Online Learning

Online Learning Graduation Requirements

The Ministry of Education will require secondary students to earn two online learning credits as part of the requirements to graduate with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), beginning with students who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-2021 school year.

The Online Learning Graduation Requirement as outlined in Policy/Program Memorandum 167 is intended to support students in developing familiarity with learning in an online environment, as well as developing digital literacy and other important transferable skills that they will need for success in their selected post-secondary pathway. The online learning courses will be conducted entirely online by a certified Ontario educator. Taking an eLearning course/credit allows students to access courses that may not be available at their home school and provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable life-long learning skills.

2022-2023 Online Learning Graduation Requirements for Grade 9-12 Students

Entering Grade 9 and Grade 10 in September 2022 or later: students are required to earn two online learning credits prior to graduating.
Entering Grade 11 in September 2022: students are required to earn one online Learning credit prior to graduating. Note: Remote learning during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic (Spring 2021) has already provided the second required course/credit.
Entering Grade 12 in September 2022: there is no mandatory online learning requirement for graduation.

Online Learning Program Expectations

To learn more, please visit the Online Learning Program Expectations webpage.

Online Learning Graduation Requirements Frequently Asked Questions

What is online learning? What credits are eligible?

Online learning courses/credits, also known as “eLearning” courses or credits, are Grade 9 to 12 credit courses that are delivered entirely using the internet and do not require students to be physically present with one another or with their educator in the school. Learning in online courses takes place asynchronously, meaning the students and teachers do not need to be online at the same time. Teachers may offer optional virtual meeting support and drop-in times. There are no mandatory virtual meetings.

The course is teacher led, which means the teacher provides instruction, ongoing feedback, assessment, evaluation, and reporting as needed, including implementing any accommodations and/or modifications identified in the student’s Individual Education Plan. Students from the same online class may follow different timetables and be from different schools or school boards. Students are expected to access the course and submit work each week as outlined by the class due dates.

Ineligible credits

Credits that shall not count towards the online learning graduation requirement include those earned through:

in-class learning
blended learning and flipped classrooms (where students are in class or face-to-face with their teacher most of the time)
remote learning (where students have mandatory virtual meetings as part of their regular schedule) OR hybrid learning (where some students were in class and other students joined the class virtually)

When can I earn online learning credits?

Online learning credits can be earned any time while you are in high school. Grade 8 students also have an opportunity to reach ahead and earn an online credit the summer before they begin Grade 9. If you have already taken an online (eLearning) credit in day school or summer school, then this credit will count toward your requirement.

If your course is an out of board course, then www.wcdsb.ca/students – Click on D2L

Look for the My Courses in Other orgs section on the page