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Graduation Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) Requirements

Chart with list of graduation requirements organized by grade
*If you are looking for information on how to opt out of the eLearning requirement, please visit our Online Learning Opt Out Form page.
 

Community Involvement

  • The graduation requirement includes 40 hours of community involvement activities.
  • If a student accumulated hours during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day, or duties normally performed in the home (e.g., walking a younger child to and from school, helping younger siblings with school work) before September 1, 2023, they may be eligible to earn hours towards this requirement.
  • A student aged 14 years and older can count up to a maximum of 10 hours from paid employment towards their earned hours only if completed before September 1, 2023. Students counting paid employment earned before September 1, 2023 towards their graduation requirement will be required to complete a reflection exercise indicating how their work contributed to the service for others (form is also posted below for download).
 
  • Secondary school staff will discuss appropriate types of Community Involvement activities and projects with students and may offer suggestions, but the selection and management of the involvement is to be directed by the student.
  • Students must receive pre-approval for volunteer activities from the Principal or designate.
  • Activities may take place inside or outside the school. If inside, activities may not be part of a credit program.
  • The student may not displace a worker who would normally have been paid to perform the same function or receive pay.
  • Community Involvement may begin in the summer after Grade 8.
  • For volunteer opportunities check with your guidance department or 211 Huron Perth.
  • Students can use this form to record their community involvement hours - Community Involvement Report (form for students)
 
Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC)
Ontario Secondary School Certificate will be granted, on request, to students who are leaving school upon reaching the age of 18 without earning the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. (OS, section 6.3) A student must have earned:
  • 2 English
  • 1 Canadian Geography or Canadian History
  • 1 Mathematics
  • 1 Science
  • 1 Health and Physical Education
  • 1 Arts, Computer Studies or Technological Education
  • 7 optional credits selected by the student from available courses

Certificate of Accomplishment

Students who leave school upon reaching the age of 18 without having met the requirements for the OSSD or OSSC may be granted a Certificate of Accomplishment. This certificate is a useful means of recognizing achievement for students who plan to continue certain kinds of training or find employment.
A student may return to school and take additional credit and non-credit courses and have their transcript (OST) updated. A new certificate will not be awarded, but an OSSD or OSSC will be granted when the returning student has fulfilled the requirements. (OS, section 6.4)