What You Need To Graduate

What You Need To Graduate

The requirements to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma depend on when you started Grade 9.

Entering Grade 9 in 2023 or Earlier

Entering Grade 9 in 2024 or Later 

18 Compulsory Credits

  • 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)a
  • 3 credits in Mathematics (at least 1 in Grade 11 or 12)
  • 2 credits in Science
  • 1 credit in Canadian Geography (Grade 9)
  • 1 credit in Canadian History (Grade 10)
  • 1 credit in the Artsb
  • 1 credit in Health and Physical Education
  • 1 credit in French as a Second Language
  • 0.5 credit in Career Studies
  • 0.5 credit in Civics and Citizenship
  • 3 credits - one from each of Groups 1, 2, and 3

Group 1:

Additional English, French as a Second Languagec, Social Sciences and the Humanities, a Native/Classical/International Language, FNMI Studies, Canadian and World Studies, Guidance and Career Education, Cooperative Educationc

Group 2:

Health and Physical Education, the Arts, Business, French as a Second Languagec, Cooperative Education

Group 3:

Science (Grade 11 or 12), Technological Education, Computer Studies, French as a Second Languagec, Cooperative Educationc

Other Graduation Requirements:
  • 12 optional credits
  • OSSLT or OSSLC
  • 40 Hours of Community Involvement
  • Online Learning Requirement (2 credits)

17 Compulsory Credits

  • 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)a
  • 3 credits in Mathematics (Grade 9, Grade 10, and 1 credit in either Grade 11 or 12)
  • 2 credits in Science
  • 1 credit in Canadian Geography (Grade 9)
  • 1 credit in Canadian History (Grade 10)
  • 1 credit in the Artsb
  • 1 credit in Health and Physical Education
  • 1 credit in French as a Second Language
  • 1 credit in Technological Education (Grade 9 or 10)
  • 0.5 credit in Career Studies
  • 0.5 credit in Civics and Citizenship
  • 1 credit from the STEM-related course group

STEM-Related Course Group
  • Business Studies
  • Computer Studies
  • Cooperative Education
  • An additional Mathematics
  • An additional Science
  • An additional Technological Education
Other Graduation Requirements:
  • 13 optional credits
  • OSSLT or OSSLC
  • 40 Hours of Community Involvement
  • Online Learning Requirement (2 credits)
  • Financial Literacy Requirement (starting 2025-26)

a) A maximum of 3 credits in ESL/ELD can count towards the 4 compulsory English; the fourth must be a Grade 12 compulsory English course. 
a) Grade 11 English: Understanding Contemporary FNMI Voices course can meet the Grade 11 English requirement. 
b) Grade 9 Expressions of FNMI Cultures course can meet the credit requirement in the arts. 
c) A maximum of 2 FSL credits or 2 coop credits can count towards Groups 1, 2, and 3.


Download the printable version of the OSSD Requirements.

A detailed list of compulsory and optional credits can also be found on the Ministry of Education website.

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is a standardized test that Grade 10 students across Ontario. Passing is a requirement for graduation. More information can be found on the OSSLT website.

Mandatory Community Involvement

In Ontario, all secondary students are required to complete 40 hours of community involvement in order to receive a diploma. Students can begin collecting their hours in the summer following Grade 8 graduation.

Specifications:

  • Students can not be paid for the event.
  • These activities must take place outside of class time (i.e. lunch hour, before/after school and weekends).
  • It must not be part of a credit course including work experiences related to credits (i.e. co-op, job shadowing, work experience).
  • All 40 hours must be completed by the end of Grade 12. 

You can download the Community Involvement Form to track completed hour or get one from your school. Contact your school with additional questions about community involvement.

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