OSSD Requirements

18 compulsory credits

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

• 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 18 compulsory credits 

• 1 Group 1 credit from one of the following areas: • English or French as a second language • a Native language • First Nations, Metis, and Inuit studies • a classical or international language • social sciences and the humanities • Canadian and world studies • guidance and career education • cooperative education

• 1 Group 2 credit from one of the following areas: • health and physical education • the arts • business studies • French as a second language • cooperative education

• 1 Group 3 credit from one of the following areas: • science (Grade 11 or 12) • technological education • French as a second language • computer studies • cooperative education

In addition, students must complete: 

• 12 optional credits

• 2 e-Learning courses (opt-out option) 

• 40 hours of community involvement activities 

• The provincial literacy requirement

Please note:

• 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.

Graduation requirements have changed for students starting secondary school in fall 2024. Below are the new graduation requirements taking effect in September 2024 for students entering Grade 9 in fall 2024 and beyond.

17 compulsory credits

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

• 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 

• 1 credit in Grade 9 or 10 Technological Education (Beginning in the 2024/2025 cohort year)

• 0.5 credit in career studies 

• 0.5 credit in civics 18 compulsory credits 

• 1 STEM related credit from one of the following areas: • business studies • computer science • cooperative education • mathematics (in addition to the 3 required above) • science (in addition to the 2 required above) • technological education (in addition to the 1 required above)

In addition, students must complete: 

• 11 optional credits

• 2 e-Learning courses (opt-out option) 

• 40 hours of community involvement activities 

• The provincial literacy requirement

• The provincial financial literacy requirement

Please note:

• 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. 

• The 11 optional credits may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit courses.