SSD REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to complete 30 course credits to be eligible for High School Diploma(SSD).
This includes 18 compulsory and 12 elective credits. 40 hours of community involvement and passing Secondary School Literacy Test (SSLT) are other requirements of the SSD. International and out of province students will require credit equivalency assessment for their high school work and earned credits in their own country or province. PEACADEMI Principal will assess students’ transcript and school records to determine the number of credits granted and how many more credits needed to be eligible for SSD. The maximum number of course credits to be transferred is 24 out of 30. Our students who want to apply for Canadian universities will be offered six courses.
Receiving the six courses will also give great advantages when students apply for international universities. These are recognized by reputable universities and colleges all over the world.
Secondary School Diploma (SSD) Requirements
What you need to graduate
To earn a high school diploma, students must:
- earn 18 compulsory credits
- earn 12 optional credits
- pass the literacy requirement
- earn at least two online learning credits
- complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities
1- Compulsory credits
Students must earn the following 18 compulsory credits to get their Secondary School Diploma:
- 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)
- 3 credits in mathematics (at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
- 3 credits for group 1, 2 and 3 courses (1 credit in each group)
- 2 credits in science
- 1 credit in Canadian history (Grade 10)
- 1 credit in Canadian geography (Grade 9)
- 1 credit in the arts
- 1 credit in health and physical education
- 1 credit in French as a second language
- 0.5 credit in career studies
- 0.5 credit in civics and citizenship
Group 1, 2 and 3 compulsory credits
Of the 18 compulsory credits, students must complete one from each of the following groups:
Group 1:
- English (including the Secondary School Literacy Course) or French as a second language
- Native languages
- First Nations, Métis, and Inuit studies
- classical studies and international languages
- social sciences and the humanities
- Canadian and world studies
- guidance and career education
- cooperative education
- American Sign Language as a second language
- Langue des signes québécoise langue seconde
Group 2:
- health and physical education
- the arts
- business studies
- French as a second language
- cooperative education
- American Sign Language as a second language
- Langue des signes québécoise langue seconde
Group 3:
- science (Grade 11 or 12)
- technological education
- French as a second language
- computer studies
- cooperative education
- American Sign Language as a second language
- Langue des signes québécoise langue seconde
The following conditions apply to compulsory credit selections from the above three groups:
In groups 1, 2, and 3, a maximum of two credits in French as a second language can count as compulsory credits, one from group 1 and one from either group 2 or group 3.
Students who have taken Native languages in place of French as a second language in elementary school may use a Level 1 or 2 Native languages course to meet the compulsory credit requirement for French as a second language.
A maximum of two credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits, selected from any of the above three groups.
English as a second language (ESL) and English literacy development (ELD)
Students who are English language learners may count up to three credits in ESL or ELD towards the four compulsory credits in English. The fourth credit must be a Grade 12 compulsory English course.
2- Optional credits
Students must earn 12 optional credits by successfully completing courses offered in their school’s program and course calendar. Optional credits may include up to four credits earned through approved dual credit programs.
3- Literacy graduation requirement
All students must meet the secondary school literacy graduation requirement to earn their high school diploma. For most students, this means passing the Secondary School Literacy Test (SSLT). Students who do not successfully complete the SSLT have other opportunities to meet the literacy graduation requirement. Students can contact their school principal to find out about these options.
4- Online learning graduation requirement
Beginning with students that entered Grade 9 in the 2020-21 school year, students must earn at least two online learning credits to get their Secondary School Diploma.
The online learning graduation requirement also applies to adult learners that will be entering the secondary school system starting in 2023-24 school year.
5- Community involvement hours
Students working towards their SSD should make sure they meet the community involvement graduation requirement of 40 hours in time for their graduating year.
Students can start accumulating their community involvement hours in the summer before entering Grade 9.
Students who are looking for community involvement opportunities should:
- make sure they know which activities qualify for the community involvement requirement
- check their school board’s website for a list of eligible and ineligible activities, as well as, resources to help them record hours and find volunteer activities
- visit the Volunteer Centre Network to find opportunities through a centre in their community
- ask their principal or guidance counsellor for more information
If approved by your school’s principal, students may count the following towards their community involvement hours:
- up to 10 hours of paid employment if a student is 14 years or older and completes a reflection exercise demonstrating how their work contributed to their community
- community involvement during school time, for example, walking a younger child to and from school or helping younger siblings with school work
- duties normally performed at home, for example, helping an elderly relative with errands or providing after school care for a sibling
The community involvement requirement is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop awareness and understanding about civic responsibility. Students can actively participate in supporting and strengthening their communities.
It also provides the opportunity for students to learn more about themselves and possible career opportunities.