Prince Edward Presenting Joshua Zyss
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
October 2007

"Before I signed up for Virtual High School I was informed by a Vice Principal of a board high school that online courses did not count, and I should enrol in night school or online through the school board. These board courses did not suit my timetable because you have to start at the beginning of the school year, and finish on their timetable.

I took my chances, and have finished my VHS ENG4U course and have been accepted to my first choice university and first choice course. In September I'll begin my journey in the BMSc. programme.

VHS is not easy, and it's not a "give away marks" school. You have to work, and there is plenty of work to do! Treat this as a real life every day school credit and you'll be fine. Block off sufficient time each week until you are finished the course. The difference between VHS and day school is that the teacher will always be here for you at VHS. You do not get lost in the shuffle. In school more times than not, kids don't get the extra help they need to succeed. I have found my VHS English teacher (Nicole Dixon) incredibly helpful – at all times. I was never put in a position where I did not understand something. Whatever help and guidance I needed, it was given. I'd recommend VHS to any self motivated student.

Remember to set goals, work towards them and be a success!

Joshua

Quinn Decent

"The idea of doing school online, I'll admit, sounded a bit strange at first. My sister however, who had already been a student for VHS for two years, showed me the ropes and how the website worked, so I quickly grew accustomed to it.

VHS was appealing to me because of the idea you could do school whenever, wherever you wanted to. I am an avid guitar learner and like to travel, so VHS really worked to my advantage here. It's very nice not having a rigid schedule.

I'm also pleased to say I learned quite a bit from VHS. I was able to take time to study subjects I found more difficult (such as chemistry), while I could skim through the sections I already knew. The teachers, particularly my English teacher (Mr. Smallwood), gave me good, encouraging advice and feedback on my work. Upon completing my English essay I was even given the opportunity to send it to the author of the novel himself."

Quinn

Adele Borer

"Taking courses through virtual high school has given me the opportunity to study at my own pace, and more importantly on my own schedule. I have found the course content very well written, and the website very easy to use! The teachers have also been great with response time and helpful feedback!"

Adele

Brent Emanuel

"I have been home schooled all my life, and have attended several different online schools. When I enrolled in VHS, I was immediately impressed with the quality of the courses and the teachers. Online learning allowed me to stretch my creative talents and passion for community service in ways I would not have dreamed possible. The flexible time schedule and professional committed teachers enabled me to work full time in my senior year, and to graduate early and pursue an exciting internship with an international company. Online learning enabled me to have a network of other learners---and mentors--who have challenged me not only to succeed but to excel.

I am entering full time studies at The University of Wilfred Laurier with an entrance scholarship. I am also starting my own business which will benefit disadvantaged youngsters in the Caribbean. VHS made my life-time learning a reality. I want to say a special "thank you!" to Ms. Uma Gnanaharan my geometry teacher who went far above and beyond the call of duty to make sure I learned --and mastered---an extremely difficult subject. She taught me that any thing is possible with hard work and dedication---and now I know that University is only the next step in my lifelong quest for education. Thanks again for everything!"

Ellen Hibbs

"The reason I am taking a course with Virtual High School is so that I may complete my Ontario Secondary School Diploma by June 2007. As I am an adult, I must continue my education through alternative learning avenues, and the Virtual High School learning environment was a great way for me to achieve a credit towards my OSSD.

My career focus is to become a Dental Hygienist and as such I’ve applied to Colleges for September 2007. The deadline for OCAS application submission for 2007 was on February First. Completion of my Virtual High School credit took precedence due to the OCAS deadline to submit all final marks. Mr. Baker actually proctored my final English exam as I traveled to his office as this was the only way for me to ensure that my final grade would be submitted to OCAS before the deadline.

English 12 College Preparation allowed me to learn and produce quality work. The course provided a classroom environment which often includes valuable lectures and academic support. I was able to easily ascertain my goal, which was to maintain an average of 90 percent. I would definitely recommend the Virtual High School to anyone who wanted to seize valuable learning strategies and achieve success."

Matt Appelt

"Virtual High School was an awesome experience for me. It gave some flexibility and allowed me to be as creative as I wanted to be. Mr. Smallwood let me try new things and experiment with different ways of writing, in the course on Canadian Literature (ETC3M). He gave me immediate feedback on my assignments, which I found very helpful. While working on the course, my writing improved so much. Now going into my grade twelve year at Port Credit, our local high school, I feel that I have a huge advantage over everyone else in my English class!

This year I am playing Junior A hockey for the Bramalea Blues, and because of the time commitment required for that, I am taking another online course with VHS, this time in math. I have had such a positive experience with VHS that I would not even consider taking an online course anywhere else. I would like to say thank-you to Mr. Smallwood for making the online course such a positive experience for me, and for being the best English teacher I have ever had!"

Daniel Crawford & Premier Dalton McGuinty

"Big or small, every interaction can make a profound effect on our lives. Enrolling in a VHS has been a great experience, and my teacher, Ms. De Rosenroll had a lot to do with this experience. She was a phenomenal teacher. Although it may seem like a small thing, but praise and encouragement goes a long way. When people are praised, encouraged, and recognized for who they are as individuals, it gives them renewed energy and a positive outlook on life. Ms. De Rosenroll did this with every assignment. She encouraged me to be creative and allowed me to be creative, which made the course work fly by. She was fabulous in getting feedback and assignments back to me quickly. My favourite assignment was "Political People and Places" because it was not only an enriching experience, but I got to meet Ontario’s Premier, Dalton McGuinty. Also, I was invited back in the fall to see the "heart" of Ontario's Provincial Parliament up close. VHS has made a profound effect in my life."

Kate Lane-Smith

"I have been homeschooled since I was five, but began taking Internet courses in grade 11 because I felt that they would provide me with an opportunity to learn from many different teachers, and enable me to receive official credit for my grade 12 courses. The course which I have especially enjoyed was "Studies in Literature" taught by Mr. Smallwood. Mr. Smallwood went out of his way to provide me with a lot of feedback on my assignments and discuss literature with me. I feel that the knowledge and understanding I have gained broadened my understanding of literature and will serve me well in university where I plan to study English or History."