Requirements For the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

The Ontario Secondary School Certificate will be granted on request to students who leave school before earning the OSSD, provided they have earned a minimum of 14 credits:

7 Compulsory Credits (2 English, 1 Canadian Geography or Canadian History, 1 Mathematics, 1 Science, 1 Health and Physical Education, 1 Arts or Technological Education) and 7 Optional Credits

Certificate of Accomplishment

May be granted to students who leave school before fulfilling the Diploma or the Certificate

Organization of Secondary School Courses

Types of Courses

In grades 9 and 10, three types of courses are offered: academic, applied and open.

Open courses are suitable for all students and prepare them for further study that will enrich their education generally. Open courses are credit-based and are counted towards diploma requirements.

Academic courses emphasize theory and abstract problems. They are designed to prepare students for Grade 11 and 12 university and university/college preparation courses.

Applied courses focus on practical applications and concrete examples. They are designed to prepare students for Grade 11 and 12 college and workplace preparation courses.

Note: Crossover materials will be available for students who wish to change from Grade 9 Applied to Grade 10 Academic courses.

In Grades 11 and 12, four types of courses are offered:

Workplace preparation courses prepare you to move directly into the workplace after high school or to be admitted into apprenticeship programs or other training programs in the community. Courses focus on employment skills and on practical workplace applications of the subject content. Many workplace preparation courses involve cooperative education and work experience placements, which allow students to get first-hand experience in a workplace.

University/College preparation courses are offered to prepare you to meet the entrance requirements of certain university and college programs. They focus on both theory and practical applications.

College preparation courses are offered to prepare you to meet the entrance requirements for most college programs. Courses focus on practical applications and also examine underlying theories.

University preparation courses provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to meet university entrance requirements. Courses emphasize theoretical aspects of the subject and also consider related applications.

Note: Transfer courses will enable students who alter their post secondary plans to move from one destination course to another (e.g.: college preparation to university preparation).

All students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of unpaid community involvement activities before graduating from high school. This requirement is in addition to the 30 credits needed for a high school diploma.

Students, in collaboration with their parents will be able to choose their own community involvement activities, within guidelines that will be provided by the Peel District School Board. Students will be responsible for fulfilling this requirement on their own time, and for keeping a record of their activities on a form supplied by the school. Completion of the required 40 hours must be documented and submitted to the school by the student.

The community involvement requirement is designed to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play in supporting and strengthening their communities.

Students will take the Secondary School Literacy Test in Grade 10. Students must pass the test in order to graduate, and their result is recorded on their student transcript. The literacy test evaluates students' reading and writing skills based on curriculum expectations in language and communications up to and including Grade 9. Students who are unsuccessful may retake the test until they meet the provincial standard. ESL students will take the test only when they have reached this level in their language studies. Accomodations will be made for students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs).