Ontario Ministry of Education
OSSD Requirements
A complete breakdown of what every student needs to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma — credits, community hours, the literacy requirement, and online learning credits.
30
Total credits required
18
Compulsory credits
12
Optional credits
40 hrs
Community involvement
Step 1 of 3
18 Compulsory Credits
These subjects are mandatory for all Ontario students. The 18 compulsory credits cover the core areas below — students must earn credits in each specific subject area listed.
| Subject Area | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | One per grade (9–12); Grade 12 must be university or college preparation |
| Mathematics | 3 | One must be from Grade 11 or 12 |
| Science | 2 | Includes one Grade 9 or 10 Science |
| Canadian History | 1 | Grade 10 |
| Canadian Geography | 1 | Grade 9 |
| Arts | 1 | Visual arts, music, drama, or dance |
| Health & Physical Education | 1 | |
| French as a Second Language | 1 | Core French, Grade 9 |
| Career Studies | 0.5 | Grade 10, half-credit |
| Civics & Citizenship | 0.5 | Grade 10, half-credit |
| Group 1 elective | 1 | English, French as a Second Language, a Native language, Classical or International language, Social Sciences & Humanities, Canadian & World Studies, Guidance & Career Education, or Cooperative Education |
| Group 2 elective | 1 | Health & Physical Education, The Arts, Business Studies, or Cooperative Education |
| Group 3 elective | 1 | Science (Grade 11 or 12), Technological Education, Computer Studies, or Cooperative Education |
| Total compulsory | 18 |
Step 2 of 3
12 Optional Credits
Students choose 12 additional credits from any Ministry-approved courses. Optional credits give students the flexibility to explore electives, upgrade marks, pursue a specific university prerequisite, or add courses relevant to their career path.
- Any Grade 9–12 Ministry-approved course
- Can be used to upgrade a previously earned credit
- Co-operative Education credits may count (limits apply)
- Dual credits from college may be eligible
Not sure which optional courses you need?
Use the free credit checker below — walk through your student's completed subjects and get an instant gap estimate right on this page.
Free OSSD CalculatorTakes about 2 minutes · No sign-up required
Free tool
Free OSSD Calculator
Takes about 2 minutes · No sign-up required
When did the student start Grade 9?
Ontario graduation requirements depend on when the student started Grade 9. If you are unsure, CanadianGrad Academy can confirm the correct pathway during transcript review.
Live audit:
0.0/18 compulsory0/12 optional0/30 total30 credits may be missingStep 1 of 4
Check Compulsory Credits
Students need 18 compulsory credits across the subject areas below. Mark each subject area for this student.
Ministry requirement
| Subject area | Cr. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | One per grade, 9–12 |
| Mathematics | 3 | One must be Grade 11 or 12 |
| Science | 2 | Includes Grade 9 or 10 |
| Canadian History | 1 | Grade 10 |
| Canadian Geography | 1 | Grade 9 |
| Arts | 1 | Visual, music, drama, or dance |
| Health & Physical Education | 1 | |
| French as a Second Language | 1 | Core French |
| Career Studies | 0.5 | Half-credit |
| Civics & Citizenship | 0.5 | Half-credit |
| Group 1 Elective | 1 | English, FSL, Social Sciences, etc. |
| Group 2 Elective | 1 | Arts, HPE, Business, etc. |
| Group 3 Elective | 1 | Science (Gr 11/12), Tech Ed, etc. |
| Total compulsory | 18 |
What has this student completed?
English (4 cr)
Not answeredGrade 9 English
ENG1D / ENG1P
Grade 10 English
ENG2D / ENG2P
Grade 11 English
ENG3U / ENG3C / ENG3E
Grade 12 English
ENG4U / ENG4C / ENG4E
Mathematics (3 cr)
Not answeredGrade 9 Mathematics
MTH1W / MFM1P
Grade 10 Mathematics
MPM2D / MFM2P
Grade 11 or 12 Mathematics
Must be a senior Math credit
Science (2 cr)
Not answeredScience — Credit 1
Grade 9 or 10 Science
Science — Credit 2
Any Ministry-approved Science
Canadian History (1 cr)
Not answeredCanadian History
CHC2D / CHC2P — Grade 10
Canadian Geography (1 cr)
Not answeredCanadian Geography
CGC1D / CGC1P — Grade 9
Arts (1 cr)
Not answeredArts
Visual arts, music, drama, or dance
Health & Physical Education (1 cr)
Not answeredHealth & Physical Education
PPL1O / PPL2O
French as a Second Language (1 cr)
Not answeredFrench as a Second Language
FSF1D / FSF1O
Career Studies (0.5 cr)
Not answeredCareer Studies
GLC2O — half-credit
Civics & Citizenship (0.5 cr)
Not answeredCivics & Citizenship
CHV2O — half-credit
Group 1 Elective (1 cr)
Not answeredGroup 1 Elective
English, FSL, Social Sciences, Guidance, or Co-op Ed
Group 2 Elective (1 cr)
Not answeredGroup 2 Elective
Arts, HPE, Business Studies, or Co-op Ed
Group 3 Elective (1 cr)
Not answeredGroup 3 Elective
Science (Gr 11/12), Tech Ed, Computer Studies, or Co-op Ed
Courses that may be missing
Grade 9 English
ENG1D / ENG1P
Grade 10 English
ENG2D / ENG2P
Grade 11 English
ENG3U / ENG3C / ENG3E
Grade 12 English
ENG4U / ENG4C / ENG4E
Grade 9 Mathematics
MTH1W / MFM1P
Grade 10 Mathematics
MPM2D / MFM2P
Grade 11 or 12 Mathematics
Must be a senior Math credit
Science — Credit 1
Grade 9 or 10 Science
Science — Credit 2
Any Ministry-approved Science
Canadian History
CHC2D / CHC2P — Grade 10
Canadian Geography
CGC1D / CGC1P — Grade 9
Arts
Visual arts, music, drama, or dance
Health & Physical Education
PPL1O / PPL2O
French as a Second Language
FSF1D / FSF1O
Career Studies
GLC2O — half-credit
Civics & Citizenship
CHV2O — half-credit
Group 1 Elective
English, FSL, Social Sciences, Guidance, or Co-op Ed
Group 2 Elective
Arts, HPE, Business Studies, or Co-op Ed
Group 3 Elective
Science (Gr 11/12), Tech Ed, Computer Studies, or Co-op Ed
Step 2 of 4
Check Optional Credits
Students need 12 optional credits on top of compulsory requirements — any Ministry-approved Grade 9–12 courses.
Ministry requirement
Any Ministry-approved course
Grade 9–12 courses from any subject area count as optional credits.
Upgrade credits count
If a student retakes a course to improve their mark, the credit still counts.
Co-op Education
Co-operative Education credits may count toward optional credits (limits apply).
Dual credits
Some college courses taken during high school may be eligible as dual credits.
Optional credits are often the fastest way to close a graduation gap. CGA can help identify courses that fit the student's timeline and pathway.
Student's optional credits
How many optional / elective credits has the student completed?
Count any Grade 9–12 courses not listed in the compulsory section above.
0
of 12 required
Optional credits completed: 0
Optional credits possibly still needed: 12
Step 3 of 4
Check Additional Graduation Requirements
Beyond the 30 credits, students must also satisfy these requirements before an OSSD can be granted.
Community Involvement — 40 Hours
Students must complete 40 hours of approved community involvement activities outside regular school hours before the OSSD is granted.
How many hours has the student completed?
Literacy Requirement (OSSLT)
Students must pass the OSSLT administered by EQAO, or complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC — ENG4C) if eligible.
Has the student completed this?
Needs transcript review
Online Learning Credits — 2 Required
Students must earn at least 2 online learning credits as part of their 30 total credits. All CanadianGrad Academy courses are fully online and count toward this requirement.
How many online credits has the student completed?
Admissions can confirm
Financial Literacy Requirement
Students starting Grade 9 in 2024–25 or later may have a financial literacy graduation requirement. If your student started Grade 9 before 2024, this requirement likely does not apply.
Has the student completed this, if applicable?
Needs transcript review
Step 4 of 4
Get Your Graduation Plan
Enter your details so CanadianGrad Academy can send your graduation plan and confirm the fastest pathway to an OSSD.
Your audit so far
International students pay a $200 support & compliance fee per course, shown in your course recommendations.
By submitting, you consent to CanadianGrad Academy contacting you with a graduation plan and course recommendations. We do not share your information with third parties.
Step 3 of 3
Additional Requirements
Beyond the 30 credits, students must meet these requirements before an OSSD can be granted.
40 Hours Community Involvement
Students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities outside of regular school hours. Activities must be approved and documented.
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)
Students must successfully complete the OSSLT administered by EQAO, or earn the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC — ENG4C) if they have been deemed eligible.
Online Learning Credits
Students must earn at least two online learning credits as part of their 30 total credits to graduate with an OSSD.
Minimum Enrollment Period
There is a minimum enrollment period students must meet to graduate with CanadianGrad Academy. Contact admissions for details specific to your student's situation.
CanadianGrad Academy
How CGA fits in
CGA is an Ontario private school (BSID: 668458), inspected by the Ministry of Education. Our courses are aligned to Ontario curriculum expectations and credits earned count toward the OSSD.
Families should always confirm their student's credit status and pathway planning using official sources and CGA admissions guidance — especially for post-secondary applications and mark-transmission to day schools or OUAC/OCAS.
Common questions about CGA credits
Will CGA send marks to OUAC or OCAS?
CGA can provide report cards and transcripts. Mark transmission steps depend on the student's situation — contact admissions for guidance.
Can I upgrade a mark at CGA?
Yes. Students can retake or upgrade courses to improve a previous mark. The new grade replaces the old one for transcript purposes.
Do CGA courses count as online learning credits?
Yes. Courses taken at CGA satisfy the two online learning credit requirement for the OSSD.
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