Ontario Secondary School Diploma

The OSSD is the diploma that students work towards achieving in high school. Every Rainbow District School Board secondary school student must successfully complete the following requirements:

  • 30 credits -18 compulsory and 12 optional
  • Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement
  • 40 Community Service Hours

What you should know...

How do I earn a credit?

You must earn a final grade of 50% or more in a course to earn a credit.

How many credits can I earn each year?

The table below outlines a typical student’s credits and credit totals year by year.

Yearly Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Credits 8 8 8 6 - 8
Totals 8 16 24 30 - 32

What will happen if I fail the literacy test?

You will be given opportunities to repeat the test or take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course in its place.

Can I complete my 40 community service hours at any time?

Yes, but it is recommended you complete 10 hours each year.

What happens if I fail a course?

You need to meet with your guidance counsellor or student success teacher to explain the following options that might be available to you:

  • Repeating the course the next semester.
  • Completing the course at Summer School.
  • Recovering the credit in Credit Recovery

Ontario Secondary School Diploma

  

18 Compulsory Credits Credits

Credits Required
English (1 per grade)
4
Math (at least 1 in Grades 11 or 12)
3
Science
2
French (Grade 9)
1
Canadian Geography (Grade 9)
1
Canadian History (Grade 10)
1
The Arts
1
Health and Physical Education
1
Civics (Grade 10)
0.5
Careers (Grade 10)
0.5
 
Group 1 - Choose one from...
Additional English
A Third Language
Social Science and Humanities
Canadian and World Studies
Guidance and Career Education
Co-operative Education*
1

Group 2 - Choose one from...
Additional English
Additional Health and Physical Education
Additional Arts
Business
Co-operative Education*
1

Group 3 - Choose one from...
Additional Science (Grades 11 or 12)
Technology (Grades 9 - 12)
Co-operative Education*

*Note: A maximum of two Co-operative Education credits can be used to fulfill compulsory requirements.
1

Optional Credits

Literacy Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test
Taken in Grade 10

Community Service Hours Requirements
40 Hours completed over 4 years
12