Online learning, graduation requirement and opt out options 

Students are required to earn two online learning credits to graduate from secondary school, beginning with every student who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-21 school year. The online learning graduation requirement also applies to adult learners that will be entering the Ontario secondary school system starting in the 2023-24 school year. The graduation requirement is intended to support students in developing familiarity and comfort with learning and working in a fully online environment, as well as developing digital literacy and other important transferable skills that they will need for success after secondary school, including in post-secondary education and the workplace. 

Opting out of the online graduation requirement

Parents/guardians may choose to opt their children out of the mandatory online learning credits required for graduation. To opt out, a parent/guardian must submit the Secondary Online Learning Graduation Requirement Opt-out Form. Exemption from the online learning graduation requirements may be requested by: 

• the parent/guardian of the secondary student 

• students who are 18 years of age or older 

• students who are 16 or 17 years of age and have withdrawn from parental control 

The opt-out form can be completed digitally at the SCDSB website (link provided below) or parents can speak with their child’s guidance counselor.  Parents/Guardians will need their child’s Ontario Education Number (OEN) in order to complete the form. This can be found on a previous report card or on the student portal under quick lookup.

For more information, please visit:

https://www.scdsb.on.ca/secondary/planning_for_high_school/online_learning_graduation_requirement

Opt Out Form:

https://www4.scdsb.on.ca/app/Questionnaires/SCDSB/ELEARNING_OPT_OUT