Key Takeaways
- Students who started Grade 9 in 2020–21 or later need at least 2 online learning credits to earn the OSSD, unless they opt out.
- Only fully online courses count. Blended, flipped and live remote courses do not.
- Credits from any school authorized to grant OSSD credits count, including Ministry-inspected private schools.
- A parent, or a student aged 18 or older, can opt out at no academic penalty.
- Students who began Grade 9 in 2025–26 or later also have a new financial literacy requirement starting this school year.
What the Requirement Says
Ontario’s Ministry of Education sets out the rule in Policy/Program Memorandum 167 (PPM 167). It starts with the cohort that entered Grade 9 in the 2020–21 school year. Each of those students must earn at least two online learning credits as part of the 30 credits needed for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
The province says the goal is to build digital literacy and comfort with online work before students move on to college, university or a job. The two credits are not extra courses. They are two of the 30 credits a student already takes, delivered online instead of in a classroom.
Who It Applies To
The requirement covers:
- High school students who entered Grade 9 in 2020–21 or later
- Adult learners who entered the Ontario secondary school system in 2023–24 or later
- Students at public and Catholic boards, Ministry-inspected private schools and other credit-granting schools
Students working toward an Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC) or a Certificate of Accomplishment don’t have to meet it. They can still take online courses if they want to.
Which Courses Count
Eligible Credits
A course counts when it is delivered entirely over the internet and students don’t need to be physically present with classmates or the teacher. Schools may still require students to attend in person for final exams or to access devices and support services.
Credits can be earned at any point during high school, including in summer. In exceptional cases, a Grade 8 student can “reach ahead” and take a high school course with parental consent and a principal’s permission.
Courses That Don’t Count
- In-person courses, even ones that use laptops or digital tools in class
- Blended courses that mix classroom and online time
- Flipped classrooms, where content is online but practice happens at school
- Remote learning with minimum live (synchronous) class requirements
There is one exception. Students who were in Grade 9 during the April to June 2021 school closures can count one credit earned remotely in that period.
Where You Can Earn Online Credits
Public and Catholic school boards offer e-learning at no cost to their enrolled students. These courses are funded through the provincial education system, which includes the education portion of property tax bills. Our guide to Ontario property tax increases in 2026 explains how that portion fits into your bill.
Private online schools are also an option. PPM 167 states that all online credits earned at a school authorized to offer OSSD credits may count toward the requirement. That includes Ministry-inspected private schools, each of which has a ministry-issued Board School Identification Number (BSID).
Can Private Online School Credits Help?
Private credits can help when an e-learning course is full, clashes with a student’s timetable, or isn’t offered at their school. Some Ontario-based online schools sell individual Grade 9–12 credit courses that students can take alongside day school. One example is Canadian World Schools (CWS), a Richmond Hill school that lists itself as Ministry-inspected.
Before enrolling anywhere, take two steps:
- Confirm the school’s inspection status.
- Check with your guidance office that the credit will be recorded on your transcript as an online credit.
Private courses charge tuition, so compare costs against the free board options first.
How to Opt Out
The requirement applies by default, but it is not meant to be a barrier to graduation. Any of these people can request an opt-out:
- A parent or guardian
- A student who is 18 or older
- A student aged 16 or 17 who has withdrawn from parental control
The opt-out form goes to the school that holds the student’s Ontario Student Record (OSR). Once it is processed, the transcript shows “Online Learning Graduation Requirement – Non-Applicable.” There is no academic penalty, and families can opt back in later. Some boards set an annual cut-off date for opting out, often tied to course selection in late winter, so check your board’s timeline.
What Else Is New for 2026–27
Students who started Grade 9 in 2024 or later follow an updated credit structure:
- 17 compulsory credits
- 13 optional credits
- One of the compulsory credits must come from a STEM-related course group
- 40 volunteer hours and the literacy requirement still apply
Students who began Grade 9 in 2025–26 or later must also meet a new financial literacy requirement, which takes effect this school year. It is built into Grade 10 Career Studies:
- Students need at least 70% on the financial literacy modules.
- The modules count for 5% of the final Career Studies mark.
- Students get two attempts to pass.
Tips for Planning Your Two Credits
- Start early. Taking an online course in Grade 9 or 10 leaves room to adjust if a course is full later.
- Choose suitable subjects. Courses like Career Studies, Civics or Grade 11 and 12 electives often suit self-paced learning.
- Use summer school. Summer e-learning frees up space in the regular timetable.
- Plan around work. Self-paced online courses can fit around part-time shifts, which matters more for teens taking extra hours after the Ontario minimum wage increase.
- Check your transcript. Ask your guidance counsellor to confirm each credit is flagged as an online credit.
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