Diploma Requirements

Students must earn the following 18 compulsory credits to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

• 4 credits in English

• 3 credits in mathematics

• 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

Plus one credit from each of the following groups:

• 1 additional credit in English, or French as a second language*, or a Native language, or a classical or an international language, or a social sciences and the humanities, or Canadian and world studies, or guidance and career education, or cooperative education*

• 1 additional credit in health and physical education, or the arts, or business studies, or cooperative education*, or French as a second language*

• 1 additional credit in science, or technological education, or cooperative education*, or French as a second language*

In addition to compulsory credits, students must complete:

• 12 optional credits

• 40 hours of community involvement activities

• Ontario Secondary School Literary Test

*A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education and French as a second language can count as compulsory credits.

The Ontario Ministry of Education has introduced a new graduation requirement for secondary students to complete two e-Learning credits as part of the 30 credits required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). It applies only to students who entered Grade 9 on or after September 1, 2020 which means that they are now in Grade 9 or Grade 10. 

Students may withdraw/opt out of this new requirement and graduate with an OSSD (details below).

Students working towards an Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC) or a Certificate of Accomplishment (CoA) are not required to complete this new graduation requirement. Students who are completing an OSSC or CoA may choose to enrol in e-Learning courses.

Online learning supports the development of digital literacy and other transferable skills that will help prepare students for success after graduation. Secondary schools will communicate directly with students and parents/caregivers (including incoming Grade 9 students) in the near future to provide information about which courses will be available through e-Learning for the 2022-23 school year and how to enrol. 

e-Learning Credit Course

e-Learning credit courses are delivered using an asynchronous model, which includes digital content such as readings, videos, blogs, commentaries, and online discussion boards. Students complete the assigned work independently and teachers provide ongoing support for student learning through exemplars, rubrics, tutorials and individual conferences. Evaluation is continuous throughout the course with the teacher providing descriptive feedback.

Opting-Out of the e-Learning Graduation Requirement

Students may withdraw from the online e-Learning requirement. A parent/caregiver/guardian or student (18 years of age or older or 16 or 17 years of age and withdrawn from parental control) may withdraw by submitting the TDSB Opt Out/Withdrawl Form to their school. No explanation or reason is needed to opt out/withdraw.

E-Learning courses will be available in the 2023-2024 school year. If you are not ready to make a decision with regard to participating in e-Learning, there will be future opportunities to participate in e-Learning courses or withdraw from the graduation requirement. A final decision is not required at this time.

If you have decided now to withdraw from the graduation requirement, please complete the TDSB Opt Out/Withdrawal Form and return it to your school.

For more information regarding the online learning requirement, please click on this link Diploma/Online-Learning Requirement 

Community Involvement Hours

Student’s Guide to Community Involvement

What is Community Involvement?

• An event or activity designed to be of benefit to the community

• A graduation requirement for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma

• Total of 40 hours of community involvement activities **

• A volunteer activity – not for pay or credit

• A constructive contribution to the community  

Why has the Ministry of Education mandated it?

• Reinforces civic responsibility

• Strengthens the community

• Enhances one’s self-confidence and self-image

• Offers networking for future employment

• Provides an experience for students to include in their portfolios  

When must students complete it?

• Any time during the secondary school program, beginning the summer before students enter grade 9, and prior to graduation

• Outside class hours, for example:

• during lunch breaks

• in the evening

• on weekends

• during school breaks

• during the summer months  

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** Schools are responsible for recording 40 hours in the student’s profile.   Students will track any hours that are accumulated beyond the 40 hour requirement.  

It is at the school’s discretion to input hours beyond the 40 hour requirement. 

COMMUNITY HOURS ACTIVITY FORM