What You Need to Graduate High School in Ontario (And How OVS Can Help)
Canada is known around the world for having school systems that support both high achievement and fair opportunities for students. We also take pride in being a multicultural country, where diversity is valued and protected. Across Canada, education is shaped by important national laws and policies, such as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as decisions related to child care, language rights, immigration, and Indigenous peoples.
Ontario’s Education System
But here’s the part that surprises a lot of people; Canada doesn’t actually have one national education system. There’s no federal department of education. Instead, each province and territory is in charge of its own schools, which means education can look a little different depending on where you live. In Ontario, we have the Ministry of Education who both funds and oversees publicly funded elementary and secondary school education. This means that they set requirements for student diplomas and certificates as well as register and inspect private schools that offer credits toward an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
Ontario Virtual School and Getting Your OSSD
Ontario Virtual School is an example of an accredited online virtual school that has been inspected by the Ministry of Education and has the right to issue high school credits that go towards earning your high school diploma. All of the online courses at OVS follow the Ontario curriculum, so students and parents can be assured that students get exactly what they need to graduate high school and pursue post-secondary studies.
But, Exactly How Many Credits Do You Need to Graduate?
The short answer is that you need 30 credits to graduate. But there’s a little more to it than that. Within those 30 credits, you still need to fulfill specific requirements. Some courses, like Gr. 12 English, are compulsory (meaning you have to take them) and other courses, like Gr. 12 Biology, are optional. The great news, though, is that OVS makes it easier for students to get all the requirements they need. In day school, certain courses may only be offered during specific years or semesters, or it’s even possible that your day school doesn’t offer that particular course. For this reason, taking an online course with OVS is a great way to ensure you check all the boxes.
Let’s Break it Down
If you started Grade 9 in 2023 or earlier,you must earn: |
If you started Grade 9 in 2024 or later,you must earn: |
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18 Compulsory Credits (2023 or Earlier) |
17 Compulsory Credits (2024 or Later) |
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OVS Helps Students Succeed
Navigating all of the requirements can be challenging. OVS understands that even reading the course codes can be confusing, which is why we explain the course coding system for students and parents alike. We also understand that getting your OSSD is the prerequisite for future studies, so we support students in navigating how to apply to college or university.
Reach Out Today
There’s a lot to consider, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Connect with an OVS Guidance Counsellor who can walk you through the process and help you get started on your path to success!
FAQ1) How many credits do you need to graduate high school in Ontario?To earn your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), students must complete 30 credits in total. Within those 30 credits, there are compulsory credits you must earn, plus optional credits you get to choose based on your interests and post-secondary goals. 2) What’s the difference between compulsory credits and optional credits?Compulsory credits are the courses every student must take to graduate. Optional credits are the courses students can choose to personalize their learning. 3) Why do graduation requirements look different for students who started Grade 9 in 2024 or later?Ontario updated the graduation requirements beginning with students who started Grade 9 in 2024 or later, including changes such as a technology credit and a STEM-related group credit. This is why the number of compulsory vs optional credits looks slightly different depending on when a student started high school. 4) How can Ontario Virtual School (OVS) help students stay on track to graduate?OVS offers Ministry-inspected online courses that count toward the OSSD and follow the Ontario curriculum. This makes it easier for students to earn the credits they need—especially if a course isn’t available at their day school, doesn’t fit their timetable, or they want a flexible option to stay on track. |
Sources:
Campbell, C. (2021). Educational equity in Canada: the case of Ontario’s strategies and actions to advance excellence and equity for students. School Leadership & Management, 41(4–5), 409–428. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2019.1709165
Earning your high school diploma. (2025c, June 27). ontario.ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/earning-your-high-school-diploma
OECD. (2023). PISA 2022 results: Factsheets – Canada. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2023/11/pisa-2022-results-volume-i-and-ii-country-notes_2fca04b9/canada_f9f44aed/901942bb-en.pdf
Government of Canada, Department of Justice, Electronic Communications. (2025, April 16). The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/rfc-dlc/ccrf-ccdl/
Ministry of Education. (2025, June 9). ontario.ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-education
Private school contact information – Dataset – Ontario Data Catalogue. (2025, November 25). https://data.ontario.ca/dataset/private-school-contact-information
Written by Katelyn Van Hezewyk (OVS Teacher)