Certificate Requirements

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Some students, usually working toward the Workplace or Community Living pathways, may earn one of these Certificates instead of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students may also earn an OSSD after earning a certificate by meeting the additional requirements of the OSSD.

Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC)

The Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC) will be granted, on request, to students who are leaving secondary school upon reaching the age of 18 without having met the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. To be granted an OSSC, a student must have earned a minimum of 14 credits, distributed as follows:

  • 7 compulsory credits:
    • 2 credits in English
    • 1 credit in mathematics
    • 1 credit in science
    • 1 credit in Canadian history or Canadian geography
    • 1 credit in health and physical education
    • 1 credit in the arts, computer studies or technological education
  • 7 optional credits, selected by the student from available courses
Substitution for compulsory credits follows the same policy for the OSS Certificate as for the OSS Diploma. See the section on compulsory credit substitution for more details.

The Certificate of Accomplishment

Students who are leaving secondary school upon reaching the age of 18 without having met the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma or the Ontario Secondary School Certificate may be granted a Certificate of Accomplishment. This certificate may be a useful way to recognize achievement for students who plan to take certain kinds of further training or find employment directly after leaving school.
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