Secondary
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) provides students with an individual pathway to their program of choice at the top universities in the world!
Through our Secondary Program, students can achieve an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) which provides students with an individual pathway to their program of choice at top universities around the world!
Our Secondary Program consists of our Middle School (Grades 7 and 8) and our High School (Grades 9 through 12). Our Middle School section is designed to create a smooth transition from Elementary to Secondary. Students in Grades 7 and 8 have a rotary system where they travel with their homeroom to specialized subject teachers throughout the day. Our Guidance Counsellors also work closely with our Middle School students by preparing activities for them to complete throughout the year that encourage them to think about High School and course selections.
The Secondary Program’s foundation of learning is built upon the strengths of the Ontario, Canada curriculum. It is a world-class curriculum that has consistently demonstrated success in the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) for many years. As a leader in education, students who are successful in completing all of the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) have opportunities for direct admissions to the top universities around the world. More information can be found in our University Pathways section.
Our exceptionally well qualified teachers in the Secondary Program ensure that all students get to where they want to be. Our program of study is academically rigorous, but flexible enough to allow students to focus on the areas of study they want to pursue after high school graduation. We offer our students a variety of courses, particularly the senior grades, in order to meet their individual strengths and interests.
Beyond academics, students benefit from a friendly, supportive learning environment, and we take great pride in our positive school community. We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities such as clubs, interschool teams, and leagues. Extra-curricular activities allow students to get active, meet friends, and contribute to both the local and global community.
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OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma)
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is recognized by universities around the world for direct admission. At DSC, students in Grades 9 to 12 work with our Guidance Counsellors to develop an individualized program to ensure students gain their credit courses that lead to the OSSD.
The Ontario Ministry of Education awards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma to all students who meet the graduation requirements.
OSSD Requirements:
30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 elective)
A passing score on the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)
40 hours community service
All courses offered at DSC are academic-focused in order to best prepare our students to gain direct admission to the top universities globally.
Course List (Grade 9 – 12)
We offer a broad range of courses from a variety of subject areas to meet student interests, aptitudes, and post-secondary destinations.
THE ARTS
Drama
Visual Arts
BUSINESS STUDIES
Accounting
Business Leadership
Entrepreneurial Studies
Information and Communication Technology in Business
Information and Communication Technology: The Digital Environment
Introduction To Business/International Business
Marketing
CANADIAN AND WORLD STUDIES
Civics and Citizenship
Economics
Geography
History
COMPUTER STUDIES
Computer Science
CO-OP PROGRAM
Creating Opportunities through Co-op
ENGLISH
English
Media Studies
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course
GUIDANCE AND CAREER EDUCATION
Career Studies
Learning Strategies 1: Skills for Success in Secondary School
Leadership and Peer Support
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Healthy Active Living Education
Introductory Kinesiology
MATHEMATICS
Calculus and Vectors
Foundations of Mathematics
Functions and Applications
Functions
Mathematics of Data Management
Mathematics
Principles of Mathematics
SCIENCES
Biology
Chemistry
Earth and Space Science
Physics
Science – Academic
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
Challenge and Change in Society
Food and Culture
Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology
Philosophy: Questions and Theories
TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION
Communications Technology
Exploring Technologies
Technological Design
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
English as a Second Language
LANGUAGES
Chinese (Putonghua)
French
Japanese
OSSD+ Signature Programs
DSC International School is dedicated to preparing students to get into the program and career pathway of their choice. The OSSD+ Signature Program provides an enhanced, rigorous academic framework that aligns with their interests, passions, and goals.
The purpose of the OSSD+ Signature Program is to promote specialized academic discipline, enhanced community outreach and leadership development, real-world experiences, and career mentorship through work placements.
Completion of the OSSD+ Signature Program is an excellent capstone to the High School experience and provides an enhanced, rigorous academic framework that aligns student interests, passions, and goals.
Higher Education and Pathways
After completing our Secondary Program and having met all the graduation requirements, our students are awarded the globally recognized and valued Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). With this diploma, university opportunities are truly endless.
In 2019 – 2025, we achieved a 100% University Acceptance Rate. Our Higher Education and Pathways Advisors have assisted our graduating students in shortlisting the best universities based on academics and interests with many of them entering the top 100 universities worldwide.
Individual Pathways
The OSSD provides the flexibility to meet each and every student’s interests and requirements for entrance into their university of choice.
Individual pathways means that there are many options so students can select a program of study which both interests them and prepares them for post-secondary studies. A great benefit of the OSSD is both its depth and breadth of courses of study. While students are required to complete 18 compulsory courses in order to gain knowledge and skills in a diverse array of subjects, these courses are mostly completed by Grade 11. Therefore, for students in Grade 11 and 12, there is a tremendous amount of choice for students when selecting courses. This allows for students to focus on specific courses that are prerequisites for their desired university programs. For example, if you are interested in studying Business, we offer seven specific Grade 11 and 12 courses to select from; if you are interested in the Social Sciences, you can select from seven courses; the Sciences, again, seven courses! There is great flexibility in choice to truly meet the individual pathways and university requirements of each and every DSC student.
Community Connections
Making connections through volunteer work within the community is very important. The purpose of community involvement is to reinforce civic responsibility, strengthen the community, and develop a positive self-image. Volunteering is also a great way to gain experience, build up one’s resume for university entrance, and become a well-rounded person. As part of the OSSD requirement, students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service. Our Guidance Counsellors work with students to find suitable placements so that students can meet this graduation requirement.
In addition, during our Experiential Learning Week, students travel to different destinations where they are not only learning about cultures, but they also have the opportunity to work towards their community service hours on various service projects.