Our Approach
Canada has a long-standing tradition in distance education, shaped by its vast geography and low population density. In fact, Athabasca University, founded in 1970, was one of the world’s first institutions dedicated to remote learning. Just over a decade later, in 1984, the University of Toronto hosted the world’s first course delivered in a virtual environment. Today, while most leading global universities incorporate some form of remote learning infrastructure, the COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated that many educational institutions were still inadequately prepared for an interactive virtual education model.
At OIHS, we believe the ideal education system blends the best of three worlds:
- Independent learning through expertly designed course materials
- Peer-to-peer learning fostered in small group discussions
- Guided learning led by experienced teachers
We believe traditional educational institutions have reached the limits of their effectiveness. The future of education lies in a hybrid model one that effectively harnesses educational technologies like artificial intelligence and extended reality, embraces active methodologies such as flipped learning, and fosters peer-to-peer growth through small group collaboration. This model seamlessly combines the strengths of interactive virtual learning and in-person experiences, offering students flexibility, agency, and a significantly richer educational journey.
Such a system empowers students to progress at their own pace, take ownership of their education, learn collaboratively, and consult experts when needed. While we recognize the importance of in-class learning for the development of social and emotional skills in early childhood and elementary years, we also believe that high school students are mature enough to engage actively in shaping their educational journey. By removing the time and place constraints of traditional schooling, this approach better prepares students for university-level study and lifelong learning.
At OIHS, we seamlessly integrate the standard Ontario curriculum's dynamic interactive virtual courses, peer learning, and synchronous live instruction led by certified Canadian high school teachers. We effectively leverage modern educational technologies to personalize each student’s learning journey. We are confident that this model represents the future of secondary education—and the best possible preparation for success at university and beyond.
