Ontario Secondary School Diploma

One must also earn 1 credit from each of the following three areas:[3]

• Group 1: 1 additional credit in a second language (either French or English), an aboriginal language, a classical or 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 cooperative education*. As of March 2010, 1 additional credit in a second language (either French or English) can be used instead**.
• Group 3: 1 additional credit in science in Grade 11 or 12, or technological education, computer studies, or cooperative education*. As of March 2010, 1 additional credit in a second language (either French or English) can be used instead.**

Note that *, only 2 credits in cooperative education can be counted as compulsory credits, and that **, only 2 additional second language (either French or English) credits can be counted as compulsory: one in group 1, or one in either group 2 or group 3.

In addition, students must also have completed:

• 12 optional credits (4 of which may be obtained through approved dual-credit courses and coop),
• 40 hours of community service,
• meet the provincial secondary school literacy requirement.

Note that a student can receive their community service from the start of Grade 9 (including the summer between Grade 8 and 9) until the April of grade 12, with summer break and weekends included.

The provincial secondary school literacy requirement can be met through passing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test with a score of 75.0% or above. If one fails the Literacy Test, they must rewrite the test the following school year, or complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC 3O or 4O) in grade 11 or 12.

In Grade 9 and 10 (years 1 and 2, respectively), a student must complete 16 credits in total, 8 each year. In Grade 11 and 12 (Year 3 and 4, respectively), one must complete the 14 remaining credits, with no less than 6 attempted credits each year in accordance with compulsory education law. In total, 30 credits must be achieved. One can stay in high school until all 30 credits are achieved, or to obtain any additional or required credits for post-secondary admission.