Achieving Your Diploma:
Graduation Guidelines
Achieving Your Diploma: Graduation Guidelines
Graduation requirements vary depending on which diploma type is applicable to individual students. Equivalency and maturity credits may also be an option for mature students.
An individualized plan is developed under the guidance of Student Services staff. This plan is developed to help students meet their educational/career goals and to ensure that students are able to earn a high school diploma.
St. Nicholas Adult High School issues a graduation transcript in the same month that the final graduating requirements are met. Students are invited to attend a formal ceremony in June.
Diploma Requirements
Diploma Requirements
Ontario Schools (OS)
Ontario Secondary Schools (OSS)
This is for students who entered high school in September 1999 and later, or for mature students who entered the Ontario system from out-of-country or province after February 1, 2004.
30 Credits
OS and OSS Credits Breakdown (18 Compulsory and 12 Elective Credits)
18 Compulsory Credits:
- 4 English (one per grade).
- 1 French as a second language.
- 3 Mathematics (at least one credit in grade 11 or 12).
- 2 Science.
- 1 Canadian History.
- 1 Canadian Geography.
- 1 Arts.
- 1 Health and Physical Education.
- ½ Civics.
- ½ Career Studies.
- 1 additional credit in English, OR a third language, OR Social Science, OR Canadian and World Studies OR Guidance and Career Education OR Cooperative Education.
- 1 additional credit in Health and Physical Education, OR Business Studies, OR the Arts OR French as Second Language OR Cooperative Education.
- 1 additional credit in Technological Education OR Science (grade 11 or 12) OR Computer Studies OR French as a Second Language OR Cooperative Education.
+ 12 Elective Credits
Students must successfully complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test OR the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O). Students must complete 40 hours of community service. Mature students may be eligible for equivalency credits through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition.
Ontario Schools Intermediate and Senior Division (OSIS)
This is for mature students enrolled in an Ontario secondary school program before September 1999.
30 Credits
OSIS Credits Breakdown (16 Compulsory and 14 Elective Credits)
16 Compulsory Credits:
- 5 English (2 at senior level).
- 2 Mathematics.
- 2 Science.
- 1 French.
- 1 Canadian History.
- 1 Canadian Geography.
- 1 Arts.
- 1 Business Studies/Technology.
- 1 Physical Education.
- 1 Senior Social Science.
+14 Elective Credits
Mature students may be eligible for maturity or equivalent credits for training/education completed outside of an Ontario high school setting.
Secondary School Graduation Diploma (SSGD)
This is for mature students who were enrolled in an Ontario secondary school program before September 1, 1984.
27 credits
SSGD Credits Breakdown (12 Compulsory and 15 Elective Credits)
12 Compulsory Credits:
Grades 9-10
- 2 English.
- 2 Mathematics.
- 1 Science.
- 1 Canadian History.
- 1 Canadian Geography.
Grades 11-12
- 2 English.
- 3 credits from each of the four areas: Communication, Social and Environmental Studies, Pure and Applied Sciences, Arts.
+15 Elective Credits
Mature students may be eligible for maturity or equivalent credits for training/education completed outside of an Ontario high school setting.
(OS) – Ontario Schools
(OSS) – Ontario Secondary Schools
For students who entered high school in September 1999 and later, or for mature students who entered the Ontario system from out- of- country or province after February 1, 2004.
30 credits
18 compulsory credits:
- 4 English (one per grade)
- 1 French as a second language
- 3 Mathematics (at least one credit in grade 11 or 12)
- 2 Science
- 1 Canadian History
- 1 Canadian Geography
- 1 Arts
- 1 Health and Physical Education
- ½ Civics
- ½ Career Studies
- 1 additional credit in English, or a third language, or Social Science, or Canadian and World Studies or Guidance and Career Education or Cooperative Education
- 1 additional credit in Health and Physical Education, or Business Studies, or the Arts or French as second language or Cooperative Education
- 1 additional credit in Technological Education or Science (grade 11 or 12) or Computer Studies or French as a second language or Cooperative Education
12 elective credits
Students must meet successfully complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test or the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O). Students must complete 40 hours of community service. Mature students may be eligible for equivalency credits through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition.
(OSIS) – Ontario Schools Intermediate and Senior Division
For mature students who were enrolled in an Ontario secondary school program before September 1999.
30 credits
16 compulsory credits:
- 5 English (2 at senior level)
- 2 Mathematics
- 2 Science
- 1 French
- 1 Canadian History
- 1 Canadian Geography
- 1 Art
- 1 Business Studies/Technology
- 1 Physical Education
- 1 Senior Social Science
- 14 elective credits
Mature students may be eligible for maturity or equivalent credits for training/education completed outside of an Ontario high school setting.
(SSGD) – Secondary School Graduation Diploma
For mature students who were enrolled in an Ontario secondary school program before September 1, 1984.
27 credits
12 compulsory credits:
- Grade 9/10
- 2 English
- 2 Mathematics
- 1 Science
- 1 Canadian History
- 1 Canadian Geography
- Grade 11/12
- 2 English
- 3 credits from each of the four areas:
- Communication
- Social and Environmental Studies
- Pure and Applied Sciences
- Arts
15 elective credits
Mature students may be eligible for maturity or equivalent credits for training/education completed outside of an Ontario high school setting.