OSSD

OSSD Course Overview

The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is a diploma awarded to high school graduates in Ontario, Canada. This is an international high school course that can be used for admission to universities around the world, including Canadian universities. OSSD recognizes grades from high school and international high school courses in other countries, allows for flexible transfer/admission and early graduation, supports a variety of fields suited to majors and career paths, and can adjust learning difficulty. Additionally, classes can be held online or offline depending on the student’s situation.

ESL course provided

We offer English language courses for international students. It consists of five levels, from A to E, and level E must be completed to graduate from high school. Typically, 10th grade students start at Level C.

Transfer credits

OSSD accepts transcripts from previous high schools. If you are transferring as a senior in high school, you can transfer up to 24 credits into OSSD credits.

Exemption from official examination

To apply to overseas universities, you need scores from official tests such as SAT, A-level, or IELTS, but there are many universities where you can apply only with OSSD scores. 

International Program Comparison

A-Level IB AP OSSD
Academic difficulty Middle High High Low
Study period 2 Years 2 Years 1~2 Years 1~3 Years(flexible)
Credit transfer Impossible Impossible Impossible Possible
Evaluation test Twice Once Once School self-evaluation
Assessment Methods standardized standardized standardized Performance 70%
Test 30%
Social activities None Exist Choice Exist

English level comparison

ESL A B C D E
IELTS < 4.0 4.0~4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0~6.5
TOEFL < 31 32~34 35~45 46~59 60~93

Transfer credits by grade

Maximum credits accepted Ontario grade
3rd year of middle school 8 9th grade
1st year of high school 16 10th grade
2nd year of high school 22 11th grade
3rd year of high school 24 12th grade

Required subjects

OSSD graduation requirements require completion of 18 credits of required courses and 12 credits of elective courses.

Required subjects

• 4 credits of English (1 credit per grade)
• 3 credits of math (minimum 1 credit from grade 11 or 12)
• 2 credits of science
• 1 credit in Canadian history
• 1 credit in Canadian Geography
• 1 art credit
• Health and Physical Education 1 credit
• 1 French credit
• 0.5 credits of vocational studies
• Citizenship 0.5 credits
• 1 credit in ESL/Social Humanities/Canadian and Global Studies
• 1 credit in Health and Physical Education/Arts/Business Administration
• 1 credit in Science (Grade 11 or 12) / Computer / Technology

High school main subjects

ESL
ESLAO
ESLBO
ESLCO
ESLDO
ESLEO

English
English (ENG)
Literacy (OLC)
Writer’s Craft (EWC)
Speech and Language Skills (EPS)

Business & Computer Science
International Business (BBB)
Leadership and Management (BOH)
Financial Accounting (BAF)
Computer Science (ICS)
Communication Technology (TGJ)

Math
Mathematics Fundamentals (MPM)
Advanced Equations (MHF)
Data Management (MDM)
Calculus and Vectors (MCV)

Science
Science (SNC)
Physics (SPH)
Chemistry (SCH)
Biology (SBI)

Arts & Social Sciences
Media (ASM)
Visual Arts (AVI)
Vocational Studies (CHV)
Civics (GLC)
Future Planning (GWL)

* It is divided into ESL subjects and academic subjects and consists of more than 300 subjects.
* Some courses can be replaced with transfer credits.