Schools in Ontario are governed by Ministry of Education in Ontario. The Ontario high
school curriculum is designed by the Ministry of Education in Ontario and are to be followed
by all public and private high schools. In Ontario, we encourage students to think and
inquire on their own. We focus more on hands-on experiences and help the students to
discover what they truly like.
The Ontario high school curriculum not only provide student with textbook materials, but
also aim to help student make connection between textbook knowledge and real world’s
needs. Ontario’s education is famous for preparing students for the future and encourage
them to develop to his or her full potential. Students are encouraged to think about their
post-secondary direction as early as Grade 9, as courses selected in high school are
directly linked to their program choice in university.
In Ontario, students must meet the following requirements to obtain the Ontario Secondary
School Diploma (OSSD). Beside Career Studies and Civics, each completed course counts
as one credit.
1. Complete minimum 30 Credits, including 18 compulsory credits and 12 optional
Credits.
a. 18 compulsory credits
4 credits in English or French (from Grade 9 – 12) *
3 credits in Mathematics (including 1 credit from Grade 11 or Grade 12)
2 credits in Science (1 credit each in Grade 9 and Grade 10)
1 credit in Canadian History (Grade 9/10)
1 credit in Canadian Geography (Grade 9/10)
1 credit in Arts
1 credit in Health and Physical Education
1 credit in French as a Second Language
0.5 credit in Career Studies (Grade 10)
0.5 credit in Civics (Grade 10)
1 credit from each of the following
*A maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy
development (ELD) may be counted towards the 4 compulsory credits in English, but the
fourth must be a credit earned for a Grade 12 compulsory English course.
**A maximum of 2 credits in Cooperative Education can count as compulsory credits.
***May include up to four credits achieved through approved Dual Credit course.
b. 12 optional credits, earned in courses that the student may select from the full
range of courses offered by the school.
2. 40 hours of community involvement activities
The purpose of community involvement is to encourage students to develop an awareness
and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play to contribute to their
communities. These 40 hours may be completed at any time during the student’s high
school years and may take place in a variety of settings, including not-for-profit
organizations, businesses, public sector institutions, and informal settings.
3. The provincial Literacy Requirement
The successful completion of Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is required
for graduation. This test will measure how well students are meeting the reading
expectations outlined in the curriculum. If students cannot pass the test the 1st time, they
have a second chance at the following school year, or as long as they successfully
complete Ontario Secondary Literacy Course OLC4O before graduation.
school curriculum is designed by the Ministry of Education in Ontario and are to be followed
by all public and private high schools. In Ontario, we encourage students to think and
inquire on their own. We focus more on hands-on experiences and help the students to
discover what they truly like.
The Ontario high school curriculum not only provide student with textbook materials, but
also aim to help student make connection between textbook knowledge and real world’s
needs. Ontario’s education is famous for preparing students for the future and encourage
them to develop to his or her full potential. Students are encouraged to think about their
post-secondary direction as early as Grade 9, as courses selected in high school are
directly linked to their program choice in university.
In Ontario, students must meet the following requirements to obtain the Ontario Secondary
School Diploma (OSSD). Beside Career Studies and Civics, each completed course counts
as one credit.
1. Complete minimum 30 Credits, including 18 compulsory credits and 12 optional
Credits.
a. 18 compulsory credits
4 credits in English or French (from Grade 9 – 12) *
3 credits in Mathematics (including 1 credit from Grade 11 or Grade 12)
2 credits in Science (1 credit each in Grade 9 and Grade 10)
1 credit in Canadian History (Grade 9/10)
1 credit in Canadian Geography (Grade 9/10)
1 credit in Arts
1 credit in Health and Physical Education
1 credit in French as a Second Language
0.5 credit in Career Studies (Grade 10)
0.5 credit in Civics (Grade 10)
1 credit from each of the following
*A maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy
development (ELD) may be counted towards the 4 compulsory credits in English, but the
fourth must be a credit earned for a Grade 12 compulsory English course.
**A maximum of 2 credits in Cooperative Education can count as compulsory credits.
***May include up to four credits achieved through approved Dual Credit course.
b. 12 optional credits, earned in courses that the student may select from the full
range of courses offered by the school.
2. 40 hours of community involvement activities
The purpose of community involvement is to encourage students to develop an awareness
and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play to contribute to their
communities. These 40 hours may be completed at any time during the student’s high
school years and may take place in a variety of settings, including not-for-profit
organizations, businesses, public sector institutions, and informal settings.
3. The provincial Literacy Requirement
The successful completion of Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is required
for graduation. This test will measure how well students are meeting the reading
expectations outlined in the curriculum. If students cannot pass the test the 1st time, they
have a second chance at the following school year, or as long as they successfully
complete Ontario Secondary Literacy Course OLC4O before graduation.
