To graduate from an Ontario High School, students must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Community Service
2. Literacy Requirement
3. Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
4. Two Online Learning Courses

 

This section of our website is here to help guide our students towards achieving their OSSD. All of the requirements must be met to graduate. 

 

Community Service Hours:

As part of the diploma requirements, students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities during their secondary school years. Accumulation of community involvement hours may begin the summer after grade 8.

Please see the Community Involvement Brochure for eligible and ineligible activities.

The purpose of the community involvement requirement is to encourage students to develop an understanding of civic responsibility and the role they can play in supporting and strengthening their communities. As well, such involvement can assist students in increasing their awareness of community needs and in making a positive difference. Helping others enhances the self-image of students and fosters a greater sense of belonging. Experiences in the community may also influence career choices.

The requirement is to be completed outside the student's normal instructional hours. The activities are to take place in the student's designated lunch hours, after school, on weekends, or during school holidays. Each student must submit to the school a record of his or her community involvement activities . Before engaging in volunteer activities, students (and parents) are strongly advised to confirm the eligibility of all intended volunteer activities with their school's principal or guidance office.

 

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test:

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is administered in Grade 10. It is based on the Ontario curriculum expectations for reading and writing that have been identified across the curriculum up to and including Grade 9. The results of the OSSLT are reported as successful/unsuccessful. Students who are unsuccessful will be given clear feedback regarding their performance in order to help them address the areas where improvement is required. Students who are not initially successful will be allowed to retake the test. In addition, students who have had at least one failed attempt may enroll in the Literacy Course (OSSLC) to satisfy the diploma requirement.

A student with special education needs who has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) may receive accommodations for the test. The accommodations will be the same as those that are set out in the student's IEP and/or those that are available to the student in the course of his or her regular school work, including examinations and other forms of evaluation. (Note: Adherence to the EQAO policy on accommodation for the OSSLT is required.) A deferral may be granted if the student is unable to participate in the test even if all accommodations were provided. A student whose IEP indicates that the student is not working towards the attainment of a secondary school diploma may, with the consent of the parent and the approval of the principal, be exempted from participating in the OSSLT.

An English Language Learner (ELL) may receive special provisions such as adjustments to the setting and/or timing of the test. A deferral may be granted if the ELL has not acquired a level of proficiency in English sufficient to participate.

Decisions regarding accommodations, special provisions, and deferrals are made in consultation with the student and parents or the adult student, and with the appropriate teaching staff.

 

The Literacy Course

The OSSLC is a Grade 11/12 Open course and is part of The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: English program. Students are eligible to take this course after one failed attempt at the OSSLT with the principal's permission. When students successfully complete the OSSLC, they will have met the provincial literacy requirement for graduation. Students earn a credit for successful completion of the OSSLC which may be used as an additional English credit (to meet either the Grade 11 or 12 English credit) or a Group 1 compulsory credit.

 

To view OSSD graduation requirements click here

 

 

In February 2022, the Ministry of Education has added a new online learning requirement for secondary students to graduate, and provided an opt-out process for this requirement (PPM 167).

Beginning with the cohort of students who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-21 year, all students must earn a minimum of two online learning credits as part of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) unless they have opted out or are exempted. Adult learners entering the Ontario secondary school system in 2023-24 or later will also be required to meet this graduation requirement, unless they opt out.

The goal of this new direction is to support the development of digital literacy and other important transferable skills, with a vision to provide equitable access to high-quality online learning to every student to help prepare them to succeed in a digital and ever-changing world.

Students working towards other certificates are not required to complete the online learning graduation requirement but may be encouraged to enroll in online learning courses to support the development of digital literacy and other important transferable skills.

Click here for the opt out of eLearning form.

 

 

Click here to see the College Information sheet

 

Student Responsibilities:

1. Research the various colleges and decide on which programs you wish to apply for.
2. Complete the online application form. We strongly recommend that the application is completed by the end of December. Note: Applicants are encouraged to apply before this date as website volumes are at their highest at this time. This is not a deadline for submitting applications. After this date, applications are still processed, but are considered by the colleges on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Important Websites:

www.ontariocolleges.ca Ontario College Application Service

• Has links to all colleges
• Allows you to easily search for a college program
• Application is completed at this website

www.ontransfer.ca Ontario College University Transfer Guide

• Agreements outlining details for students
• Transferring between colleges and universities

 

Application Process:

• Cost $ 110
• 5 program choices with no more than 3 at any one college.
• Applications are completed by the student online at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

 

Applicant Checklist:

1. Explore your college options.
2. Check out college publications, websites and tours. A good place to start is the guidance office and online.
3. Research program admission requirements at www.ontariocolleges.ca
4. Obtain a valid email.

 

 

College Information Sessions:

Students are required to sign the lists in the guidance office if they plan to attend any of the information sessions. Students are also reminded that they are responsible for any work covered during their absences from class to attend the sessions. Please inform your teacher in advance of missing class to attend any of these sessions. Report to your teacher for attendance purposes before proceeding to the college presentations.

Most meeting will be held in room 218. Please be sure to sign up for the presentations in advance. If there is not enough

**Follow us on Twitter/Instagram @GuidancePDHS for more information**

 

Click here to see the University Information sheet

 

Ontario University Application:

• Completed on-line at www.ouac.on.ca
• Completion of application is student’s responsibility
• Recommended this be completed by end of December
• Access codes and application instructions will be distributed when the information arrives.
• Mark submission:
  • School responsibility
  • November student profiles
  • February semester 1 final marks
  • April semester 2 mid-semester marks
  • July semester 2 final marks
• Latest date for offers of admission - end of May
• Application fee – ($150 for first 3 choices and $50 for each additional choice)
• Reminder: Applicants pay for all program choices. If an applicant withdraws a choice and replaces it with a new choice, the new choice will incur a charge. The only exception is if an applicant withdraws a choice and adds a new choice or re-adds the original choice at the same university.
• Students are limited to 3 program choices per university
• "What if there are no offers of admission? * be prepared, have a backup plan!

 

Information for Identified Exceptional Students:

Students are strongly advised to review the policies and procedures at each university relating to students with special needs. Information with regard to university admissions and educational support and accommodations once registered should be clarified.

Research

Be an active participant in the application process. You are solely responsible for researching information regarding university choices and the completion of the application form. Your guidance counsellor is available to assist you throughout the application process but cannot make choices for you.

 

Important Websites:

www.ouac.on.ca Ontario University Application Centre (access to online course calendars for all Ontario universities)
www.osca.ca Ontario School Counsellors Association
https://yconic.com Scholarship information. (Formerly studentawards.com)

 

 

University Information Sessions:

Students are required to sign the individual lists in the guidance office if they plan to attend any of the information sessions. Students are also reminded that they are responsible for any work covered during their absence from class to attend one of these sessions. Please inform your teacher in advance that you will be missing class to attend any of these sessions. Report to your teacher for attendance purposes before proceeding to the university presentation. If sufficient interest for these information sessions is not shown by students or students sign up and do not attend, then future sessions will be cancelled.

 

**Follow us on Twitter/Instagram @GuidancePDHS for reminders and updated information*