In Ontario, students typically attend secondary school for four years, from grades 9 to 12 in order to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students have the option of a fifth year if they would like to improve their 4U grades. The majority of our students study for two to three years in their home country before enrolling here at London International Academy (LIA).

ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMA (OSSD) REQUIREMENTS

In order to earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma a student must:

• Earn 18 compulsory credits (all students at LIA must complete ENG 3U, and ENG 4U)
• Earn 12 additional optional credits
• Complete 40 (or equivalent) hours of community involvement activities (international students studying in Ontario for only one year are only required to complete 15 hours).
• Successfully pass the Ontario Provincial Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), or the Literacy Course (OLC4O).

Compulsory Credits (total of 18)

Students must earn the following compulsory credits in order to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma:

• 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)
• 1 credit in French as a second language (see substitution policy below)
• 3 credits in Mathematics (at least 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
• 2 credits in Science
• 1 credit in Canadian History
• 1 credit in Canadian Geography
• 1 credit in the Arts
• 1 credit in Health and Physical Education
• .5 credits in Civics
• .5 credits in Career studies

Plus 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 language, or social sciences and the humanities, or Canadian and World Studies, or Guidance and Career Education or, Cooperative Education.
• 1 additional credit in Health and Physical Education, or the arts, or business studies, or Cooperative Education.
• 1 additional credit in science (Grade 11 or 12) or Technological Education, or Cooperative Education.

Optional Credits (total of 12)

In addition to the 18 compulsory credits, students must earn 12 optional credits by successfully completing courses selected from the courses offered by the school.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIVERSITY APPLICATION

A student applying to university must have a minimum of 6 Grade 12 university preparation courses. No more than two of the Grade 12 courses can be at the “M” level for university acceptance. The majority of universities accept only one “M” level course.

For college admission, and in light of past experience with students applying to college, London International Academy recommends the taking of no more than two Grade 12 “M” level courses.

COURSE LOAD

Under Immigration law, a Visa student must be enrolled in full time study. Grade 12 university preparation students can take four credits in the fall and winter semester and two in the spring semester. Students wishing to take fewer or more credits must seek approval from the Principal.

ENGLISH and MATH PLACEMENT POLICY

All students will write an English Proficiency Placement Test and Math Placement Test upon arrival at LIA. The school will then place the student in an appropriate level Math and English course. ESLDO, ESLEO, ENG3U/C or 4U/C. English 4U/C must be successfully completed before an OSSD can be issued. LIA will provide an uninterrupted English program until English proficiency is sufficient to handle the academic program at university.