Students need to complete a certain number of courses, do community service hours, and pass a literacy test.

To graduate from high school and receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) students must:

• Earn 30 credits – 18 credits are compulsory. This means that students must take these 18 courses from a list of required subjects. The remaining 12 credits are optional. Students choose their optional courses from the full range of courses that their school offers.
• Pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) or Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC).
• Complete 40 hours of community involvement (volunteer work).

The high school program is based on a credit system. Students get 1 credit for every 110-hour course successfully completed.

Although students may take 8 credits per year and complete secondary school in four years, many students take a fifth year or an additional semester. Extending their studies this way allows them to take fewer courses each year (or explore their interest in other school subjects.) Some students take more courses than necessary or take courses during the summer and finish faster.

Get more information about high school graduation requirements.