The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is the official high school graduation credential issued by the Ontario Ministry of Education to students who complete 30 credits, 40 hours of community involvement, and the provincial literacy requirement. It's recognized by universities and colleges across Canada and internationally, and TutorLyft connects Ontario students with vetted tutors who can help with the specific courses and requirements needed to earn this diploma.
This guide walks you through exactly what the OSSD is, what you need to graduate, and how different paths to earning it work in practice.
What is the Ontario Secondary School Diploma
The OSSD is what you get when you finish high school in Ontario. The Ontario Ministry of Education issues it, but you won't receive it directly from them—it comes through your school, whether that's a publicly funded school board, an Ontario-inspected private school, or an approved online school.
Think of it as your official proof that you completed high school according to Ontario's standards. Universities and colleges across Canada recognize it, and so do post-secondary institutions in other countries. If you're planning to apply to university, college, or certain apprenticeship programs, you'll need this diploma.
Why the OSSD matters for university and college admission
Here's the thing: having an OSSD gets you in the door, but it doesn't guarantee you a spot in every program. Ontario universities and colleges require the diploma as a baseline, but each program has its own entrance requirements on top of that. You might have your OSSD but still not qualify for engineering if you didn't take the right math and science courses, or if your marks in those courses aren't high enough.
The OSSD opens a few specific doors:
- Ontario universities: You can't apply for undergraduate programs without it, and institutions like the University of Toronto, McMaster, Western, and Queen's require at least six Grade 12 courses in the "U" or "M" streams
- Ontario colleges: Most diploma and certificate programs won't consider you without it
- Apprenticeships and skilled trades: Many registrations in Ontario ask for the OSSD or something equivalent
Credit requirements for the OSSD
In Ontario, a credit means you took a course for a full semester or year and passed it with at least 50%. You need 30 credits total to graduate, and the province decides how many of those are compulsory versus elective.
| Credit type | Number required |
|---|---|
| Compulsory credits | 18 |
| Elective credits | 12 |
| Total credits | 30 |
Source: Ontario Ministry of Education
What counts as a compulsory credit
Compulsory credits are the courses the Ontario Ministry of Education says everyone has to take, no matter what you're planning to do after high school. Some subjects, like English, require more than one credit—you'll take English every year from Grade 9 through Grade 12, which adds up to four credits.
What counts as an elective credit
Elective credits are the courses you pick based on what interests you or what you'll need later. You could take courses in arts, technology, business, science, or languages. If you're aiming for a specific university program, choosing the right electives can help you meet those prerequisites.
Compulsory course breakdown
Every Ontario student in publicly funded schools and Ontario-inspected private schools completes the same core subjects. The Ontario Ministry of Education sets the list, so it's the same whether you're in Toronto, Thunder Bay, or anywhere in between.
English
You'll take English every year from Grade 9 to Grade 12, which means four credits. In Grade 12, you'll choose between ENG4U (university preparation) or ENG4C (college preparation), depending on where you're headed. English takes up more credits than any other compulsory subject.
Mathematics
You need three math credits, and at least one has to be from Grade 11 or Grade 12. In Grade 9, you'll choose between MPM1D (the academic stream) and MFM1P (the applied or essentials stream). That early choice can affect which math courses you're able to take in later years, so it's worth thinking ahead.
Science
Two science credits are required—one in Grade 9 and one in Grade 10. You can choose from biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and space science at each level. The province cares about the number of credits, not which science you pick.
Canadian geography and Canadian history
You'll take one credit of Canadian geography, usually in Grade 9, and one credit of Canadian history, usually in Grade 10. They're separate courses and you can't swap one for the other.
French as a second language
One French credit is required if you're in an English-language school. Students in French-language schools have a similar requirement for English.
Health and physical education
One credit in health and physical education, typically taken in Grade 9 or Grade 10.
The arts
One arts credit from drama, music, visual arts, or dance. You pick which one.
Civics and career studies
Two half-credit courses—Civics (CHV2O) and Career Studies (GLC2O)—together make up one full credit. A half-credit course runs for about one semester and is worth 0.5 credits instead of a full 1.0.
| Subject area | Credits required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Mathematics | 3 |
| Science | 2 |
| Canadian geography | 1 |
| Canadian history | 1 |
| French as a second language | 1 |
| Health and physical education | 1 |
| The arts | 1 |
| Civics and career studies | 1 (two half-credits) |
Source: Ontario Ministry of Education
Elective credits and SHSM options
The other 12 credits are yours to choose. You can take more science, dive into business courses, explore technology, or study another language—whatever fits your interests or your post-secondary plans.
There's also something called the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM), which is an optional program from the Ontario Ministry of Education. It lets you group your elective and compulsory credits around one sector, like health and wellness or construction. Finishing an SHSM adds a red seal to your diploma, but it's not required to graduate.
A few SHSM sectors you might see:
- Arts and culture
- Business
- Construction
- Environment
- Health and wellness
- Information and communications technology
- Transportation
Community involvement hours explained
You need 40 hours of unpaid volunteer work to graduate, and you complete it outside of school hours. Paid jobs don't count, and neither does work for a family member's business or anything you do as part of a course. You're responsible for finding opportunities and tracking your hours, though your school has to approve the activity before you start.
- What qualifies: Volunteering at a non-profit, community event, library, shelter, sports league, or religious organization
- What doesn't qualify: Paid work, court-ordered service, coursework, or helping out at a family business
- Who tracks it: You log the hours and submit proof to your school; each school board might handle the details a bit differently
Meeting the literacy requirement
The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is a province-wide test that checks if you can read and write at the level expected of a Grade 9 student in Ontario. The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) runs it, and most students write the test in Grade 10, with 86% of first-time eligible students passing. If you pass, you've met the literacy requirement.
If you don't pass the OSSLT, you can take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) instead. It's a full-credit course offered by most school boards, and passing it satisfies the literacy requirement just like passing the test does.
| Pathway | What it involves |
|---|---|
| OSSLT (test) | Province-wide test, typically written in Grade 10 |
| OSSLC (course) | A full-credit course for students who were eligible for but did not pass the OSSLT |
Source: EQAO
Paths to earn the OSSD
You don't have to follow one single path to finish your OSSD. Some students go straight through from Grade 9 to Grade 12, while others take courses at night, online, or come back to school as adults.
Day school in a public board
This is the most common route—you attend a publicly funded Ontario school full-time from Grade 9 to Grade 12, and your credits add up over four years.
Night school and summer school
Ontario school boards offer credit courses outside regular school hours. You can use these to earn credits faster or make up for courses you didn't pass the first time. They're Ministry-approved, not shortcuts.
Online independent learning
The Independent Learning Centre (ILC) and Ontario-inspected online private schools offer Ministry-approved credit courses you can complete at your own pace, and students who entered Grade 9 in 2020-21 and onward must complete at least two online learning credits. Credits earned online count the same way as classroom credits, as long as the school is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Private and international schools
Ontario-inspected private schools can issue the OSSD, and international students at those schools follow the same Ministry requirements. Not all private schools are inspected, so you can check the Ontario Ministry of Education's list before you enrol.
Adult and mature student programs
If you left school and you're coming back as an adult—typically 18 or older in Ontario—you can complete your OSSD through adult and continuing education programs run by school boards. Some of your prior learning might count toward credits.
OSSD vs GED, OSSC, and other diplomas
You might wonder if other credentials work the same way as the OSSD. The answer depends on what you're using the credential for.
| Credential | Issued by | Accepted for Ontario university admission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSSD | Ontario Ministry of Education (via inspected schools) | Yes | Ontario's standard high school diploma |
| Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC) | Ontario Ministry of Education | Generally no | For students who earn at least 14 credits but don't meet full OSSD requirements |
| GED (General Educational Development) | GED Testing Service | Varies by institution | Some Ontario colleges accept it; most universities ask for more |
| IB Diploma | International Baccalaureate Organization | Yes, widely | Can be earned alongside or instead of the OSSD at participating schools |
| Other provincial diplomas (e.g., BC Dogwood, Alberta High School Diploma) | Respective provincial ministries | Yes, generally | Ontario universities assess out-of-province students on equivalent credentials |
If you're not sure whether your credential will be accepted, contact the admissions office at the school you're applying to. Policies vary.
How tutoring supports your OSSD journey
Some parts of the OSSD can feel harder than others. Grade 11 and Grade 12 prerequisite courses, the OSSLT, and compulsory math are common sticking points. Getting help from a tutor isn't a sign you're behind—it's a practical way to work through the material you're finding tough. TutorLyft connects Ontario students with vetted tutors who know the specific courses and requirements that matter for finishing your OSSD and getting into post-secondary programs.
Students often look for tutoring help with:
- OSSLT preparation: Building reading comprehension and written response skills before the Grade 10 test
- Grade 11 and 12 math: Working through courses like MCR3U, MHF4U, or MDM4U, which determine university eligibility
- Grade 12 English (ENG4U): Essay writing, literary analysis, and the independent study unit
- Science prerequisites: Chemistry (SCH3U, SCH4U), biology (SBI3U, SBI4U), and physics (SPH3U, SPH4U) for students aiming at health sciences or engineering
Planning your next steps with confidence
The OSSD is structured, but it's also flexible. Most students don't move through it in a perfectly straight line, and the requirements are there to give you a broad foundation, not to trip you up. You can take it one credit, one semester, one requirement at a time.
If you'd like support with a specific course or requirement, you can find a tutor on TutorLyft who knows the Ontario curriculum. Taking the time to understand your options now is already a step forward.
