Canadian Education- Ontario’s Education System and the OSSD

Ontario Secondary School Program (Grades 9–12)

Ontario Secondary School Program (Grades 9–12)
 
Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and is home to a highly respected education system recognized by universities, colleges, and educational institutions in Canada and internationally.
 
Education in Ontario is overseen by the Ontario Ministry of Education, which establishes curriculum expectations, graduation requirements, assessment policies, and standards for Ontario secondary schools.
The Ontario school system is generally divided into:
Successful completion of Ontario secondary school graduation requirements leads to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
 
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) Requirements
Ontario graduation requirements depend in part on the year in which a student first entered Grade 9.
 
Students Who Entered Grade 9 in 2024–2025 or Later
 
Students must successfully complete a minimum of 30 credits, consisting of:
The 17 compulsory credits include:
Students must also complete all applicable additional graduation requirements outlined below.
 
Students Who Entered Grade 9 in 2023–2024 or Earlier
 
Students generally follow the previous OSSD credit structure requiring:
Because Ontario graduation requirements vary according to a student’s year of entry into secondary school, Red Leaf Education reviews each student’s academic history individually when developing an OSSD graduation plan.
 

Additional OSSD Graduation Requirements

In addition to earning the required credits, students must meet the following applicable Ontario graduation requirements.
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement
 
Students must successfully complete the provincial secondary school literacy requirement.
 
This is normally completed through the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Where applicable and in accordance with Ministry policy, students may satisfy the literacy requirement through theOntario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O/OSSLC).
 
Community Involvement
Students working toward the OSSD are generally required to complete 40 hours of approved Community Involvement activities.
Community involvement provides students with opportunities to contribute to their communities while developing responsibility, leadership, citizenship, and transferable skills.
Students should confirm eligible activities and documentation requirements with the school before completing their hours.
 
Online Learning Graduation Requirement
Students who entered Grade 9 in the 2020–2021 school year or later are generally required to successfully complete a minimum of two online learning credits toward the OSSD.
 
Ontario Ministry policy provides an opt-out process in certain circumstances. Parents, guardians, or eligible students should contact the school for information regarding the applicable requirements and procedures.
 
Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement – Beginning 2026–2027
 
Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, students who entered Grade 9 in the 2025–2026 school year or later must successfully complete Ontario’s Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement.
 
The requirement forms part of the compulsory Grade 10 Career Studies course and assesses essential financial literacy knowledge and skills.
Students must achieve a minimum score of 70% on the Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement.
 
Students are provided with up to two attempts during the Career Studies course to successfully complete the requirement.
 
The Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement contributes 5% of the student’s final Career Studies course grade, and successful completion is recorded on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript.
 
Certain exemptions may apply under Ministry policy, including for some students transferring into Ontario at later grade levels.
 
 

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is the formal evaluation and credit-granting process through which students may receive recognition for knowledge and skills previously acquired.
 
For students transferring into the Ontario education system, including students who have completed secondary education outside Ontario, the school reviews previous academic records and determines applicable equivalent credits and outstanding OSSD requirements in accordance with Ontario Ministry of Education policy.
 
Each student’s assessment is completed individually based on their previous education, academic documentation, age, grade level, and applicable Ministry requirements.
 
 

Grade 9 Program Overview

Grade 9 establishes the academic foundation for Ontario secondary education.
Students begin earning credits toward the OSSD while developing:
Typical Grade 9 subjects may include:
Grade 9 courses are designed to maintain flexibility and prepare students for future senior secondary school pathways.
 
Grade 10 Program Overview
 
Grade 10 builds upon the academic foundation established in Grade 9 and provides students with additional opportunities to explore their interests and future pathways.
Typical Grade 10 subjects may include:
Grade 10 is an important year for educational and career planning as students begin considering the Grade 11 and Grade 12 courses required for their intended post-secondary destination.
Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, applicable students will also complete the new Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement through the Grade 10 Career Studies course.
 
Grade 11 Program Overview
 
Grade 11 represents an important transition into senior secondary studies.
Courses become increasingly focused on students’ individual academic interests and post-secondary destinations.
Grade 11 course types may include:
Key features of Grade 11 include:
Students should carefully select Grade 11 courses based on the prerequisites required for their intended Grade 12 program.
 
Grade 12 Program Overview
 
Grade 12 is the final year of Ontario secondary school and is critical for both graduation and post-secondary preparation.
Students focus on:
Grade 12 course options may include University (U), University/College (M), College (C), Workplace (E), and Open (O) courses.
 
University Admission
 
Ontario universities commonly calculate admission using a student’s six Grade 12 U and/or M level courses, including any specific prerequisite courses required by the university program.
 
Admission requirements vary considerably by university and program. Students should therefore work with Red Leaf Education guidance staff to ensure that their selected Grade 11 and Grade 12 courses meet the admission prerequisites for their intended post-secondary program.
 
 
Course Credits
 
An Ontario secondary school credit is normally granted upon successful completion of a Ministry-authorized course consisting of approximately 110 hours of scheduled instructional and learning activities.
 
To earn an Ontario secondary school credit, a student must successfully complete the course with a final grade of 50% or higher.
 
 
Assessment and Evaluation
 
Student achievement is assessed and evaluated in accordance with Ontario Ministry of Education expectations.
A student’s final course grade is generally based on:
 
70% – Course Work
Evaluation conducted throughout the course and based on evidence of student achievement demonstrated through activities such as:
30% – Final Evaluation
The final evaluation takes place toward the end of the course and provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate comprehensive achievement of the course expectations.
At Red Leaf Education, the final evaluation may include:
Assessment and evaluation practices are designed to provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning and achievement.
 
 
Individual Student Pathway Planning
 
Because graduation and post-secondary requirements may vary according to:
Red Leaf Education develops an individualized academic pathway for each student.
Students entering Red Leaf Education from another school or another country should provide complete previous academic records so that the school can properly determine credits, prerequisites, and outstanding graduation requirements.
 
 
Our Commitment
 
Red Leaf Education is committed to delivering Ontario secondary school education in accordance with applicable Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum and policy requirements.
 
Our academic program emphasizes:
Graduation requirements and Ministry policies may change over time. Red Leaf Education reviews student graduation plans according to the Ministry requirements applicable to each student’s individual academic history and year of entry into the Ontario secondary school system.
If you have questions regarding Ontario courses, grade levels, OSSD requirements, course selection, PLAR, or post-secondary pathways, please contact our office. Our team will be happy to assist.
 
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