Students in Grades 9 -12 are subject to the diploma requirements of the Ministry of Education, as described in the section for these grades. More details can be found in Ontario Secondary Schools: Grades 9-12, Program and Diploma Requirements, 1999 copies of which are available from local secondary schools and on the Ministry of Education website at www.edu.gov.on.ca.
Great care has been taken in editing this document but errors do occur and provincial policies do change. The most authoritative source for course descriptions, course prerequisites and graduation requirements is the Ministry of Education website.
The following requirements must be successfully completed in order to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD):
- 30 credits including 18 compulsory credits and 12 options;
- 40 hours of Community Involvement;
- Successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, OSSLT, written in Grade 10 OR the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course, OLC4O1
Compulsory Credits
- 4 English (1 credit per grade)
- 3 Mathematics (1 at the Senior Level)
- 2 Science
- 1 French
- 1 Canadian Geography (Grade 9)
- 1 Canadian History (Grade 10)
- 1 Arts credit (any of Visual Arts, Music, Drama, Dance)
- 1 Health and Physical Education
- 0.5 credit in Civics
- 0.5 credit in Career Studies
- Group 1 – one additional credit in English, OR French OR Native Languages OR Classical and International Languages OR Social Sciences and the Humanities OR Canadian and World Studies OR Guidance and Career Education OR Cooperative Education
- Group 2 – one additional credit in Health and Physical Education OR the Arts OR Business Studies, OR Cooperative Education
- Group 3 – one additional credit in Senior Sceince (11 – 12) or Computer Studies (Grade 10-12) OR Technological(Grade 9-12), OR Cooperative Education
A maximum of two of the three additional compulsory credit requirements for groups 1, 2, and 3 may be met with credits earned through cooperative education.
View the Secondary Course Calendar.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
The formal evaluation and credit-granting process whereby students may obtain credits for prior learning. Prior learning includes the knowledge and skills that students have acquired, in both formal and informal ways, outside secondary school. Students may have their knowledge and skills evaluated against the expectations outlined in the Ontario curriculum in order to earn credits towards their OSSD.
Secondary students and families who are interested in learning more about Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) are encouraged to review the attached supporting documents. Supporting documents include an Infographic, a slide deck, and an application package. Interested families and students are encouraged to contact their guidance counsellor to express their interest in the PLAR process, and to ask questions.
Learning to 18
Provincial law passed in 2005 that requires students to continue learning until age 18 or graduation.
If you are 18 or older and leave school before earning an OSSD, you may be eligible to receive an Ontario Secondary School Certificate.
Student Records
Student Records, including transcripts and diplomas can be obtained through the Hill Park Learning Centre. For more information, please visit the Student Records webpage.
Updated on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.