Ontario Secondary School Diploma Requirements
The following requirements must be successfully completed in order to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD):
- 30 credits including 18 compulsory credits and 12 optional credits
- 40 hours of community involvement
- Successful completion of the EQAO Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) or the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC)
Compulsory Credits
Students must earn the following 18 compulsory credits to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma:
- 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)*
- 3 credits in Mathematics (1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
- 2 credits in Science
- 1 credit in Canadian History
- 1 credit in Canadian Geography
- 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
Plus one credit from each of the following groups:
Group 1: 1 additional credit in English, or French as a Second Language,** or a Native language, or a Classical or an International language, or Social Sciences and the Humanities, or Canadian and World Studies, or Guidance and Career Education, or Cooperative Education***
Group 2: 1 additional credit in Health and Physical Education, or the Arts, or Business Studies, or French as a Second Language,** or Cooperative Education***
Group 3: 1 additional credit in Science (Grade 11 or 12), or Technological Education, or French as a Second Language,** or Computer Studies, or Cooperative Education***
A maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English Literacy Development (ELD) may be counted towards the 4 compulsory credits in English, but the fourth must be a credit earned for a Grade 12 compulsory English course.
** In groups 1, 2 and 3, a maximum of 2 credits in French as a Second Language can count as compulsory credits, one from group 1 and one from either group 2 or group 3.
*** A maximum of 2 credits in Cooperative Education can count as compulsory credits.
The 12 optional credits may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit courses.
Optional Courses
In addition to the compulsory credits, 12 optional credits are required. Elective credits are selected by the student based on individual interests and goals. Parents, counsellors, teachers and administrators can help the student make a wise selection.
Students who wish to enrol in a Focus Program or an Online Course should obtain a Supplementary Option Sheet from the Student Services or Guidance Department. The Supplementary Option Sheet must be submitted at the same time as the home school option sheet.
Ontario Secondary School Certificate Requirements
The following requirements must be successfully completed in order to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC):
Earn 14 credits (including 7 compulsory credits):
- 2 credits in English
- 1 credit in Canadian Geography or Canadian History
- 1 credit in Mathematics
- 1 credit in Science
- 1 credit in Health and Physical Education
- 1 credit in the Arts or Technological Education
- 7 elective credits
Students are not required to complete 40 hours of community involvement.
Students are not required to pass the Ontario Secondary Literacy Test.