Compulsory Credits

A total of eighteen (18) course credits must be obtained from the following courses in order for a student to qualify for their Ontario Secondary School Diploma:

  • 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)

  • 3 credits in Mathematics (1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)

  • 2 credits in Science

  • 1 credit in Canadian History

  • 1 credit in Canadian Geography

  • 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

+1 credit each from the following groups:

  • Group 1: 1 additional credit in English*, or French as a Second Language** or a Native language, a Classical or an International language, or Social Sciences and the Humanities, or Canadian and World Studies, or Guidance and Career Education, or Cooperative Education***

  • Group 2: 1 additional credit in Health and Physical Education, or the Arts, or Business Studies, or French as a Second Language** or Cooperative Education***

  • Group 3: 1 additional credit in Science (Grade 11 or 12), or Technological Education, or French as a Second Language** or Computer Studies, or 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. However, the fourth must be a credit that is 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 will also be counted as compulsory credits.

Elective Credits

A total of twelve (12) elective course credits are also required and may be selected based on a student’s individual interests, strengths and goals. It is advisable to select these courses in consultation with parents, teachers, counsellors and administrators.

Up to four (4) of these elective credits may be earned through approved dual-credit courses, combining Compulsory and Optional courses.