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Graduation Course Requirements

 

What Courses do you Need to Graduate from Secondary School?

 

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

Compulsory Course Credits

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 Language Programs
0.5 credit in Career Studies
0.5 credit in Civics

 

 

Also, students must obtain 12 more credits but may choose the courses.

✓ These 12 optional-course credits may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit courses.

Additional Compulsory Course Credits - one credit from each of the following course groups: **

1

Group 1:

  • English or French Language Program**
  • A Native language
  • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit studies
  • A Classical or International Language
  • Social Sciences and the Humanities
  • Canadian and world studies
  • Guidance and Career Education
  • Cooperative Education***
1

Group 2:

  • Health and Physical Education
  • The Arts
  • Business Studies
  • French Language Programs**
  • Cooperative Education***

 
1

Group 3:

  • Science (Grade 11 or 12)
  • Technological Education
  • French Language Programs**
  • Computer Studies
  • 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 Language Programs 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.

NOTE: In addition to meeting the above course requirements, students must meet the eLearning Requirement and the Literacy Requirement, and complete Community Involvement - 40 Hours.

Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC)

The Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC) will be granted on request to students who leave school before earning the OSSD, provided that they have earned a minimum of 14 credits as follows:

  • 7 Compulsory Credits
    (2 English, 1 Canadian Geography or Canadian History, 1 Mathematics, 1 Health and Physical Education, 1 Science, 1 Arts or Technological Education or Computer Studies)
     
  • 7 Optional-Course Credits

7 credits are required but the student selects from available courses.

 

Certificate of Accomplishment

Students who are not working towards an OSSD or an OSSC may be awarded a Certificate of Accomplishment upon leaving secondary school. The Certificate of Accomplishment is a useful means of recognizing achievement for students who plan to transition directly to employment after leaving school. The Certificate of Accomplishment is to be accompanied by the student’s Ontario Student Transcript. For students who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a copy of the IEP may be included.