Virtual School Start Date

Due to the large number of families who have selected Virtual School (more than 72,000 students), we require additional time to staff and timetable to ensure a more consistent opening for all staff and students. As a result, all students, including those in Special Education classes, attending Virtual School (elementary and secondary) will begin on Tuesday, September 22. Our top priority is to ensure students experience success in both our in-person schools and virtual schools.

• September 14: Virtual School Parent/Guardian Update
• September 16: Virtual School Parent/Guardian Update
• September 20: Secondary Virtual School Update

During the first week, the focus will be on connecting with individual students, building community and getting everyone accustomed to and settled into the new online environment. An important part of the initial start for the Virtual School will also be to ensure that all students are aware of and understand the TDSB Online Code of Conduct and privacy issues and expectations related to online learning. 

Class Size 

Class sizes in the Secondary Virtual School will be the same as those in our in-person model. Class size in secondary schools is determined by the type of course. For example: Academic (target of 30 students), Applied (target of 23 students), University (target of 31 students), College (target of 26 students) and University/College (target of 31 students). 

Quadmester Dates

• Quad 1:  September 22 - November 17 + Exams November 18 & 19
• Quad 2:  November 23 - February 2 + Exams February 3 & 4
• Quad 3:  February 8 - April 20 + Exams April 21 & 22
• Quad 4:  April 23 - June 23 + Exams June 24, 25, 28 
   

Entering From or Returning to In-Person Learning

We recognize that parents/guardians and/or students may want to switch between in-person learning and Virtual School. It is important to note that, for health and safety reasons, and because of the impact switching would have on staffing, physical distancing and space allocation, it will not be possible to immediately transition between the two models. As a result, an opportunity to enter the Virtual School or to return to in-person learning will be provided at the end of each quadmester as follows: 

Structure of the Day

Students may take one or two courses per quadmester. Course 1 will meet online in the morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Course 2 will meet online in the afternoon from 12:30 to 3 p.m. 

As per the Ministry of Education, teachers in the Virtual School will deliver two hours per course/per day in a synchronous (live, online) format. There will also be time for asynchronous (independent work) learning, which may include small group learning, tutorials, and one-on-one support. Daily attendance will be taken.