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Getting your Diploma

Getting Your Diploma

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) Requirements

Compulsory Credits (Total of 18)

4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)

  • The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) may be used to meet either the Grade 11 or the Grade 12 English compulsory credit requirement.
  • The Grade 11 Contemporary Aboriginal Voices course may be used to meet the Grade 11 English compulsory credit requirement.
  • For English language learners, the requirement may be met through earning a maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy development (ELD); the fourth credit must be a Grade 12 compulsory English course.

3 credits in mathematics

(at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)

2 credits in science

1 credit in the arts

The Grade 9 Expressing Aboriginal Cultures course may be used to meet the compulsory credit requirement in the arts.

1 credit in Canadian geography (Grade 9)

1 credit in Canadian history (Grade 10)

1 credit in French as a second language

Students who have taken Native languages in place of French as a second language in elementary school may use a Level 1 or 2 Na¬tive language course to meet the compulsory credit requirement for French as a second language.

1 credit in health and physical education

0.5 credit in career studies

0.5 credit in civics

3 additional credits, consisting of 1 credit from each of the following groups:

Group 1:
English (including the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course), French as a second language, classical languages, international languages, Native languages, Canadian and world studies, Native studies, social sciences and humanities, guidance and career education, cooperative education

Group 2:
French as a second language, the arts, business studies, health and physical education, cooperative education

Group 3:
French as a second language, science (Grade 11 or 12), computer studies, technological education, cooperative education

Note:
The following conditions apply to selections from the above three groups:

  • A maximum of 2 credits in French as a second language may count as additional compulsory credits, 1 credit from Group 1, and 1 credit from either Group 2 or Group 3.
  • A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education may count as additional compulsory credits, selected from any of Groups 1, 2, or 3.

Community Involvement


Students are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of mandatory Community Involvement prior to graduation. 

  • An indication of completion will be entered on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript when the 40 hours have been submitted
  • Secondary school staff will discuss appropriate types of Community Involvement activities and projects with students and may offer suggestions, but the selection and management of the involvement is to be directed by the student.
  • The TDSB publishes a list of “approved” and “non-approved” activities; students must receive pre-approval for volunteer activities from the Principal or Designate.
  • Activities may take place inside or outside the school. If inside, activities may not be part of a credit program.
  • The student may not displace a worker who would normally have been paid to perform the same function or receive pay.
  • Community Involvement may begin in the summer after Grade 8.
  • For volunteer opportunities check:
    www.volunteertoronto.ca
    www.toronto-charities.ca
    www.charityvillage.com
    Community Involvement Getting Started Guide
    Community Involvement Activity Notification and Completion Form

 

Ontario Secondary Literacy Requirement

Students must write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), which is created and marked by the Ministry of Education. Students who write the OSSLT and who have been unsuccessful at least once are eligible to take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O).

More information about the OSSLT

 

Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC)

Ontario Secondary School Certificate will be granted, on request, to students who are leaving school upon reaching the age of 18 without earning the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. (OS, section 6.3) A student must have earned:

  • 2 English
  • 1 Canadian Geography or Canadian History
  • 1 Mathematics
  • 1 Science
  • 1 Health and Physical Education
  • 1 Arts, Computer Studies or Technological Education
  • 7 optional credits selected by the student from available courses

 

Certificate of Accomplishment

Students who leave school upon reaching the age of 18 without having met the requirements for the OSSD or OSSC may be granted a Certificate of Accomplishment. This certificate is a useful means of recognizing achievement for students who plan to continue certain kinds of training or find employment.

A student may return to school and take additional credit and non-credit courses and have their transcript (OST) updated. A new certificate will not be awarded, but an OSSD or OSSC will be granted when the returning student has fulfilled the requirements. (OS, section 6.4)