The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is one of the most widely accepted high school credentials in the world. Issued under the authority of the Ontario Ministry of Education in Canada, this diploma opens pathways to top universities across North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and beyond.
Whether you are a school owner exploring a new international curriculum or a parent researching quality academic programmes for your child, understanding the OSSD requirements is the essential first step. In this guide, we break down the three pillars every student must complete to earn the OSSD: the 30-credit framework, the provincial literacy requirement, and the community involvement hours.
The 30 Credits: Compulsory and Optional
At the heart of the OSSD requirements is a 30-credit framework. Each credit represents a course of at least 110 hours of instruction, and a student must achieve a minimum final grade of 50 percent to earn the credit. The 30 credits are divided into two categories: compulsory and optional.
Compulsory Credits
Students must earn 18 compulsory credits in the following subject areas:
- 4 credits in English (one per grade, from Grade 9 through Grade 12)
- 3 credits in Mathematics (at least one in Grade 11 or Grade 12)
- 2 credits in Science
- 1 credit in French as a Second Language
- 1 credit in Canadian History
- 1 credit in Canadian Geography
- 1 credit in the Arts
- 1 credit in Health and Physical Education
- 0.5 credit in Civics
- 0.5 credit in Career Studies
In addition, students are required to earn one credit from each of three designated groups. Group 1 includes additional English or French as a Second Language courses. Group 2 covers subjects such as Health and Physical Education, Business Studies, and the Arts. Group 3 includes Science, Technological Education, and additional courses in other disciplines.
Optional Credits
The remaining 12 credits are elective. Students select these courses based on their personal interests, academic strengths, and post-secondary goals. This flexibility is a hallmark of the Ontario education system and allows each student to build a personalised learning path.
For school owners, the breadth of optional courses means your institution can tailor offerings to suit local demand and student needs. For parents, it means your child has the freedom to explore subjects that align with their career ambitions, whether in STEM, business, the arts, or the humanities.
Understanding the OSSD Grading System
The OSSD grading system is percentage-based and follows the Ontario Ministry of Education’s achievement chart. Final grades are reported as percentages on the Ontario Student Transcript. The scale is organised into four performance levels:
| Level | Percentage Range | Description |
| Level 4 | 80–100% | Exceeds the provincial standard |
| Level 3 | 70–79% | Meets the provincial standard |
| Level 2 | 60–69% | Approaches the provincial standard |
| Level 1 | 50–59% | Falls below the provincial standard |
A final grade below 50 percent means the student does not earn the credit for that course. This progressive evaluation model places significant weight on coursework completed throughout the term (70 percent), with the remaining 30 percent determined by a final evaluation such as an exam, project, or culminating activity.
The Literacy Requirement (OSSLT) and 40 Community Hours
Beyond the 30 credits, there are two additional OSSD requirements that every student must fulfil before graduation.
The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)
The OSSLT is a standardised assessment administered by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Education. Students typically write the test in Grade 10, and it measures reading and writing competencies developed across all subject areas up to the end of Grade 9.
To pass, a student needs a score of 300 out of 400. The test is offered once per school year, and students who do not pass on their first attempt may retake it. After two unsuccessful attempts, students become eligible for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC), which satisfies the same graduation requirement through coursework rather than a single test.
This literacy requirement ensures that all graduates possess the reading and writing skills they need for success in higher education, the workplace, and daily life.
40 Hours of Community Involvement
Every OSSD student must also complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities before graduation. These hours are designed to encourage civic responsibility, build a sense of belonging, and develop transferable skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication.
Students can begin accumulating these hours as early as the summer before Grade 9. The activities must be unpaid and completed outside of regular school hours. Eligible activities include volunteering at local community organisations, participating in fundraising events, assisting at libraries, and contributing to environmental initiatives, among others.
For schools that partner with international education providers, the community involvement component can be coordinated locally to reflect the values and needs of the surrounding community.
How International Students Meet OSSD Requirements
One of the most common questions from school owners and parents outside Canada is straightforward: how to get OSSD as an international student? The good news is that the Ontario education system was built with accessibility in mind, and accredited providers like Rosedale International Education have streamlined the process for students around the globe.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
International students who enter the OSSD programme after Grade 9 do not need to start from scratch. Through a process called Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), an entering student’s previous academic transcripts are reviewed, and equivalent OSSD credits are granted for prior learning. This means students receive credit for coursework already completed in their home country, significantly reducing the total number of new courses they need to take.
How Long Is OSSD?
The answer to how long is OSSD depends on when a student enters the programme. A full four-year programme begins in Grade 9 and concludes in Grade 12. However, many international students join in Grade 10 or Grade 11 and complete the remaining OSSD requirements in two to three years. Students enrolling in a Grade 12 University Pathway Programme can finish in as little as one year, provided they have sufficient transferable credits from their previous studies.
The Role of Rosedale International Education
Rosedale Global High School is an Ontario-based Canadian secondary school inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education (BSID #668726). Through its partnership model, Rosedale enables international partner schools to deliver the OSSD programme locally while Rosedale centrally manages all academic administration from its head office in Toronto.
Here is what that looks like in practice:
- Student Registration: Each student receives an Ontario Education Number (OEN) issued by the Ministry of Education, the same identification used by every Ontario student.
- Centralised Evaluation: All student assessments are graded by Rosedale’s team of Ontario Certified Teachers, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and academic integrity across all partner schools worldwide.
- English Language Placement: Students from non-English-speaking backgrounds take an English placement test at enrolment to ensure they are placed in courses appropriate to their proficiency level.
- Digital Learning Platform: Rosedale’s curriculum is delivered through a modern digital learning system featuring multimedia content, interactive activities, and data-driven learning analytics.
This centralised approach means that whether a student is studying in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, or Africa, they receive the same quality of education and the same globally recognised diploma as a student attending school in Ontario, Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions About OSSD Requirements
What are the main OSSD requirements?
To earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, a student must earn 30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 optional), pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) or complete the equivalent literacy course, and fulfil 40 hours of community involvement activities. All three components must be completed before the diploma can be issued.
How do I get OSSD as an international student?
International students can earn the OSSD by enrolling at an Ontario-accredited school such as Rosedale Global High School. Through a partnership model, students attend classes at a local international partner school while Rosedale manages the academic administration, evaluation, and diploma issuance from Ontario. Students who enter the programme after Grade 9 may receive equivalent OSSD credits through the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process.
What is the OSSD grading system?
The OSSD uses a percentage-based grading system aligned with the Ontario Ministry of Education’s achievement levels. Students need a minimum of 50 percent to earn a credit. Term work accounts for 70 percent of the final grade, and the remaining 30 percent comes from a final evaluation. Grades are recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST), which universities worldwide recognise as part of the admissions process.
How long does it take to complete the OSSD?
The standard OSSD programme spans four years, from Grade 9 through Grade 12. However, international students who enter in later grades can complete the requirements in one to three years, depending on how many credits transfer from their previous studies. A University Pathway Programme focused on Grade 12 courses can be completed in approximately one academic year.
Does Rosedale support schools that want to offer the OSSD?
Yes. Rosedale International Education partners with schools around the world to deliver the OSSD programme. Rosedale provides the curriculum, digital learning platform, centralised evaluation by Ontario Certified Teachers, and full academic administration. Partner schools deliver classroom instruction locally with the support of Rosedale’s training and quality assurance services.
Start Offering the OSSD at Your School With Rosedale
The OSSD is more than a diploma. It is a globally recognised credential built on a foundation of critical thinking, differentiated instruction, and progressive evaluation. For school owners, partnering with Rosedale International Education means giving your students access to one of the world’s most respected secondary school programmes, all without leaving your campus. For parents, it means your child receives a Canadian education that is accepted by leading universities around the globe.
Rosedale’s partnership model takes care of the complexities: curriculum development, centralised evaluation, academic administration, and Ontario Ministry of Education compliance. Your school provides the local classroom instruction and student support, and together, you co-create life-changing learning outcomes. Contact the Rosedale team to begin your school partnership conversation.
