Graduation Requirements
New - Elearning Opt out form - Click here for the Form
Students are required to take 2 elearning courses to graduate however, students may choose to opt out by filling in this online form. If the student is under 18 a parent must fill it out.
To ensure that you are on track to graduate, meet with your guidance counsellor several times throughout your high school career.
Group 1:
Group 2:
Group 3:
English or French as a Second Language**
Native Language
Classical or International Language
Social Sciences and the Humanities
Canadian and world studies
Guidance and Career Education
Cooperative Education***
Physical Education
Arts
Business Studies
French as a Second Language
Cooperative Education***
Science (Grade 11 or 12)
Technological Education
French as a Second Language**
Computer Studies
Cooperative Education***
In addition to the compulsory credits, students must complete:
12 elective/optional credits†
40 hours of community involvement activities (20hrs for 2020/2021 grads)
the provincial literacy requirement
*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.
**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.
†The 12 optional credits may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit courses.
SOURCE: Ontario Ministry of Education (2014)
Community Involvement Hours
NEW for Pandemic Reasons
The Ministry of Education has reduced the required hours of Community Involvement for students graduating in the 2020/2021 school year. For this year, graduating students only need to complete 20 hours of community involvement. This action demonstrates that graduating students have had barriers to earning their community involvement hours last year and will continue to have barriers this year.
We know that many students want to volunteer and support their community in any way that they can. The OCDSB supports our students in their never-ending generosity in supporting local and broader community needs. Of course, during this challenging time, we want to ensure that students are volunteering in a safe way; following directions from Ottawa Public Health.
Why do we engage in Volunteering?
The purpose of engaging in community involvement is to encourage students to develop an awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play and the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities. There has never been a time of more need in our community.
Community Involvement hours must fall into one of these categories
Not-for-profit: includes voluntary activities for any not-for-profit institution or foundation that would not displace a paid worker.
For-profit: includes voluntary activities that are charitable-based for any business or organization that would not displace a paid worker. If volunteers are enhancing a product/service being sold/provided by a for-profit business designed to make it more attractive and/or a better experience for clients, then it is not in keeping with the spirit of community service and would not be an approved activity.
Other: community support that you feel warrants consideration. In this case, please submit a brief written summary that explains how this experience meets the spirit and expectations of community involvement as identified above.
If students are considering any of the activities that would fall into the second or third category above, approval by the principal or a designate at your high school is required.
Submitting your hours
Please remember to seek your Principal's approval before beginning any community involvement activity that you wish to use for the Community Involvement hours required for your OSSD. OCDSB is students to submit their hours using this Google Form. This form requires the same information as the traditional paper form. Volunteer supervisors may be contacted to verify the hours in place of the signature that is required on the paper form.
Sharing your experiences
We would love you to share your experience supporting your community during this challenging time. Share your experiences on social media by tagging OCDSB and using the hashtag #OCDSBVolunteers as a way to not only document our collective journey, but to give others ideas on how they too can support their friends, neighbours and communities!
Discover Volunteer Opportunities
Here are a few organizations that coordinate or are seeking volunteers in the Ottawa area. Additionally, some suggestions are provided. Please consult your school’s website for your local community's needs.
Ways to engage virtually with your community
Sewing masks for front line workers
Writing letters of support for front line service worker
Writing letters to people in seniors residences
Engaging online with seniors residences and child centers
Providing virtual academic and/or language development support in an online environment for students
Supporting neighbours in need by cutting grass, shovelling snow, running errands
Virtually Teaching others a skill you’ve learned during this time at home
Online Reading Buddies for younger students or students practicing their English or French language skills
Virtual faith-based activities