About the OSSD: what the diploma is and how universities read it
The OSSD is Ontario’s high-school diploma: 30 credits (17 compulsory + 13 elective for students entering Grade 9 from fall 2024; 18 + 12 for earlier cohorts), 40 community-service hours, the OSSLT literacy test, and at least two online-learning credits (parents may opt out); students who start Grade 9 in fall 2025 or later also meet a financial-literacy requirement inside Grade 10 Career Studies, effective 2026-27. For admissions it is among the most widely recognized secondary credentials in North America.
How the diploma works
Each 110-hour course is one credit; Grades 9-10 build the base, and the U/M courses of Grades 11-12 are what universities evaluate.
How universities count it
Ontario universities average the Top 6 (ENG4U plus the program’s named courses). There is no provincial exam — coursework is everything, which is the OSSD’s opportunity.
Filling credit gaps
Transfer credits, summer school and inspected online courses all fill or improve credits — the school must be INSPECTED and credit-granting in the ministry directory, not merely hold a BSID.
Common questions
Do international credits transfer?
Yes — prior transcripts are assessed into equivalent credits on entry; students arriving in Grades 10-11 typically finish within 2-3 years.
What if the OSSLT is not passed?
It can be retaken, or replaced by the OLC4O literacy course — the diploma is not blocked.
Can OSSD credits be taken at STEMRise?
Our OSSD credit courses cover the math, English, science and business/CS spines — see the OSSD catalogue.
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