Graduation Requirements
Overview
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) Requirements
** For students who are graduating in the 2021-2022 school year, the Ontario Secondary School Literacy test is not a requirement for graduation.
Community Involvement
Students are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of mandatory Community Involvement prior to graduation.** For students who are graduating in the 2021-2022 school year:
- The graduation requirement has been lowered to a minimum of 20 hours of community involvement activities.
- At the principal’s discretion, schools may waive the restrictions that do not allow students to earn 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).
- Students aged 14 years and older can count up to a maximum of 10 hours from paid employment towards their earned hours at the discretion of the principal. Students counting paid employment towards their graduation requirement will be required to complete a reflection exercise indicating how their work contributed to the service for others.
Normally:
- An indication of completion will be entered on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript when the 40 hours have been submitted.
- 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:
- 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:
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)
- 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)