if your goal is to have the credit ready for September or for a university application, you’d plan to complete it by the end of summer (July or August). The key is that you have control over how quickly you move through the material.
Can I take more than one online summer course at the same time?
Yes, you can take more than one course online in the summer, but be cautious about workload. Because each course is the equivalent of a full semester course, doing two at once is like a full-time summer commitment. Some students successfully manage two (or even three) courses online during the summer, especially if they are not working a job and dedicate many hours a day to studies. Canadian Virtual School doesn’t typically limit how many courses you can enroll in simultaneously, but it’s wise to consider your time and energy. If you plan to take two courses, you might structure your day to spend a few hours on Course A in the morning and a few hours on Course B in the afternoon. Make sure you still allow yourself downtime to avoid burnout. It’s often recommended to start with one course, see how it goes for a couple of weeks, and then decide if adding another is feasible. Remember, you do have the option to overlap courses since start dates are flexible – for example, start one in June and a second in July – rather than both at exactly the same time.
Can I log in at specific times, or can I study anytime?
In almost all cases, you can study anytime through online summer school. Courses are designed to be asynchronous, meaning there are no live mandatory class sessions (unless a specific course has a special requirement, which is uncommon in high school courses). You will have access to the course 24/7, so you can log in early in the morning, midday, or even at midnight – whatever suits you. This is ideal for students who may be in different time zones over the summer or who have varying daily schedules. While the teacher might offer occasional optional live webinars or Q&A sessions, these are usually recorded for those who can’t attend. The freedom to study anytime is a big benefit of online summer school. Just ensure you manage your time well since you won’t have a teacher telling you in real time to do your work.
What support will I have during an online summer course if I get stuck?
Even though you’re learning remotely, you’re not alone. Online courses provide multiple support systems. Your primary support is your course teacher, who is a certified Ontario teacher. You can reach out to them with questions about the content or assignments – typically via the course messaging system or email – and they will respond with Guidance. Teachers also give detailed feedback on your submitted work to help you improve. Besides the teacher, many online platforms have forums or discussion boards where you can post questions; sometimes, other students in the course can chime in (peer support). Canadian Virtual School also has student services you can contact if you have technical issues or need administrative help. Some online schools even offer virtual tutoring or live help sessions for difficult topics. The key is: don’t hesitate to ask for help just because you aren’t in a physical classroom. Instructors are used to supporting students online and will make sure you understand the material.
What do I need to start an online summer school course (technology and materials)?
Taking an online course in the summer doesn’t require much beyond the basics. You will need a reliable device – ideally a computer or laptop. (A tablet can work for most tasks, but a desktop/laptop is recommended for typing assignments and taking tests.) You’ll also need an internet connection to access your lessons and submit work. A stable Wi-Fi or wired connection is important, especially if your course includes online tests or video content. Other than that, you might need standard software like a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and a program to write essays or assignments (such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word). Canadian Virtual School’s platform is entirely online, so you typically won’t need to install special software – just use the web. In some cases, for a final exam, you may need a webcam if remote proctoring is required, but many courses use online project-based finals instead. No textbooks are usually needed for online summer courses; readings are provided digitally. Of course, you should also come equipped with personal motivation and time-management skills – those are “tools” for success in any online learning environment!
What if I don’t finish my online course by the end of summer?
One of the great things about online summer school is the flexibility with timing. If you don’t finish your course by the end of the summer, it’s usually not a problem – at least not with schools like Canadian Virtual School. When you enroll with CVS, you generally have up to 12 months to complete a course. So, even though many students aim to finish by late August, you can continue working into the fall if you need more time. There’s no penalty for taking longer, aside from delaying when you get the credit. This is different from traditional summer school, which ends on a fixed date. That said, if you require the credit for a specific reason (for example, to meet a prerequisite for a fall course or to include it in a university application in the upcoming cycle), you’ll want to plan to finish by the necessary deadline. The good news is, if something unexpected happens over the summer – maybe you get busy with work or family activities – you won’t “fail” the course. You can just keep going in September. Always check the policies of your particular online school, but CVS is very flexible with end dates. Just maintain communication with your teacher if you’re extending your time, so they know you’re still active. Remember, the goal is your success, not to rush you.
Is online summer school easier or harder than in-person school?
The content and academic standards are the same, so an online course isn’t inherently easier or harder in terms of what you have to learn. The level of difficulty can depend on your personal learning style. Some students find online summer school easier because they can focus on one subject at a time and schedule their learning when they’re most alert. The flexible pace means you can take extra time on challenging topics, which can make difficult courses feel more manageable. There’s also no daily commute or rigid timetable, which reduces stress for many. However, other students might find it harder if they struggle with self-discipline or time management since no one is physically looking over their shoulder. You have to be proactive and organized to meet your goals. In short, online summer school is as challenging as you make it: with good habits, many find it very doable or even prefer it to in-class learning. The key is that it’s flexible – you control the pace, which can make even tough courses feel less overwhelming.
Is online summer school free in Ontario, or how much does it cost?
The cost of online summer school in Ontario depends on the provider. If you take an online summer course through a public school board program (for example, your school board’s e-summer school), it is usually free for students who attend day school on that board because the government funds it. However, those programs may have limited course options and specific enrollment periods. Taking a course through a private online high school like Canadian Virtual School does involve a tuition fee. Each private school sets its own pricing; at CVS, there is a fee per course (typically a few hundred dollars for a full-credit course). This fee covers the course content, the teacher’s support and grading, and access to the online platform. There are no additional textbook costs in most cases since materials are provided online. While it isn’t free, many families find the investment worthwhile for the flexibility, quality of instruction, and convenience provided. No travel or uniform costs, and you can continue summer activities while studying – that trade-off is valuable. It’s best to check the specific tuition on the school’s website or contact their admissions office for the most up-to-date fee, as prices change occasionally. Canadian Virtual School is transparent about its course fees, and there are no hidden charges. If cost is a concern, remember that you’re also saving time (and possibly money on transportation) by learning from home. Plus, earning a credit in the summer might even free up time to work a part-time job during the school year, offsetting the expense in the long run.
With all this information, you can see that online summer school is a flexible and effective way to advance your education without giving up your summer freedom. It’s no wonder so many Ontario students are choosing this path to reach their academic goals.
Ready to get started? If you’re interested in taking an online summer course, Canadian Virtual School is here to help you succeed. Explore our course offerings, and feel free to reach out for Guidance on choosing the right course for your needs. When you’re ready, you can enroll through our simple online registration and begin your learning journey right away. Don’t let summer slip by without moving closer to your graduation goals – take charge of your education this summer and experience the freedom of learning on your terms.
Embark on your online summer school experience with CVS and enjoy the best of both worlds: productive study and a fun, relaxing summer!
