Graduation Requirements

Ontario Graduation Requirements

Students are responsible for knowing their credit totals and diploma requirements. Learn what you need to earn for your OSSD with this Ministry of Education link.

30 credits

18 Compulsory credits

○ 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

○ 1 credit in Group 1: French, another language, social science and humanities, Canadian and

world studies, guidance and career education or Co-op.

○ 1 credit in Group 2: health and physical education, the arts, business studies, French or Co-op

○ 1 credit in Group 3: science, technological education, French, computer studies or Co-op


12 optional credits


NEW: 2 of the 30 credits required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) must be

obtained as e-Learning credits. This requirement applies only to students who entered Grade 9

on or after September 1, 2020. Students who wish to withdraw/opt out of this new requirement

can still graduate with an OSSD. Completion of the TDSB Form for Opting Out of e-Learning

Graduation is required and should be forwarded to the student's guidance counsellor.

  • Please note, that virtual synchronous learning that took place during the pandemic does NOT meet this requirement. E-Learning is delivered asynchronously and involves students working independently without daily teacher instruction.

40 volunteer hours

● Students must submit their 40 hours of community service before the the end of April in the year in

which they plan to graduate.

Literacy requirement – OSSLT or OLC

● The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is written in Grade 10.

● Students who are not successful in the OSSLT will be required to complete the Ontario Literacy Course (OLC) in Grade 12.

Students must complete all of these requirements by June of their graduating year in order to walk across the stage at Commencement.