Diploma and Certificates

Preparing Adolescents & Young Adults for Lives of Success

Certificate Program

Ontario Ministry of Education Diploma & Certificate Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC) Requirements
The Ontario Secondary School Certificate will be granted upon request to students who leave school before earning the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, provided that they have earned a minimum of 14 credits, as follows.

  • 2 English
  • 1 Canadian Geography or Canadian History
  • 1 Mathematics
  • 1 Science
  • 1 Health and Physical Education
  • 1 Arts or Technological Studies
  • 7 optional credits selected from any available courses in the school


Diploma Program

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) Requirements

  • 30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 optional)
  • 40 hours of community Involvement
  • OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test)

The 18 compulsory credits are:

  • 4 English; one per grade level
  • 1 French as a Second language (note: Brighton Students are exempted from French and will take a compulsory Learning Strategies course instead)
  • 3 Mathematics, at least one in grade 11 or 12
  • 2 Science
  • 1 Canadian Geography
  • 1 Canadian History
  • 1 Arts (dance, drama, media, music, visual arts)
  • 1 Health and Physical education
  • 0.5 Civics
  • 0.5 Career Studies

Plus one credit from each of the following groups:

Group 1:

  • An additional credit in English
  • or French as a Second Language
  • or a Native language
  • or Classical or International language
  • or Social Sciences and the Humanities
  • or Canadian and World Studies
  • or Guidance and career education
  • or Cooperative Education

Group 2:

  • A Business studies credit
  • Or Health and Physical education
  • Or Arts
  • Or Cooperative Education

Group 3:

  • A grade 11 or 12 Science credit
  • Or Technological Education
  • Or Computer Studies
  • Or Cooperative Education

Plus 12 Optional Credits

Accomplishment Program

Certificate of Accomplishment Requirements

Students who leave school before fulfilling the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or the Ontario Secondary School Certificate (14 credits) may be granted a Certificate of Accomplishment (less than 14 credits). This Certificate may be a useful means of recognizing achievement for students who participate in the secondary school program, especially for those students who plan to take certain vocational programs or other kinds of further training, or who plan to find employment after leaving school. A student may return to school or take additional credits after receiving the Certificate. A student may even continue earning credits to complete the requirements for the OSSC or OSSD.