Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

What You Need to Graduate

If you started Grade 9 in or before Fall 2023

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 (at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
  • 3 credits for group 1, 2 and 3 courses (1 credit in each group)
  • 2 credits in science
  • 1 credit in Canadian history (Grade 10)
  • 1 credit in Canadian geography (Grade 9)
  • 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 and citizenship

In addition, students must complete:

  • 12 optional credits
  • 40 hours of community involvement activities
  • the provincial literacy requirement
  • at least 2 online learning credits

3 credits for group 1, 2 and 3 courses (1 credit in each group)

Group 1:

  • English or French as a second language**
  • a Native language
  • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit studies
  • a classical studies and international language
  • social sciences and the humanities
  • Canadian and world studies
  • guidance and career education
  • cooperative education***

Group 2:

  • health and physical education
  • the arts
  • business studies
  • French as a second language**
  • cooperative education***

Group 3:

  • science (Grade 11 or 12)
  • technological education
  • French as a second language**
  • computer studies
  • cooperative education***

* 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.

 

Literacy Requirement

Students are required to meet the Ontario Ministry of Education’s provincial literacy standard in order to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The literacy requirement can be fulfilled in one of two ways: successfully passing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test or completing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O). Since the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has recently launched the test in a new format that is not yet available to remote learners, Virtual High School currently only offers the OLC4O course.

What does this mean for graduating students at NBHS?

Students who plan to earn the OSSD at NBHS are encouraged to enroll in the OLC4O course to fulfill their literacy requirement. (If a student has already passed the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test at a previous high school, this will satisfy the requirement and be reflected on their transcript. They will not need to take OLC4O.)
Students must have completed Grade 9 English prior to taking the OLC4O course.
The OLC4O course will also count as one credit toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
Note: Students currently enrolled in another Ontario school should confirm their eligibility with their main school before registering for OLC4O at Virtual High School.

Community Involvement Hours

The community involvement requirement is intended to encourage students to positively contribute to their community by engaging in a minimum of 40 hours of unpaid service. Through volunteering, students can gain an awareness of their civic responsibility, impact the lives of those around them, and explore future career opportunities.

Students graduating with NBHS will be provided with a Community Involvement Guide and a tracking sheet to record their hours. Our Guidance Team is also happy to assist students with choosing suitable activities in their local communities!

If you started Grade 9 in Fall 2024 and after

Note: Starting in September 2025, you must earn a new financial literacy graduation requirement as part of your compulsory Grade 10 mathematics course. You will need to achieve a mark of 70% or higher to pass this new requirement and earn your high school diploma.

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 (Grade 9, Grade 10 and 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
  • 2 credits in science
  • 1 credit in technological education (Grade 9 or Grade 10)
  • 1 credit in Canadian history (Grade 10)
  • 1 credit in Canadian geography (Grade 9)
  • 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 and citizenship
  • 1 credit from the STEM-related course group

1 credit must be from STEM-related course groups:

  • business studies
  • computer studies
  • cooperative education
  • mathematics (in addition to the 3 compulsory credits currently required)
  • science (in addition to the 2 compulsory credits currently required)
  • technological education (in addition to the 1 compulsory credit required)

In addition, students must complete:

  • 13 optional credits
  • 40 hours of community involvement activities
  • the provincial literacy requirement
  • at least 2 online learning credits

Compulsory Credits

Optional credits

You must earn 13 optional credits by successfully completing courses from your school’s program and course calendar.

Optional credits may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit programs.