Online Learning Requirement

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• students who are 16 or 17 years of age and have withdrawn from parental control 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