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What does a student need to graduate from high school?
High school students must complete a certain number of credits (courses), do community involvement hours, and pass a literacy test to graduate.
Depending on when the student started Grade 9, they will need the following requirements to graduate and receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
Students who started Grade 9 in 2023 and earlier will need:
18 Compulsory Credits
4 English credits (1 credit per grade)
3 Math credits (at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
3 Credits, one from each of these three groups
2 Science credits
1 Canadian history credit (Grade 10)
1 Canadian geography credit (Grade 9)
1 Arts credit
1 Health and physical education
1 French as a second language credit
0.5 Career studies credit
0.5 Civics and Citizenship
12 Optional Credits - Students earn credits by completing courses offered in their school’s program and course calendar. Up to 4 of those credits can be from the dual credit program.
Literacy Requirement - Students must meet the Ontario Ministry of Education’s provincial literacy standard by passing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).
2 Online Learning Credits - Students who started Grade 9 in the 2020-21 school year or later must earn at least 2 online learning credits.
Students who started Grade 9 in 2024 and later will need:
17 Compulsory Credits
4 English credits (1 credit per grade)
3 Math credits (1 credit must be Grade 11 or 12)
2 Science credits
1 STEM-related credit from this group
1 Technology Education credit (Grade 9 or 10)
1 Canadian history credit (Grade 10)
1 Canadian geography credit (Grade 9)
1 Arts credit
1 Health and physical education
1 French as a second language credit
0.5 Career studies credit
0.5 Civics and Citizenship
13 Optional Credits - Students earn credits by completing courses offered in their school’s program and course calendar. Up to 4 of those credits can be from the dual credit program.
Literacy Requirement - Students must meet the Ontario Ministry of Education’s provincial literacy standard by passing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).
2 Online Learning Credits - Students who started Grade 9 in the 2020-21 school year or later must earn at least 2 online learning credits.
Community Involvement Hours
All students are required to complete 40 hours of unpaid community involvement as a way to contribute to their community. Students gain an awareness of their civic responsibility, make a difference in the lives of those around them, and explore future career opportunities through volunteering.
These community volunteer activities must:
- not be part of a credit course
- be performed outside of scheduled class time
- be unpaid
- be completed by the time they graduate Grade 12
Many community agencies can help you find information about schools for your children.
Go to Services Near Me and search for "settlement services" in your area, where you might find service in your own language.
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Last updated:
August 14, 2024
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