An Ontario Scholar is a student who earns an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and at least 480 marks across six Grade 12 credits, which works out to an 80% average. Under the Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum 53, any mix of Grade 12 university, university/college, college, workplace or open courses can count, and the courses do not have to be completed in one school year.
Key Highlights of Ontario Scholar
- The rule is 480 marks, not “80% in every course”. Your six best eligible Grade 12 credits must add up to 480 or more, so one mark below 80 can be offset by stronger marks elsewhere.
- More course types count than most students expect. Grade 12 U, M, C, E and O courses, related co-op courses and approved dual credits are all eligible.
- Timing is flexible. Courses can be spread over more than one school year, and summer school results can be reported for the award.
- You can only be named an Ontario Scholar once, and you must be recommended for the OSSD in the current or previous school year.
- It is a recognition, not an admission average. Ontario universities calculate their own averages from 4U and 4M courses and program prerequisites.
Introduction
Many Grade 12 students first hear “Ontario Scholar” at their high school graduation ceremony without knowing exactly how it is earned. School-board pages usually summarize it in a single line, and some summaries leave out details that change who qualifies, such as which course types count or what happens when you take more than six Grade 12 courses.
This guide is based on the Ministry of Education’s own policy, Policy/Program Memorandum 53 on the Ontario Scholar program. It explains the two requirements, shows how the average is calculated with a worked example, covers private, online and summer school students, and clears up how the award differs from honour roll and from university admission averages.
What Is an Ontario Scholar?
An Ontario Scholar is a graduating secondary school student who has been designated by their school under the Ontario Scholar Program. The program is set out in PPM 53, issued by the Ministry of Education on April 14, 2009, and still in effect. The province’s Ontario Schools policy on diploma and certificate requirements describes it as a program that recognizes students who have earned an OSSD and reached the required mark total.
A student who is designated receives an Ontario Scholar certificate. PPM 53 describes the certificate; it does not describe a cash award, so families should not expect a payment from the province for this designation.
PPM 53 applies to school boards and also to principals of inspected private schools. Students at Ministry-inspected private schools, such as USCA Academy, are therefore covered by the same rules.
Ontario Scholar Requirements: The Two Conditions
According to PPM 53, a student may be designated an Ontario Scholar if both of these are true:
- Marks: the student obtains an aggregate of at least 480 marks in any combination of ministry-approved courses that provide a total of six credits.
- Diploma: the student has been recommended by the principal for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma in either the current school year or the previous school year.
Because six credits multiplied by 80 equals 480, the first condition is the same as an 80% average across six credits.
The diploma condition matters as much as the marks. To be recommended for the OSSD, a student needs 30 credits (see how many credits you need to graduate high school in Ontario), must meet the literacy requirement, usually through the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), and must complete 40 hours of community involvement activities.
Which Courses Count Toward the Ontario Scholar Average?
PPM 53 lists the “ministry-approved courses” that can be used. Every Grade 12 course and its type is listed in the Ministry’s Ontario course descriptions and prerequisites, which is the easiest way to confirm a course’s level.
| Counts | Details |
|---|---|
| Grade 12 university preparation (U) | For example ENG4U, MHF4U, SBI4U, HSB4U |
| Grade 12 university/college preparation (M) | For example BOH4M and BAT4M |
| Grade 12 college preparation (C) | For example MAP4C |
| Grade 12 workplace preparation (E) | Grade 12 E-level courses |
| Grade 12 open (O) | For example OLC4O |
| Locally developed courses approved by the ministry | Grade 12 level |
| Co-operative education | Only co-op courses related to any of the courses above |
| Dual credit courses | In college-delivered dual credit programs approved by the ministry |
| OACs | Historical Ontario Academic Courses only |
If you are unsure how the course levels differ, our guide to 4U vs 4M courses in Ontario explains what each letter means.
Two subject limits also apply:
- You may count English (for English-language schools) or English for French-language schools, but not both.
- You may count French as a second language or français, but not both.
PPM 53 also allows standing from a conservatory or school of music, as defined in the music-certificate policy, to be considered.
How to Calculate Your Ontario Scholar Average
PPM 53 sets three calculation rules:
- Each course mark is multiplied by the credit value of the course. A full-credit course counts once; a half-credit course counts as half.
- If you have more than six eligible Grade 12 credits, the highest marks are used.
- The total must reach at least 480 marks for six credits.
Step-by-step method
- List every eligible Grade 12 course you have completed, with its final mark and credit value.
- Sort the marks from highest to lowest.
- Take the top six credits’ worth of marks and multiply each by its credit value.
- Add them up. If the total is 480 or more, you meet the marks condition.
Worked example
| Course | Final mark | Used? |
|---|---|---|
| MDM4U | 90 | Yes |
| SBI4U | 88 | Yes |
| HSB4U | 85 | Yes |
| ENG4U | 84 | Yes |
| MCV4U | 81 | Yes |
| MHF4U | 78 | Yes |
| SCH4U | 76 | No (seventh-highest) |
Total of the six highest marks: 90 + 88 + 85 + 84 + 81 + 78 = 506. That is above 480, so this student meets the marks condition even though two courses are below 80%.
If the same student had only taken six Grade 12 courses, including the 76 instead of the 90, the total would be 492. That would still qualify. This is why “80% in every course” is a common but incorrect description.
Edge Cases Most Summaries Miss
Courses from more than one year. PPM 53 states that a student need not complete the courses in one school year. Grade 12 courses taken in Grade 11 or in an extra year can count, as long as the diploma condition is met.
Summer school. PPM 53 tells principals to report the award for students who qualified by attending summer school. If a summer school course in Mississauga pushes your total over 480, it can make the difference.
Private, online and night school courses. Marks from Ontario credit courses appear on your Ontario Student Transcript. Because the school that recommends your OSSD reports the designation, ask your guidance office how marks from courses completed at another school will be included.
Earlier recipients. A student who has already been named an Ontario Scholar cannot receive it a second time.
Ontario Scholar vs Honour Roll vs University Admission Average
These three are often confused, but they are calculated differently.
| Ontario Scholar | Honour roll | University admission average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who sets the rules | Ministry of Education (PPM 53) | Each school board or school | Each university and program |
| Courses used | Best six Grade 12 credits from U, M, C, E, O, approved co-op and dual credit | Varies by school, often a single year or term | Usually six Grade 12 U or M courses including program prerequisites |
| Threshold | 480 marks over six credits | Varies | Varies by program and year |
| Result | Ministry certificate | School recognition | Admission decision and, at some universities, entrance scholarships |
The practical takeaway: a student can be an Ontario Scholar using college or open courses that a university would not include, and a student can miss the Ontario Scholar designation while still meeting a university’s requirements. For the university side, see how to calculate your Ontario university admission average.
How to Improve Your Chances Before Graduation
- Plan for more than six Grade 12 courses. The highest six count, so an extra course from the Grade 12 courses available at USCA Academy that you enjoy and do well in can lift your total.
- Use evening study strategically. A Grade 12 credit taken through night school in Mississauga can add an eligible mark without overloading your day timetable.
- Keep university averages in mind at the same time. If you are applying to university, focus first on the 4U and 4M courses your program requires. Our guide to calculating your top 6 courses for Ontario university admission explains how universities count them.
- Confirm your OSSD progress early. The designation depends on being recommended for the diploma, so review your credits, literacy requirement and community involvement hours well before June.
Conclusion
The Ontario Scholar designation comes down to two checks: you are recommended for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, and your best six eligible Grade 12 credits total at least 480 marks. Because more course types and more than one school year can count, many students qualify who assume they will not.
If you are planning your Grade 12 year, map your courses early, compare options such as summer and night school, and speak with your guidance counsellor about which marks your school will report.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Do I need 80% in every course to be an Ontario Scholar?
No. You need a total of at least 480 marks across six Grade 12 credits. A mark below 80 can be balanced by higher marks in your other counted courses.
2.Do college, workplace or open courses count toward Ontario Scholar?
Yes. PPM 53 includes Grade 12 college preparation, workplace preparation and open courses, along with university and university/college preparation courses, related co-op courses and approved dual credits.
3.Can I combine Grade 12 courses from two school years?
Yes. PPM 53 says the courses do not need to be completed in one school year. You must still be recommended for the OSSD in the current or previous school year.
4.Does being an Ontario Scholar help with university admission?
Not directly. Universities calculate their own admission averages, usually from Grade 12 U and M courses including program prerequisites. The Ontario Scholar designation is a separate Ministry recognition.
5.Can students at private or online schools become Ontario Scholars?
Yes. PPM 53 applies to principals of inspected private schools as well as to school boards. The school that recommends your OSSD reports the designation, so confirm with that school how marks earned elsewhere are included.
6.Is there money attached to the Ontario Scholar award?
PPM 53 describes an Ontario Scholar certificate and does not describe a cash award. University entrance scholarships are separate and set by each university; see what percentage is required for a scholarship in Canada.
