If you are just starting high school or if you began high school after September 1, 1999, and wish to earn your OSSD, you must:

1. Complete 18 compulsory credits
2. Complete 12 elective credits
3. Minimum 40 hours community involvement
4. Literacy Requirement

• 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade) 
• 3 credits in mathematics (at least 1 credit in grade 11 or 12)
• 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

One credit from each of the following Group 1

• English
• French as a second language
• a native language
• a classical or an international language
• social sciences and the humanities
• Canadian and world studies
• Native studies
• guidance and career education
• cooperative education

One credit from each of the following Group 2

• health and physical education
• the arts
• business studies
• French as a second language
• cooperative education

One credit from each of the following Group 3

• science (Grade 11 or 12)
• technological education
• French as a second language
• computer studies
• cooperative education

Complete 12 elective credits of your choice

Every student must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as one of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma

Meet the Secondary School Literacy Graduation Requirement

The Literacy Requirement is based on the reading and writing expectations in the Ontario curriculum up to the end of Grade 9 and ensures students have the reading and writing skills to be successful in school, at work, and in daily life. The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is the standard means for meeting the Literacy Requirement.

Students who pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) are also considered to have met the Literacy Requirement.

1. To meet individual student needs, principals may replace up to 3 of the 18 compulsory credits from the remainder of those that meet the compulsory credit requirements (substitutions).
2. English as a second language and English literacy development: A maximum of 3 credits may be used to meet requirements for English compulsory credits.
3. French as a second language: A maximum of 2 credits may be used to meet the additional compulsory credit requirement (1 credit from Group 1, and 1 credit from either Group 2 or 3).
4. Cooperative education: A maximum of 2 credits may be used to meet the additional compulsory credit requirement (from any of Groups 1, 2 or 3).