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Canadian Learning Standards

Ontario Secondary School Standard Graduation Requirements

To earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, a student must:

  1. Earn 30 credits (18 compulsories and 12 optional credits)
  2. Complete 40 hours of community involvement activities
  3. Successfully complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test
  4. 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

30Credit hours

Plus, one credit from each of the following groups:

  1. 1 additional credit (group 1): additional credit in English, or French as a second language, or a Native language, or a classical or an international language, or social sciences and the humanities, or Canadian and world studies, or guidance and career education, or cooperative education
  2. 1 additional credit (group 2): additional credit in health and physical education, or the arts, or business studies, or French as a second language, or cooperative education
  3. 1 additional credit (group 3): additional credit in science (Grade 11 or 12), or technological education, or French as a second language, or computer studies, or cooperative education
  4. The 12 optional credits may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit courses.
  5. 12 Optional Credits
  6. In addition to the 18 compulsory credits, students must earn 12 optional credits. Students may earn these credits by successfully completing courses that they have selected from the courses available in the school course calendar.
  7. Compulsory and Optional Credits must equal a minimum of 30 credits