Overview
TVO ILC (Independent Learning Centre) is an online public high school in Ontario, Canada, that has been delivering distance education since 1926. It is accredited by Ontario's Ministry of Education to grant the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), and TVO ILC describes itself as the largest online high school in Ontario.
Who can take it
Students must be at least 14 years old by 31 December of the academic year, and must have completed Grade 8. Homeschooled students need a "Letter in Response to Parents' Notification" from their local school board, and students currently enrolled in another high school apply through their guidance counsellor.
Structure or exam pattern
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Course load | Up to 4 courses at a time, and up to 8 courses within a 10-month period |
| Study time per course | About 110 hours |
| Assignments | Submitted sequentially through the course, with feedback within 5 business days |
| Final assessment | A mandatory final test, completed online with a virtual proctor |
| Course catalogue | 140+ Ontario Ministry of Education-approved secondary school courses across all subject areas |
What it covers
Courses span the standard Ontario secondary curriculum, delivered independently rather than in a scheduled classroom, with students working through course content and assignments at their own pace within the programme's limits.
Scoring and results
Each course culminates in a proctored final test taken online, following the assignments submitted throughout the course.
Recognition
TVO ILC credits count toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and are accepted by colleges and universities across Ontario, and more broadly across Canada and internationally.
Dates and fees
Most Ontario residents pay $40 per course, with the balance of the cost subsidized by the government. All course fees are non-refundable.
How to register
Prospective students register through TVO ILC directly; homeschooled applicants and currently enrolled high school students follow the specific pathways described above (a letter from their school board, or their guidance counsellor, respectively).
Preparation tips
Since courses run on independent study with sequential assignments and a set final test, pacing coursework against the roughly 110-hour workload per course, rather than waiting until close to the final test, is the main way to stay on track.
What qualification does TVO ILC lead to?
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), since TVO ILC is accredited by Ontario's Ministry of Education to grant it.
How many TVO ILC courses can I take at once?
Up to 4 courses at a time, to a maximum of 8 courses within a 10-month period.
How is a TVO ILC course assessed?
Through assignments submitted as the student works through the course, followed by a mandatory final test completed online under virtual proctoring.
How much does a TVO ILC course cost?
Most Ontario residents pay $40 per course, with fees non-refundable once paid.