Students need to complete the following components in order to graduate from high school:

• 30 Credits (2 courses should be E-learning, Opt out forms available)

• Community Involvement hours, and

• The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test.

Check out the sub-pages on the sidebar to read more about each of these.

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) measures whether or not students are meeting the minimum standard for literacy across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. Successful completion of the literacy test is one of the requirements to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

For more information click here.

Link for tracking volunteer hours:

2023 Community Hours Tracking Sheet

Eligible Activities

• Service clubs: run celebrity games, special events and walk-a-thons

• Sports/recreation: coach children; volunteer refereeing in charity games; run special olympics and summer games; be a leisure buddy

• Community events: assist with winter carnival; organize parades and fall fairs

• Environmental projects: participate in community cleanup, tree planting and recycling programs

• Volunteering for seniors: help with crafts or reading; remove snow and clean up homes and yards

• Community projects: help at food banks and hospitals; provide support services for the housebound or the disabled; participate at humane societies

• Religious activities: organize youth activities; teach or help with children’s programs and classes; lead special events, assist with clerical tasks

• Committees: take a role on advisory boards, neighbourhood associations and regional associations

• High school: participate in tutoring; organize fund-raising, environmental projects, and special events approved by the principal

• Clubs and youth organizations: volunteer in or lead activities organized by these groups

• Children/youth: help at drop-in centres, breakfast clubs, after-school and march-break programs; help in summer games, playgrounds, camps and

• Child-care centres arts/culture: assist in galleries, libraries, theatres, museums and heritage sites

• Student proposals: take leadership roles or assist with civic projects

Ineligible Activities
An ineligible activity is an activity that:

• is a requirement of a class, course, or program in which the student is enrolled (e.g., cooperative education course, experiential learning activities)

• takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day. However, an activity that takes place during the student’s lunch breaks or “spare” periods is permissible

• contravenes the minimum age requirements to work in or visit a workplace stated in regulations made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act

• contravenes any other applicable legislation, regulation or policy

• contravenes the policies and procedures of the organization that is supervising the student’s community involvement activities

• would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace

• involves the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding

• involves the administration of any type or form of medication or medical procedure to other persons

• involves handling of substances classed as “designated substances” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act

• requires the knowledge of a tradesperson whose trade is regulated by the provincial government

• involves banking, the handling of securities, or the handling of valuable items such as jewellery, works of art, or antiques

• consists of duties normally performed in the home (i.e., daily chores) or personal recreational activities

• involves activities for a court-ordered program (e.g., community-service program for young offenders, probationary program)

• involves activities that promote discrimination, harassment, or puts the safety of the student or others at risk.
  The Ministry of Education provides direction for the Community Involvement Hours Requirement of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma
  through Policy (PPM) 124. For more information on this, please go to https://www.ontario.ca/document/education-ontario-policy-andprogram-direction/policyprogram-memorandum-124. Students and families can also refer to the UGDSB Website for updates on Community Involvement Hours at: