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The Ottawa Catholic School Board offers virtual learning options for students in elementary and secondary school.
Our virtual secondary program serves students in Grades 9 to 12, with its school office located at Notre Dame High School.
Virtual learning is intended for students who learn best in an online environment. Students learn alongside other virtual students from across the city and remain part of the Notre Dame Catholic high school community.
How to Join
Families interested in virtual learning should follow the instructions below for more information about registration, eligibility, and next steps.
1) Before registering from an outside school board, please contact the Administration at your geographically located home school to discuss if the Virtual Program is a fit for the student. If you are seeking to register for the first time at an OCSB School, please find your school here.
2) If you are a current OCSB Student and would like to transfer to the St. Josephine Virtual Program, please reach out to your current school to discuss if the Virtual Program is a good fit for the student’s profile. The Administration at your home school will have a conversation with the Virtual School Principal. If the student profile makes sense the home school Administration will help you with a cross-boundary request.
If you need more information about the St. Josephine Virtual Program, our school office for Grades 9-12 students is located at Notre Dame High School. Feel free to contact our team at 613-722-6565 or NotreDame.High@ocsb.ca for more details and guidance.
What Parents Need to Know
The Virtual Program has a limited number of synchronous virtual (real-time) courses. Students will be required to fill out their timetable with independent E-Learning courses. There is limited access to Resource Teacher supports and mental health supports. If the student requires significant accommodations or if they require course modifications, in-person school is recommended.
Program Expectations
“Attendance” is key. In the case of the Virtual Program, this means that students log on promptly, keep their cameras on at all times (a virtual background is permitted for privacy), do not miss class, and complete assignments in a timely manner. As in regular school, they should contribute to discussions and engage with the material. For the 2026-2027 school year, the Ontario government has mandated marks for both attendance and participation. The Virtual Program is not exempt from this expectation.
It is important to recognize that the Virtual Program is based on the Cross-Boundary acceptance. Cross-boundaries may be reviewed at any time, and especially at the change of academic semesters. Should the program not be a successful choice for the student based on attendance, participation, or academic success, it would be rescinded at the discretion of the school board, and the student would be supported to return to the home school.
Can My Child Switch Back to In-Person Learning?
The commitment to the Virtual Program is for at least the full semester. Logistically, if a request to return to the home school is made mid-semester, it would be unlikely to provide a matching timetable as courses will have already begun. If at the end of a semester, the student and family decide that the Virtual learning environment isn’t a good match, the family should contact the school to plan a return to the home school.
Can a Student Switch Into the Virtual Program Mid-Semester?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to join the Virtual Program mid-semester. Courses will have already begun, and since they are not gradual entry, this would not work logistically.
Regular Attendance and Active Participation are Essential for Success!
What Does It Mean to Be Present in Class?
Being Responsive
Respond to teacher when called on for attendance and regularly engage throughout the meet when asked to by your teacher. If you do not respond after the first 5–10 mins of class you will be removed from the meet and marked absent. It is the student’s responsibility to identify to the teacher if they are going to be late or absent and identify when they arrive. If you need help, ask!
Engagement/Camera Use During Class Time
Camera is to be turned on in class at all times and your face must be visible (i.e. facing the camera). Your mic needs to be functioning and students are expected to respond orally when addressed. You need to work with the classroom teacher, just as you would for in-person learning. Only the classroom teacher or administrator can ask students to turn camera off during the meet. Students will be removed from the Google Meet if they are not responsive and/or follow staff instructions to turn/keep their camera on.
Communication
If you need to have a bathroom or brief body break which will take you away from your screen please ensure you send a private chat message to your teacher when you “leave” the class and when you “return.” That way you will not be marked absent. This is similar as to what happens during in-person learning.
Use of Class Time
If you need to have a bathroom or brief body break which will take you away from your screen please ensure you send a private chat message to your teacher when you “leave” the class and when you “return.” That way you will not be marked absent. This is similar as to what happens during in-person learning.
Virtual learning is a new experience for many families. These tips and resources are here to help parents and guardians support their child’s learning at home.
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