The School
Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements
Ontario students must earn the following compulsory credits to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD):
18 Compulsory Credits
4 credits in English*
3 credits in Mathematics
2 credits in Science
1 credit in Canadian History
1 credit in Canadian Geography
1 credit in the Arts
1 credit in Health & Physical Education
1 credit in French as a second language
0.5 credit in Career Studies
0.5 credit in CivicsPlus one credit from each of the following groups:
1 additional credit in English, or French as a second language, or a Native language, or a Classical or an International Language, or Social Sciences and the Humanities, or Canadian and World Studies, or Guidance & Career Education, or Cooperative Education**1 additional credit in Health & Physical Education, or the Arts, or Business Studies, or Cooperative Education**
1 additional credit in Science, or Technological Education, or Cooperative Education**
In addition to the compulsory credits, students must complete:
12 optional credits***
40 hours of community involvement activities
the provincial literacy requirement*A maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy development (ELD) may be counted towards the 4 compulsory credits in English, but the fourth must be a credit earned for a Grade 12 compulsory English course.
**A maximum of 2 credits in Cooperative Education can count as compulsory credits.
***May include up to four credits achieved through approved Dual Credit courses.
In addition, as part of the OSSD requirements, students must complete 40 hours of community involvement activities. These activities may be completed at any time during their years in the secondary school program and, unless there are extraordinary special circumstances, students are required to have completed them prior to their arrival at Neuchâtel Junior College and to provide appropriate documentation for inclusion in the OSR.
As well, as part of the OSSD requirements, all students must successfully take the literacy test for secondary schools (OSSLT) as prescribed by the Province of Ontario. Students normally take this test when they are in Grade 10, and, unless there are extraordinary special circumstances, students are required to have successfully taken the test prior to their arrival at Neuchâtel Junior College.
Entrance to university requires the successful completion of the 30 credits, at the appropriate level (University or University/College Preparation) comprising the OSSD. Nevertheless, most students at Neuchâtel Junior College will have acquired more than the minimum 30 credits comprising the OSSD when they graduate.
Quebec Students
Students from Quebec qualify for entrance into Neuchâtel Junior College once they have obtained Le Diplôme d’Études Secondaires. Students who successfully complete four Grade 12 courses are eligible to receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD); however NJC requires that Quebec students take seven courses in the full-year program. This is important for students who are interested in an accelerated route to university in Quebec (or elsewhere) and wish to bypass the CEGEP system.
Entrance to most universities requires the successful completion of seven Grade 12 credits, one of which must be English, as well as Le Diplôme d’Études Secondaires. Of the seven Grade 12 credits undertaken at NJC, students must ensure that they meet the specific prerequisite requirements of the university program to which they intend to apply.
In addition, as part of the OSSD requirements, students must complete 40 hours of community involvement activities. These activities may be completed at any time during their years in the secondary school program and, unless there are extraordinary special circumstances, students are required to have completed them prior to their arrival at Neuchâtel Junior College.
As well, as part of the OSSD requirements, all students must successfully take the literacy test for secondary schools as prescribed by the Province of Ontario. Quebec students take this test while at NJC.
Canadian Students Outside of Ontario
& Quebec and International Students
Canadian students outside of Ontario & Quebec, as well as International students, may attend NJC either in their final year of high school to obtain their Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or following graduation from high school for a year or semester of enrichment to further prepare for university.
Entrance to most universities requires the successful completion of six Grade 12 credits, one of which must be English. Of the six Grade 12 credits undertaken at NJC, students must ensure that they meet the specific prerequisite requirements of the university program to which they intend to apply.
Students who have already graduated from high school may, if they obtain six Grade 12 credits at NJC, use these credits to qualify for university entrance. Students should, however, confirm the requirements of academic eligibility with the registrar of the universities they wish to attend.
In addition, as part of the OSSD requirements, students must complete 40 hours of community involvement activities. These activities may be completed at any time during their years in the secondary school program and, unless there are extraordinary special circumstances, students are required to have completed them prior to their arrival at Neuchåtel Junior College.
As well, as part of the OSSD requirements, all students must successfully take the literacy test for secondary schools as prescribed by the Province of Ontario. Students from outside of Ontario take this test while at NJC.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement is designed to provide rigorous university/college level curriculum for motivated students in their last years of high school. Neuchâtel sees this program as a natural extension of its strong tradition of university placement in North America. In some cases, NJC will offer a dedicated AP approved course in select subject areas. Enrichment year students are required to take at least one AP.
The College Board designs the program in conjunction with high schools, colleges, and universities. AP examinations are written in May of each year. After the examination, students submit their grades to universities and may qualify for university credit prior to enrolment, or advanced placement.
Popular AP exam choices in recent years have included:
Art History / Studio Art: Drawing
Calculus AB
Chemistry
English Literature & Composition
English Language & Composition
European History
French Language & French Literature
German Language
Government & Politics: Comparative
Human Geography
Physics C: Mechanics
Following the AP examination period, students return to class for preparation for end of year internal final examinations in June.
For further information on the AP Program go to apcentral or, for Canadian universities’ AP policies, go to www.ap.ca
