Ontario Secondary School Diploma

Requirements for the OSSD.

To earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, students must earn 30 credits, complete 40 hours of community involvement, and meet the provincial literacy requirement — plus online learning and, for newer students, financial literacy.

credits: 30credits
volunteer hours: 40volunteer hours
online credits: 2online credits
literacy requirement: 1literacy requirement

OSSD credit planner

See what you still need.

Choose when you started Grade 9, then add the credits you've already earned. We'll show what's left — and where to find it.

17 compulsory credits

English · 4 credits
1 credit per grade
0/4
Mathematics · 3 credits
Grade 9, Grade 10, and 1 in Grade 11 or 12
0/3
Science · 2 credits
0/2
Technological education (Grade 9 or 10) · 1 credit
0/1
Canadian history (Grade 10) · 1 credit
0/1
Canadian geography (Grade 9) · 1 credit
0/1
The arts · 1 credit
0/1
Health and physical education · 1 credit
0/1
French as a second language · 1 credit
0/1
Career studies · 0.5 credits
0/0.5
Civics and citizenship · 0.5 credits
0/0.5
STEM-related group · 1 credit
Business, computer studies, co-op, or additional math, science or tech ed
0/1

13 optional credits

Any courses beyond the compulsory list.

0/13

Other requirements

Provincial literacy requirementPass the OSSLT — or the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O).
40 hours of community involvementVolunteer activities completed outside class time.
2 online learning creditsStudents may opt out in some circumstances.
Financial literacyScore at least 70% on the financial literacy component of Grade 10 Career Studies.

Started Grade 9 in 2024 or later

17 compulsory credits + 13 optional credits

English1 credit per grade4
MathematicsGrade 9, Grade 10, and 1 in Grade 11 or 123
Science2
Technological education (Grade 9 or 10)1
Canadian history (Grade 10)1
Canadian geography (Grade 9)1
The arts1
Health and physical education1
French as a second language1
Career studies0.5
Civics and citizenship0.5
STEM-related groupBusiness, computer studies, co-op, or additional math, science or tech ed1

Started Grade 9 in 2023 or earlier

18 compulsory credits + 12 optional credits

English1 credit per grade4
MathematicsGrade 9, Grade 10, and 1 in Grade 11 or 123
Science2
Canadian history (Grade 10)1
Canadian geography (Grade 9)1
The arts1
Health and physical education1
French as a second language1
Career studies0.5
Civics and citizenship0.5
Group 1 creditEnglish, French, languages, Canadian & world studies, social sciences, guidance or co-op1
Group 2 creditFrench, the arts, business studies, health & physical education or co-op1
Group 3 creditFrench, Grade 11/12 science, computer studies, technological education or co-op1

Provincial literacy requirement

Students meet the literacy requirement by passing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Students who have been eligible to write the test at least twice and were unsuccessful at least once may take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O) instead.

40 hours of community involvement

Every student completes at least 40 hours of community involvement activities. See our community involvement guide for ideas and how hours are approved.

Online learning and financial literacy

Students who started Grade 9 in 2020 or later need two online learning credits (opt-outs are available). Students who started Grade 9 in 2024 or later must also score at least 70% on the financial literacy component of Grade 10 Career Studies (GLC2O).

Requirements summarized from the Ontario Ministry of Education. Always confirm your individual pathway with a guidance counsellor.

OSSD FAQ

Diploma questions.

See all questions

How many credits do I need to graduate in Ontario?

30 credits. Students who started Grade 9 in 2024 or later need 17 compulsory and 13 optional credits; students who started earlier need 18 compulsory and 12 optional credits.

What if I haven't passed the OSSLT?

Students who have been eligible to write the OSSLT at least twice and were unsuccessful at least once can take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O), which meets the literacy requirement.

Can credits from Innocent Hearts count toward my diploma?

Yes. As a Ministry-inspected private school, every credit you earn here counts toward the OSSD and appears on your Ontario Student Transcript.

Do I really need online credits?

Students who started Grade 9 in 2020 or later need two online learning credits unless they opt out. Our online hybrid courses count toward this requirement.

Admissions open year-round

Missing a credit? Earn it this term.

Term 2 begins November 16, 2026. Seats are limited by design — our classes stay small so every student is known.

Start your application (647) 293-9906