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High School/OSSD Requirements (Grades 9-12)

High School/OSSD Requirements (Grades 9-12)

Our Secondary School Program leading to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is offered in both Online and Traditional mode.

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To earn a high school diploma in Ontario, known as the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), students must:


•    earn 18 compulsory credits
•    earn 12 optional credits
•    pass the literacy requirement
•    complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities

•    complete 2 credits online 

Compulsory credits

Students must earn the following 18 compulsory credits to get their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD):


•    4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)
•    3 credits in Mathematics (at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
•    3 credits for group 1, 2 and 3 courses (1 credit in each group)
•    2 credits in Science
•    1 credit in Canadian History (Grade 10)
•    1 credit in Canadian Geography (Grade 9)
•    1 credit in the Arts
•    1 credit in Health and Physical Education
•    1 credit in French as a second language
•    0.5 credit in Career Studies
•    0.5 credit in Civics

Group 1, 2 and 3 compulsory credits

Of the 18 compulsory credits, students must complete one from each of the following groups:

Group 1

Group 2

  • Health and Physical Education

  • The Arts

  • Business Studies

  • French as a second language

  • Cooperative Education

Group 3

  • Science (Grade 11 or 12)

  • Technological Education

  • French as a second language

  • Computer Studies

  • Cooperative Education

English as a second language (ESL) and English literacy development (ELD)

Students may count a maximum of 3 credits in ESL or ELD towards the 4 compulsory credits in English.

The fourth credit must be for a Grade 12 compulsory English course.

Optional credits

Students must earn 12 optional credits by successfully completing courses offered in their school’s program and course calendar.

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Optional credits may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit programs.

Literacy graduation requirement

All students must meet the secondary school literacy graduation requirement to earn their high school diploma.


For most students, this means passing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) or if unsuccessful, taking the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC).

Community involvement hours

All secondary school students in Ontario must complete 40 hours of community involvement to receive their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

Students who are looking for community involvement opportunities should:

If approved by our school’s principal, students may count the following towards their community involvement hours: 

  • up to 10 hours of paid employment if a student is 14 years or older and completes a reflection exercise demonstrating how their work contributed to their community

  • community involvement during school time, for example, walking a younger child to and from school or helping younger siblings with schoolwork

  • duties normally performed at home, for example, helping an elderly relative with errands or providing after school care for a sibling

Students under 18 years old should consult with their parents to plan and select their community involvement activities, according to ministry guidelines. Students should also speak to their guidance counsellor about other ways their school could allow them to earn community involvement hours this year.

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The community involvement requirement is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop awareness and understanding about civic responsibility. Students can actively participate in supporting and strengthening their communities. It also provides the opportunity for students to learn more about themselves and possible career opportunities.

Online Learning Requirement

Students are required to earn two online learning credits to graduate from secondary school, beginning with every student who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-21 school year. The graduation requirement is intended to support students in developing familiarity and comfort with learning and working in a fully online environment, as well as developing digital literacy and other important transferable skills that they will need for success after secondary school, including in post-secondary education and the workplace.

You can view Ontario curriculum expectations for each grade from Kindergarten to Grade 12 here - www.dcp.edu.gov.on.ca

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