How it works
How It Works
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Learn at Your Own Pace
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Graduate with Your OSSD
Receive your official Ontario Secondary School Diploma — recognized by universities and employers in 160+ countries.
Assessment And Grading
Cedarcrest follows Ontario's current secondary assessment and evaluation requirements
Final evaluations may include mandatory written examinations and/or culminating tasks, depending on the course and grade
Written final examinations are conducted during the designated examination period under school procedures
For MTH1W, the EQAO Grade 9 Mathematics Assessment is incorporated as the 20% final evaluation component beginning in 2026–27
A final course mark of 50% or higher is required to earn a credit. Although Universities may require higher scores for admissions into competitive programs
Written final examinations are conducted during the designated examination period under school procedures
For MTH1W, the EQAO Grade 9 Mathematics Assessment is incorporated as the 20% final evaluation component beginning in 2026–27
A final course mark of 50% or higher is required to earn a credit. Although Universities may require higher scores for admissions into competitive programs
OSSD Graduation Requirements
The Three Main Graduation Requirements Are
30 OSSD Credits
The 30 Credits Are Divided Into
Generally, one successfully completed secondary school course earns 1 credit.
The minimum passing mark for earning a course credit is 50%.
However, it is important to clearly distinguish this from university admission requirements.
A 50% passing mark does not mean that 50% is sufficient for university admission.
Universities and programmes may require specific Grade 12 courses and much higher admission averages.
The minimum passing mark for earning a course credit is 50%.
However, it is important to clearly distinguish this from university admission requirements.
A 50% passing mark does not mean that 50% is sufficient for university admission.
Universities and programmes may require specific Grade 12 courses and much higher admission averages.
The 17 Compulsory Credits
The Compulsory Credits Include
For students entering Grade 9 in 2024 or later: 1 Technological Education credit and 1 credit from the STEM-related group
The 13 Optional Credits
The remaining 13 credits are optional/elective credits.
These allow students to build their academic pathway according to their interests and future plans.
Students can select subjects related to areas such as
- Mathematics
- Science
- Business
- Computer Science
- Social Sciences
- Languages
- Arts
- Technology
- Other approved elective areas
Literacy Requirement
- Students must satisfy the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement.
- The normal route is through the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).
- Under the applicable conditions, OLC4O – Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course can provide an alternative literacy pathway.
- This should be presented separately from the 30-credit requirement because literacy is an additional graduation requirement.
Community Involvement
- Students need a minimum of 40 community involvement hours.
- These hours are completed through eligible community activities.
- Examples can include volunteering with schools, non-profit organisations, community organisations and other eligible activities.
- The activities need to meet the applicable requirements and should be properly documented/verified.
Understanding OSSD Course Codes
The course code itself gives important information about the course.
For example
MHF4U, which expanded refers to:
The course descriptor — MHF: Advanced Functions;
The grade — 12 (i.e., 4 — Grade 12);
The course type — University (i.e., U — University Preparation)
MHF4U = Grade 12 Advanced Functions - University Preparation
MHF4U, which expanded refers to:
The course descriptor — MHF: Advanced Functions;
The grade — 12 (i.e., 4 — Grade 12);
The course type — University (i.e., U — University Preparation)
MHF4U = Grade 12 Advanced Functions - University Preparation
Course Type And Codes
| Grade Level | Code | Course Type |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 / 10 | D | Academic |
| Grade 9 / 10 | P | Applied |
| Grade 9 / 10 | O | Open |
| Grade 11 / 12 | U | University Preparation |
| Grade 11 / 12 | C | College Preparation |
| Grade 11 / 12 | M | University / College Preparation |
| Grade 11 / 12 | O | Open |
University Pathway Planning
OSSD course planning needs to connect directly with the student's planned university programme
Engineering Pathway
- Advanced Functions
- Calculus & Vectors
- Physics
- Chemistry
- English
Computer Science pathway
- Advanced Functions
- Calculus & Vectors, where required
- Computer Science
- English
Medicine/Life Science pathway
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- English
- Other programme-specific prerequisites
Business Pathway
- Advanced Mathematics where required
- Accounting
- Business
- Economics-related courses
- English
Attendance & Participation
Regular engagement is essential in an online course
Beginning in 2026–27, attendance and participation form part of the final course mark
- Excused absences do not negatively affect the student's mark under Ontario policy.
- Students are expected to communicate promptly when illness, emergencies or other approved circumstances affect participation.
- Online attendance may include participation in scheduled activities, teacher interactions and documented engagement with required course work, consistent with Cedarcrest procedures.
Student Responsibilities
Attend and actively participate in scheduled learning activities
Complete assignments, projects, assessments and final evaluations on time
Submit authentic work and follow academic-integrity expectations
Maintain regular communication with teachers and school staff
Use the LMS and school communication systems responsibly
Ask for support early when academic, technical or scheduling issues arise
Complete assignments, projects, assessments and final evaluations on time
Submit authentic work and follow academic-integrity expectations
Maintain regular communication with teachers and school staff
Use the LMS and school communication systems responsibly
Ask for support early when academic, technical or scheduling issues arise