OSSD Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma graduation requirements
High-School.ca is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education (BSID: XXXXX). All credits earned are official Ontario credits that appear on your Ontario Student Transcript (OST) and are fully transferable to any Ontario secondary school or recognized by post-secondary institutions.
Credit Requirements (30 Total)
To earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), students must earn 30 credits: 18 compulsory credits and 12 optional credits.
18 Compulsory Credits
| Subject Area | Credits |
|---|---|
| English (1 credit per grade: 9, 10, 11, 12) | 4 |
| Mathematics (at least 1 in Grade 11 or 12) | 3 |
| Science | 2 |
| Canadian History (Grade 10) | 1 |
| Canadian Geography (Grade 9) | 1 |
| The Arts | 1 |
| Health and Physical Education | 1 |
| French as a Second Language | 1 |
| Career Studies (Grade 10, half-credit) | 0.5 |
| Civics (Grade 10, half-credit) | 0.5 |
| Plus 3 additional compulsory credits from the following groups: | |
| Group 1: English, French, Classical Languages, International Languages, Native Languages, Canadian and World Studies, Native Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities, Guidance and Career Education, Cooperative Education | 1 |
| Group 2: Health and Physical Education, The Arts, Business Studies, French, Cooperative Education | 1 |
| Group 3: Science (Grade 11/12), Technological Education, French, Computer Studies, Cooperative Education | 1 |
| Total Compulsory Credits | 18 |
12 Optional Credits
Students earn 12 optional credits by completing courses of their choice that align with their interests, strengths, and post-secondary goals. These may be selected from any courses available in the Ontario curriculum.
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement
All students must demonstrate proficiency in literacy skills to graduate. This can be achieved through:
Option 1: OSSLT
The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is typically written in Grade 10. Students must pass this standardized test to meet the literacy requirement.
Option 2: OLC4O
Students who do not pass the OSSLT may take the Ontario Literacy Course (OLC4O), a full-credit course designed to help students meet the literacy requirement.
Note: The OSSLT must be written in-person at an approved testing centre. High-School.ca will provide information about local testing centres and registration deadlines.
40 Hours of Community Involvement
Students must complete 40 hours of unpaid community involvement activities. These hours are designed to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and the role they can play in supporting and strengthening their communities.
Eligible Activities
Community involvement activities may include:
- Volunteering at hospitals, senior centres, or community centres
- Helping at food banks, shelters, or charitable organizations
- Participating in environmental projects or community cleanups
- Tutoring or mentoring younger students
- Assisting at religious organizations or places of worship
- Volunteering at community events, festivals, or sports programs
- Working with animal shelters or conservation programs
Ineligible Activities
The following activities do not count toward community hours:
- Activities during class time (unless part of a credit course)
- Paid work or activities that replace paid workers
- Activities that benefit only family members
- Court-ordered community service
- Activities for which credits are earned
Track Your Hours: High-School.ca students can log and track their community involvement hours directly in their student portal. Simply upload your completion forms and we'll verify and record them on your transcript.
Post-Secondary Pathways
Ontario students typically follow one of several pathways based on their post-secondary goals. Course selection should align with your intended destination:
University Preparation (U)
Courses designed to prepare students for university programs. Focus on theoretical concepts and academic skills.
College Preparation (C)
Courses designed to prepare students for college programs. Balance of theoretical and practical applications.
University/College (M)
Courses that prepare students for both university and college programs. Flexible pathway options.
Workplace Preparation (E)
Courses designed to prepare students for direct entry into the workforce or apprenticeship programs.
Transfer Students
If you're transferring from another Ontario school, Canadian school, or international school, we'll work with you to evaluate your previous credits and create a pathway to graduation.
- Ontario transfers: Credits transfer directly. Provide your Ontario Student Transcript.
- Other Canadian provinces: Credits typically transfer with equivalency assessment.
- International students: Transcripts evaluated on case-by-case basis.
- Mature students (18+): May have flexible pathways and prior learning assessment options.
Contact our guidance team at guidance@high-school.ca for a personalized assessment of your transcript.
Ready to Start?
Browse our full course catalog and start earning your Ontario credits today. Our guidance counsellors are available to help you plan your pathway to graduation.