Every student who aspires to graduate from high school and enter college must be aware of the requirements for OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma). This diploma is a very important document because it proves that you have completed all the courses and have acquired the necessary competencies to pursue a degree in college/university or enter the workplace. So, what are the main requirements for OSSD?
30 credits
In order to graduate and get the diploma, you need to earn 30 credit courses. You can take the courses between grades 9 and 12. Those 30 credits are divided into two: compulsory and optional credits. Eighteen are compulsory and the remaining 12 are optional.
The 18 compulsory credits are completed by taking the following courses:
- 4 credits in English
- 3 credits in Mathematics (3 credits, 1 credit must be in Grade 11 or 12)
- 2 credits in Science
- 1 credit in Canadian History
- 1 credit in Canadian Geography
- 1 credit in Arts
- 1 credit in Health and Physical Education
- 1 credit in French as a Second Language
- 5 credit in Career Studies
- 5 credit in Civics
- 1 credit from Group 1 courses
- 1 credit from Group 2 courses
- 1 credit from Group 3 courses
The remaining 3 compulsory credits are equivalent to 3 courses. Students have to choose one from every subject group created by OSSD. You can access them on the organization’s official website.
As for the 12 optional credits, students are given the freedom to choose whatever courses to take. They can select any course available in their schools based on their interests.
40 hours of community involvement
Aside from the 30 credits, students also need to complete 10 hours of community service every year for four years. That will be a total of 40 hours of community involvement activities.
Passing score on Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)
Another important requirement for OSSD is a passing score in the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Those who fail to successfully complete the OSSLT can get another chance at the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O).