Students across Ontario often ask: how many credits to graduate high school? The answer is both simple and layered. Every student working toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) must earn 30 credits in total, along with completing several additional graduation requirements. These credits form the foundation of your education, preparing you for university, college, apprenticeships, or the workforce.

Understanding the details behind the numbers is key. The exact mix of compulsory and elective credits depends on when you began Grade 9, and recent updates mean today’s students face slightly different requirements than those from just a year ago. For adult learners and international students, there are also unique pathways available to help reach this milestone more efficiently.

At Ontario eSecondary School (OES), a Ministry-inspected and accredited online high school in Brampton, Ontario, students can complete, upgrade, or fast-track these credits entirely online. With flexible pacing and one-on-one support, OES makes earning your OSSD accessible no matter your schedule or circumstances. Keep reading to learn exactly what it takes to graduate high school in Ontario—and how you can reach that goal with confidence.

How Many Credits Do You Need to Graduate High School in Ontario?

To earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, students must complete 30 credits. This number has remained consistent for years, but the breakdown of those credits has recently changed.

Overview of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) Structure

The OSSD is Ontario’s official secondary school diploma. It is recognized by universities, colleges, and employers in Canada and internationally. To receive it, students need:

• 30 credits (a mix of compulsory and elective courses)
• The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement (OSSLT or OSSLC)
• A minimum of 40 community involvement hours
• Two online learning credits (with some exemptions available)
• These components together form the backbone of Ontario high school graduation requirements.

What Counts as One Credit in Ontario High School?

One credit equals 110 hours of instruction in a Ministry-approved course. Students typically earn one credit per full-semester course. In traditional schools, most complete 7–8 credits per year, while online learners at OES can adjust their pace to finish faster or take more time. Every course offered at OES High School carries the same credit value as those taught in physical schools, ensuring full recognition toward your diploma.

What Are the Compulsory Credits Required for OSSD?

Compulsory credits are core subjects the Ministry of Education requires all students to complete. These ensure a well-rounded education across English, math, science, social studies, arts, and more.

For Students Who Began Grade 9 in or Before Fall 2023 (18 Compulsory Credits)

Students in this group must earn:

• 4 English credits (one per grade)
• 3 mathematics credits (at least one in Grade 11 or 12)
• 2 science credits
• 1 Canadian history credit (Grade 10)
• 1 Canadian geography credit (Grade 9)
• 1 arts credit
• 1 health and physical education credit
• 1 French as a second language credit
• 0.5 credit in career studies
• 0.5 credit in civics and citizenship
• 3 additional credits from “Groups 1, 2, and 3”

These group credits can be selected from areas such as business studies, technological education, or cooperative education, with specific rules on how many co-op or French credits can count.

Breakdown of Group 1, 2, and 3 Compulsory Credit Options

To complete the 3 additional compulsory credits, students must earn one credit from each of the following groups:

For Students Who Began Grade 9 in Fall 2024 and Beyond (17 Compulsory Credits)

Starting in the 2024–25 school year, Ontario adjusted the compulsory list:

• 4 English credits
• 3 mathematics credits (Grades 9–11 or 12)
• 2 science credits
• 1 Canadian history credit
• 1 Canadian geography credit
• 1 technological education credit (Grade 9 or 10)
• 1 arts credit
• 1 health and physical education credit
• 1 French as a second language credit
• 0.5 credit in career studies
• 0.5 credit in civics and citizenship
• 1 credit from a STEM-related course group (new)

This shift reduced the number of compulsory credits from 18 to 17, while increasing electives from 12 to 13.

STEM-Related Course Requirement (New for 2024+)

The new STEM-related requirement allows students to take one course in business studies, computer studies, mathematics, science, technological education, or cooperative education. This reflects Ontario’s emphasis on preparing students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math fields.

Financial literacy requirement (coming into effect for Grade 10 math, Sept 2025)

A brand-new update: starting in September 2025, Grade 10 students will need to pass a financial literacy component in their math course with at least 70%. This ensures all graduates leave high school with practical money-management skills.

OES will integrate this requirement into its online math curriculum once it takes effect.

Substitutions and Special Credit-Counting Rules (e.g., ESL, Indigenous Studies, Co-Op)

• Up to 3 ESL/ELD credits can count toward the 4 compulsory English credits (but Grade 12 English must be completed).
• Indigenous studies or arts courses may substitute certain requirements.
• A maximum of 2 co-op credits can count toward compulsory groups.
• Students in French-language schools follow slightly different English/French distributions.

Elective Credits and Flexible Options

While compulsory credits set the foundation, electives allow students to explore interests and tailor learning toward their future goals.

How Many Electives Do You Need to Graduate?

Students who began Grade 9 before Fall 2024 need 12 electives. Those starting in Fall 2024 or later need 13 electives. These electives bring the total to 30 credits.

Dual Credits, Specialized Programs, and Online Course Options

Electives can be:

• Standard high school courses (arts, business, sciences, social sciences, law, etc.)
• Up to 4 dual credits (college-level courses that count toward both OSSD and college programs)
• Online courses at OES, which provide greater flexibility to pursue specialized subjects or upgrade marks

At OES, students can explore electives that fit post-secondary admission requirements or personal interests through our courses catalog.

What Additional Requirements Must Be Met to Graduate in Ontario?

Earning 30 credits is not the only step. Every student must also complete three additional requirements.

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement (OSSLT or OSSLC)

Most students meet this by passing the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). The OSSLT measures essential reading and writing skills—like understanding texts, making inferences, and writing short responses and essays—that students need to succeed in high school and beyond.

If students do not pass the OSSLT, they can instead take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC). At OES, this course is offered online as OLC4O (Grade 12, Open) and fulfills the literacy graduation requirement.

Community Involvement (40 Volunteer Hours)

All students must complete at least 40 hours of volunteering. Hours can begin in the summer before Grade 9 and must meet Ministry guidelines. Activities often include community events, coaching, tutoring, or helping non-profits. Students log hours through forms approved by their school board.

Online Learning Credits Requirement (2 Credits; Exemptions and COVID Impact)

As required by Ontario policy, students who started Grade 9 in 2020–2021 or later must complete two online learning credits, though one credit earned during the province-wide pandemic closures (April–June 2021) may count toward this. Exemptions are available through parental or personal opt-outs, with no academic penalty. Since OES is entirely online, every course automatically fulfills this requirement.

Can You Graduate High School Faster by Taking Online Courses?

Fast-Tracking and Upgrading Through OES

Yes—students can accelerate graduation by taking online courses outside their day school program. At OES, many students upgrade marks for competitive university programs or fast-track courses to finish sooner. Courses can be completed in as little as four weeks, or stretched up to 12 months.

Benefits of Self-Paced Learning for Busy Students

Self-paced courses help:

• Athletes and performers with irregular schedules
• Students recovering from illness or medical leave
• Adult learners balancing work and family
• High achievers who want to move ahead quickly

OES’s structure ensures students get the flexibility they need while still receiving active teacher support and 24/7 tutoring.

Special Pathways for Adult and International Students

PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) For Mature Learners

Through PLAR, adult learners can earn credits for prior life and work experience toward the 30 credits required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students aged 18–19 may be granted up to 16 credits, while learners aged 20 or older can earn as many as 26 credits. This means a 20+ adult learner may only need to complete 4 additional courses (usually senior-level English) to graduate with an OSSD.

OES helps mature students navigate this process by reviewing prior transcripts, work experience, and life learning, and then applying for PLAR equivalencies with the Ministry. With this support, mature students can complete their diploma more efficiently and focus only on the courses they truly need.

Flexible Schedules for Working Adults

Adults juggling full-time jobs or families benefit from OES’s year-round enrollment and flexible pacing. You decide when to study—mornings, evenings, or weekends.

Meeting Canadian University Admission Requirements for International Students

International students can earn Ontario credits online from abroad. The OSSD is highly recognized by Canadian post-secondary institutions, and OES provides additional services to help with course planning and applications.

What Happens If You Don’t Meet All Credit Requirements?

Upgrading or Retaking Failed Courses

Students who fall short can always retake or upgrade courses through OES, which is especially valuable for competitive university and college programs that require higher averages. At OES, you control the pace — you can work as quickly or as gradually as your schedule allows, with 24/7 tutoring support available whenever you need extra help.

Partial Credentials (Ontario Secondary School Certificate, OSSC)

The OSSC is granted to students leaving school before earning the full 30 credits required for an OSSD—provided they’ve completed at least 14 credits. These must include key subjects like English, math, science, and history or geography, plus electives of the student’s choice.

While it doesn’t carry the same weight as the OSSD, the OSSC offers a meaningful credential for those entering workforce training or vocational education. Students who hold an OSSC can also return later to complete the remaining credits for their full diploma without losing past progress.

Options for Completing Requirements Later in Life

It’s never too late. Adults of any age can return through OES to finish their OSSD online, opening doors to college, apprenticeships, or new careers.

FAQs About How Many Credits Needed to Graduate High School

What do you need to graduate Grade 12 in Ontario?

To graduate, you need 30 credits (18 compulsory + 12 electives), the literacy requirement, 40 volunteer hours, and 2 online credits.

How many credits do you need to graduate high school in Canada?

This varies by province, but Ontario requires 30 credits, making it one of the most standardized pathways to university and college.

How many credits are required per grade level?

Traditionally, students take 7–8 credits per year toward the required credits for a high school diploma. Online schools like OES let you adjust that pace—earning more or fewer credits per year depending on your needs.

What is the minimum number of credits to graduate high school in Ontario?

The minimum credits to graduate high school in Ontario is 30. However, mature students using PLAR may have prior learning recognized, which reduces the number of courses they need to take, but the diploma itself always represents 30 credits.

What classes are required to graduate high school in Ontario?

The compulsory classes include English, math, science, Canadian history, Canadian geography, civics, careers, arts, health and physical education, French (or another language option), and one technological education credit starting in 2024. Additional credits come from Group 1, 2, and 3 categories (e.g., business, technology, sciences, social sciences), plus electives.

Why Choose OES to Earn Your Required Credits?

Ministry-Inspected and Accredited Online High School

OES is fully accredited by the Ontario Ministry of Education, ensuring all credits count toward the OSSD. 

Flexible, Self-Paced Scheduling With 24/7 Tutoring Support

Students study on their schedule, with access to 24/7 tutoring and fast teacher feedback.

Transparent Grading, Fast Teacher Response Times, and Accredited Transcripts

Grades are processed quickly and reported to OUAC/OCAS as needed. OES emphasizes academic integrity and consistent support.

Ready to Graduate High School in Ontario? Book a 15-Minute Academic Guidance Meeting and Register for Your Courses

Now that you know how many credits to graduate high school in Ontario, graduating is within reach, whether you’re a current student, an adult learner, or an international student. At Ontario eSecondary School, you’ll find flexible online courses, accredited teachers, and personalized support to help you succeed.

Book your 15-minute academic guidance meeting today and take the first step toward earning your Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

For more resources related to how many credits to graduate high school, check out these articles:

• How to Get High School Credits Faster

• The Hardest High School Courses & Why to Take Them Online

• What to Know About Ontario’s Online Learning Graduation Requirement