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Ontario Secondary School System

The Ontario high school education system in Canada is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and well-rounded education that prepares them for post-secondary education, the workforce, and active citizenship. Here are the key components and graduation requirements:

Ontario Secondary School System

1. Curriculum:

  • The Ontario high school curriculum is divided into two main parts: Grades 9-10 (Foundation Years) and Grades 11-12 (Specialization Years).

  • Students must complete courses in various subjects, including English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, and the Arts.

  • Elective courses allow students to explore interests and potential career paths.

2. Course Levels:

  • Courses are offered at different levels: Academic, Applied, and Open in Grades 9-10, and University, College, Mixed, and Workplace in Grades 11-12.

  • These levels help tailor the learning experience to students' strengths, interests, and post-secondary plans.

Graduation Requirements

1. Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD):

To earn the OSSD, students must complete a minimum of 30 credits, which includes 18 compulsory credits and 12 optional credits.

 

Compulsory Credits:

 

4 credits in English

 

3 credits in Mathematics

 

2 credits in Science

 

1 credit in Canadian History

 

1 credit in Canadian Geography

 

1 credit in the Arts

 

1 credit in Health and Physical Education

 

1 credit in French as a Second Language

 

0.5 credit in Career Studies

 

0.5 credit in Civics

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Additional Credits:

 

1 credit from Group 1 (additional English, French, Social Sciences, etc.)

 

1 credit from Group 2 (additional Health and Physical Education, Arts, Business Studies, etc.)

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1 credit from Group 3 (additional Science, Technological Education, etc.)

2. Literacy Requirement:

Students must pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) or complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC).

3. Community Involvement:

Students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service.

Assessment and Evaluation

  • Student performance is assessed through a combination of classroom assignments, projects, tests, and final exams.

  • The final grade for each course is a combination of term work (70%) and a final evaluation (30%).

Post-Secondary Preparation

  • Ontario high schools offer guidance and support for students planning to attend universities, colleges, or enter the workforce.

  • The Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) and the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) facilitate applications to post-secondary institutions.

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