Educational System in Ontario

Every student who graduates from an Ontario high school will receive an OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma). OSSD requires 30 credits, of which 18 are required credits and 12 are elective credits for grades 9-12 (i.e. S3-S6 in Hong Kong). The required credits include:

1. English (4 credits)
2. Mathematics (3 credits) (at least 1 credit in 11th or 12th grade)
3. Science(2 credits)
4. Canadian History(1 credit)
5. Canadian Geography (1 credit)
6. Liberal Arts (1 credit)
7. Physical Education (1 credit)
8. Second Language (1 credit)
9. Career Planning (0.5 credit)
10. Civic Education (0.5 credit)

Plus one course from each of the following combinations, one credit each:

Group 1

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

Group 2

• health and physical education
• the arts
• Business Studies
• French as a second language
• cooperative education

Group 3

• Science (Grade 11 or 12)
• Technology Education
• French as a second language
• computer studies
• cooperative education

Ontario High School Program Other Requirements

• 40 hours of community service
• Pass the Ontario Secondary Schools Literacy Test (OSSLT) or a literacy course in the second semester of grade 10. The test score does not affect the transcript, but it is a requirement for graduation from Ontario high school.

Understand the course number

All Ontario high school courses have a 6-digit course number. Understanding the course number will help you understand:

• Children's report cards;

• University admission requirements;

• Child's course registration form

P, D, U, M, C are the letters of the course numbers: 9th and 10th grade courses will have P or D, and 11th and 12th grade courses will have U, M, or C.

• University Foundation Programme (U) meets the entry requirements for university programmes.

• The College Foundation Program (C) meets the admission requirements for most college programs.

• University/College Preparation Programs (M) meet the admission requirements for some universities and most college programs.

• Usually the P course (i.e. applied course) in grade 9 or 10 will be extended to the M or C course in grade 11 or 12.

• D courses are academic courses for 9th or 10th grade and will be extended to all courses for 11th or 12th grade.

Reading about Ontario's secondary school system