Graduation Requirements

Limestone Learning Foundation

To earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), students must complete a number of steps. The most important step is the completion of 30 courses from the Ontario Curriculum as set out by the Ministry of Education. Effective February 1, 2022, students are required to complete two online courses prior to Graduation.  In addition to the course requirements, students must complete 40 hours of voluntary Community Involvement, and fulfill the Ontario Literacy Requirement (by successfully completing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), or the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course). 

High school graduation requirements

Course Completion

Students must complete 30 courses  from the Ontario Curriculum as set out by the Ministry of Education. Students must complete 18 compulsory courses and 12 optional credits. Two of these 30 courses must be completed online as of February 1, 2022.

Online Learning Graduation Requirement 

The Ministry of Education has issued a new online learning graduation requirement, effective February 1, 2022 which requires students to complete two online courses prior to Graduation.  Students in Grade 10 during the 2021-2022 school year are the first group of students required to complete this new e-learning graduation requirement.  Most students will take online courses during their grade 11 and/or grade 12 year, but some may elect to complete the online learning requirement during Summer School. If families have questions about the new eLearning graduation requirements, they can email [email protected]. 

Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC)

Students working towards the Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC) will be granted on request to students who leave school before earning the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), provided they have earned a minimum of 14 credits distributed, as follows:

Compulsory credits (total of 7):

  • 2 credits in English 

  • 1 credit in Canadian Geography or Canadian History 

  • 1 credit in Mathematics

  • 1 credit in Science 

  • 1 credit in Health and Physical Education 

  • 1 credit in the Arts or Technological Education

Optional credits (total of 7):
Seven credits selected by the student from available courses. Consideration should be given to planned career destination and destination requirements or prerequisites. Students are encouraged to explore different subject areas.  

Community Service (Volunteer) Hours

Since 1999, all students in Ontario secondary schools are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of Community Involvement (volunteer hours) in order to receive a diploma. The purpose of this requirement is to encourage students to develop an understanding of the various roles they can play in their community. Currently, students are able to start accumulating community involvement hours in the summer before they enter Grade 9.

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)

For mature students who have been out of school for at least one year, the Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) process can be used as a way to progress towards graduation. Students may obtain credits towards the secondary school diploma (OSSD) for knowledge and skills that they have acquired outside of secondary school. This prior learning is assessed and evaluated to determine whether the student has met the provincial course expectations.

My student is in Grade 10. Do they need to complete two online courses in the next two years?

Current Grade 10 students (2021-2022) may only need one online course to meet the graduation requirement.

In recognition of school closures last year (from April 2021 to June 2021), students who were in Grade 9 last year may count one Grade 9 course towards the new online graduation requirement.

Can my student “opt out” of the mandatory online learning graduation requirement?

Parents and guardians will have the opportunity to determine whether online learning is appropriate and beneficial for their student. 

Parents who determine they want to opt their student out of the mandatory online learning credits, will have the option to complete the opt out form during the students’ graduating year. Parents can obtain the Opt-Out of e-Learning for Graduation Requirement Form or from their student's guidance counselor. 


How will my student choose an online course?

Online course options will be provided during the course selection process which typically happens in February. 

Students have access to a variety of eLearning courses  throughout the regular school year as well as during Summer Session. 

All courses being offered will run if there is sufficient student interest and enrollment. As with all courses, students may be waitlisted in a course, and may not get their first choice of online course.

How will my grade 9 student fulfill this mandatory eLearning graduation requirement?

Students can fulfill this requirement in a number of ways.  They can take online courses during grade 11 and 12 through the board, complete summer school courses, or take co-operative education during the summer.  

My student is in Grade 11 this year (2021-2022). Do they have the complete two online courses to graduate?

No. Current Grade 10 students are the first cohort of students with the new mandatory online learning requirement.

If my student registered in the Secondary Virtual School, does that meet their eLearning requirement?

Yes. If a student has taken 2 or more courses through the Virtual School, they have met their mandatory eLearning graduation requirement.

Will my student's eLearning course be offered synchronously or asynchronously?

eLearning courses are offered asynchronously.

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.