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Career and Pathways Planning

Graduation Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma

(OSSD)

To earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), students must obtain:

Ontario Secondary School Certificate

(OSSC)

The Ontario Secondary School Certificate is granted to students who complete a minimum of 14 credits, 7 compulsory credits, and 7 optional credits.

Students are not required to pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Requirement or the 40 hours of community service.

Certificate of Accomplishment

(CA)

Students who leave secondary school and do not meet the Ontario Secondary School Diploma criteria may be granted a Certificate of Achievement.

This certificate can be useful for students who intend to take additional training courses or who are entering the world of work.

  • Minimum age of 18
  • Less than 14 credit and non-credit courses

Community Involvement Hours

Community involvement is designed to equip students with the opportunity to actively participate in supporting and enhancing their communities. They will gain awareness and understanding about civic duty and have the opportunity to build and reflect on themselves.

Students can begin accumulating their 40 hours in the summertime before grade 9.

Looking for community involvement opportunities?

  • Check with your school for a list of eligible and ineligible activities, as well as resources to help record hours and find volunteer activities.
  • Visit the Ontario Volunteer Centre Network to find opportunities through a centre in their community.
  • Ask your principal or guidance counselor for more information.

Post-Secondary Education & Career Planning

College and University Programs

Research programs at Ontario’s colleges and universities at OntarioColleges.ca and Ontario Universities’ Info.

Students interested in applying to a college or university out of province are encouraged to talk with their guidance counselor. The application process and requirements for fees, due dates, and supplemental information vary by institution.

Interested in Apprenticeship?

Find information about how to start an apprenticeship. Visit ApprenticeSearch.com to help guide you through the apprenticeship process.

Planning to work after high school?
Employment Options provides a full range of employment services, including job search strategies.

Community Living
Find out more at Community Living Ontario for students with intellectual disabilities.

Applying to College and University?

Students will apply through these websites:

Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC) – University applications

Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) – College applications

Scholarships, Awards, Bursaries, and Loans

Planning for post-secondary education begins prior to graduation. Students should research destinations and investigate financial assistance.

Students can also visit the Ontario School Counsellors’ Association (OSCA).

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides financial aid including grants and loans.

myBlueprint & Individual Program Planning (IPP)

myBlueprint is a career planning program that is user-friendly, interactive and allows students to plan and select high school courses, track progress toward graduation, and explore occupations and opportunities for students after high school. Students can also build their own personal portfolio using the myBlueprint tool.


myBlueprint provides students in all pathways with an opportunity to:

  • Showcase their plans, growth, and progress
  • Explore career opportunities
  • Research post-secondary pathways

What does it offer?

  • 6 assessment tools for self-exploration
  • Course planning and tracking
  • Post-secondary exploration
  • Career awareness
  • Budgeting tools

How do I log in?
Student access instructions from an iPad and computer. Parents can also set up an account using the steps outlined in Family setup guide.

Please contact your Guidance Counsellor for further information.