OSSD Requirements

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What do you need to graduate from high school?

18 compulsory credits

compulsory Credits

Students must earn the following compulsory credits to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma:

Compulsory Credits Table

4	credits in English (1 credit per grade)*
3	credits in mathematics (1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
2	credits in science
1	credit in Canadian history
1	credit in Canadian geography
1	credit in the arts
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

In addition, students must complete:

Additional Requirements

12 optional credits (may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit courses)
40 hours of community involvement activities
the provincial literacy requirement

Ontario Secondary School Diploma Requirements (pdf)

other credits

Plus one credit from each of the following groups:

other credits table

Group 1:

English or French as a second language**
a Native language
a classical or international language
social sciences and the humanities
Canadian and world studies
guidance and career education
cooperative education***

Group 2:

health and physical education
the arts
business studies
French as a second language**
cooperative education***

Group 3:

science (Grade 11 or 12)
technological education
French as a second language**
computer studies
cooperative education***

explanations

* A maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy development (ELO) 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.

** In groups 1, 2 and 3, a maximum of 2 credits in French as a second language can count as compulsory credits, one from group 1 and one from either group 2 or group 3.

*** A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits.