High school diploma requirements
To obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (DESO), the student must accumulate at least 30 credits. The student obtains a credit after having successfully completed a course lasting at least 110 hours.
18 compulsory credits:
- 4 credits in French (1 credit per year)
- 1 credit in English
- 3 credits in mathematics (at least 1 credit in grades 11 through 12)
- 2 credits in science
- 1 credit in Canadian history
- 1 credit in Canadian geography
- 1 credit in arts education
- 1 credit in physical education and health
- 0,5 credit in career exploration
- 0,5 credit in civics and citizenship
Plus 1 credit in each of the following groups:
1 group | 2 group | 1 group |
|---|---|---|
French (including the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course) | physical education and health | science (11th or 12th grade) |
English | artistic education | technological education |
business and trade | indigenous languages | classical languages |
Humanities and Social Sciences | English | international languages |
canadian and world studies | cooperative education | English |
career guidance and training | Quebec Sign Language as a Second Language | computer education |
cooperative education | cooperative education | |
Quebec Sign Language as a Second Language | Quebec Sign Language as a Second Language |
The choice of compulsory credits from the three groups above is subject to the following conditions:
A maximum of two English credits can count as compulsory credits in Groups
1, 2 and 3: one must be from Group 1 and the other from Group 2 or 3.
A maximum of two cooperative education credits may count as compulsory credits in Groups 1, 2 and 3.
The credit for the grade 9 course titled Expression of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Cultures may count towards the mandatory arts education credit.
The Grade 11 French: Discovering Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices course credit may count toward the Grade 11 French compulsory credit.
Credit for a Beginners English course may count towards compulsory English credit in Groups 1, 2 and 3.
A student who has chosen to study an Aboriginal language instead of elementary English may use the credit of an Aboriginal language course (Level 1 or Level 2) towards the compulsory credit of English in Groups 1, 2 and 3.
12 optional credits, chosen from the additional courses available
The 12 optional credits can include a maximum of 4 credits from approved dual credit courses.
Council requirement
1 credit in religious education, namely:
- 1 credit in the intermediate cycle or
- 1 graduate credit
Ontario Certificate Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC)
A student who leaves high school before obtaining the Ontario Secondary School Diploma may earn an Ontario Secondary School Certificate if they obtain fourteen (14) credits, including seven (7) credits. ) compulsory credits:
7 compulsory credits:
- 2 credits in French
- 1 credit in Canadian geography or Canadian history
- 1 credit in mathematics
- 1 credit in science
- 1 credit in physical education and health
- 1 credit in artistic education or technological education
7 optional credits:
- among the additional courses available
Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC)
A student who leaves school before they can graduate or graduate from high school may receive the certificate of achievement. This document could prove useful to students looking for a job or who wish to register, among other things, in certain vocational training programs.
Passing the language proficiency test and 40 hours of community service are not required for this certificate.
Ontario School Record (OSR) and transcript
Ontario's school record (DSO) is a permanent record that tracks each student's progress throughout their education in Ontario. The DSO is transferred from one school to another, depending on the student's movements. The DSO, which contains the transcript, is kept for 55 years after the student leaves school.
Transcript
The Ontario transcript provides a comprehensive profile of a student's performance at the high school level.
- For 9th and 10th grade courses, only courses passed will be included on the transcript.
- All Grade 11 and 12 courses will be reported, whether or not the student has passed. This is called “full disclosure.” If a student repeats and completes a Grade 11 or 12 course, both grades will appear on the transcript, but only one credit will be awarded.
- The “A” drop indicator will be entered on the transcript of any 11th or 12th grade student who decides to drop a course after a period of 5 days following the issuance of the first stage report card.
Substitutions of compulsory courses
To give more flexibility to the program and to allow all students to graduate in all fairness, a limited number of compulsory courses may be replaced by courses which entitle them to compulsory credits. Thus, to meet the specific needs of a student, the person in charge of the school can replace up to three compulsory courses (or the equivalent in half-courses) with courses which give entitlement to compulsory credits. Such substitutions should be made to promote and enhance a student's learning or to meet specific needs or interests. Each substitution will be noted in the Ontario transcript.
Credit certificates in music
A maximum of two credits may be awarded for music programs taken outside of school. Students should meet with their guidance counselor to find out the details.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning (RDA) is the official process by which students can obtain credits for their prior learning. The RDA has two components: the claim of credit and the granting of credit equivalents. The student who wishes to claim a credit must follow a specific process. Thus, it is important for the student to document himself and provide evidence of acquiring the expectations of a course. The person in charge of the school will provide all the necessary information to pupils who request it.
40 hours of community service
Students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community activities unpaid to earn their high school diploma. Community service must be performed outside of the regular instructional hours of the school day. Students may begin earning community service hours during the summer, before entering grade 9. All activities must be approved in advance by the high school. Forms are also available from the guidance department or central office of each high school.
Statement – community service
The student must return this form to the school once the 40 hours of community service have been completed or by the deadlines determined by the school administration.
The back, in question-and-answer format, contains information about community service, including goals, responsibilities of the student, parents, community organization and a list of eligible and ineligible activities.
EQAO Provincial Tests
Provincial tests are administered by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO).
There are 2 tests in high school.
Math test, 9e XNUMX The Mathematics Test, 9e grade, assesses the math skills students should have acquired by the end of 9e year.
Tests to practice: TPM
Provincial language proficiency test The Provincial Language Proficiency Test assesses students to see if they have met the minimum standard for literacy in all subjects through the end of 9e year. Passing the language proficiency test is one of the requirements for obtaining the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
A student who, after one or two attempts, has not passed the OSSLT can also graduate with a passing grade in the Ontario Secondary School Language Proficiency (OCHSO) course in Grade 11 or 12. .
Accommodations: Students receiving student services or who have an IEP (Individual Education Plan) must be able to pass the Provincial Language Proficiency Test fairly. The presentation of the test may therefore be adapted or more time may be granted to complete it. However, the content will not be changed.
Postponements: The adult student or parents/guardians may request that the test be postponed. The school administration may take the initiative and make the recommendation to them. These students include those who have been identified as students with special needs and those whose cases will be studied on an individual basis.
Exemptions: If the student has an IEP indicating that they are not working towards graduation, they may be exempt from taking the test. In the case of an IEP review where the student wishes to study towards graduation, they will be required to pass the Provincial Language Proficiency Test (TPCL).
Tests to practice: OSSLT
Resources for parents
In order to answer the most common questions parents have about EQAO elementary or secondary tests, EQAO offers the following guides: