What it takes to earn the OSSD.
Ontario's secondary school diploma has four parts: credits, literacy, community involvement and online learning. Below is each one, and how to plan Grade 12 for a university goal.
30 credits.
A credit is earned by passing a course scheduled for at least 110 hours. Seventeen credits are compulsory and set by Ontario. The other thirteen are the student's choice.
This list applies to students who started Grade 9 in September 2024 or later. Students who started earlier follow a slightly different list, and admissions applies the right one.
- 4EnglishOne in each grade. English language learners can count up to three ESL credits, and the fourth must be Grade 12 English.
- 3MathematicsOne in Grade 9, one in Grade 10 and one in Grade 11 or 12.
- 2Science
- 1Canadian geographyGrade 9
- 1Canadian historyGrade 10
- 1French as a second language
- 1The arts
- 1Health and physical education
- 1Technological educationGrade 9 or 10
- ½Career studiesIncludes financial literacy for students who start Grade 9 in 2025 or later.
- ½Civics and citizenship
- 1One more STEM creditBusiness studies, computer studies, cooperative education, or an additional mathematics, science or technological education course.
Three more requirements.
Hours of community involvement
Volunteer activities that benefit the community. Students complete them where they live, and the principal approves the activities.
Online credits
Ontario asks every student to earn two credits online. At International High School of Canada every course is online, so the requirement is met with the first two.
Literacy requirement
Met by passing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, usually in Grade 10, or by completing the OLC4O literacy course.
Plan Grade 12 around a university goal.
Universities admit on Grade 12 U and M courses. Choose a direction to see the six courses most programs in that area look for.
Course types in Grades 11 and 12.
The last letter of every course code shows the destination the course prepares for.
- UUniversity preparationFor university programs. Most Ontario university programs look at six Grade 12 U or M courses, including ENG4U.
- MUniversity/college preparationAccepted by universities or colleges, depending on the program.
- CCollege preparationFor college diploma and certificate programs.
- OOpenOpen to every student, with no particular destination.
Map out all four years.
Admissions builds a course plan for every student, starting from the credits they already have.