To graduate high school in Ontario, the requirements involve earning 18 compulsory Ontario high school credits and 12 optional credits. Yet, for some students, courses offered at their high school seem limited, don’t adhere to their learning style, or simply don’t seem interesting enough. When one is presented with such conditions, how else can they earn their diploma in a way that fulfills their learning needs?
Luckily, there are extracurricular options that allow students to earn their high school credits with more autonomy on how they want to learn. Such entails e-learning through a publicly-funded institution, online courses from virtual private high schools, and dual credit programs.
1. Online Publicly-funded Institutions
Students seeking affordable and accessible means to earn high school credits can turn to online publicly-funded institutions. Some institutions don’t require any tuition fees. They provide high school students the chance to earn credits at their own pace while offering guidance and career counseling. The online options for publicly-funded institutions available to students are the following:
Avon Maitland District Elearning Centre (AMDEC): AMDEC is an online secondary school regulated by the Avon Maitland District School Board. They offer features like career counseling and the option for students to complete courses at any time between September and February. However, students must be enrolled in their current high school to register.
Independent Learning Centre (ILC): As Ontario’s largest online high school, ILC continues to provide online Ontario Secondary School Diploma courses. Students at ILC can begin their classes anytime, having up to 10 months to complete any of the offered 144 courses.
OpenSchool: OpenSchool, part of the Adult and Continuing Education program with Trillium Lakelands District School Board, offers continuous entry online classes approved by the Ministry. The curriculum’s single-subject focus enables students to accelerate their progress and transition to the next course at their convenience.
Virtual Learning Centre: VLC, the oldest online school in Ontario, offers both asynchronous and live, online classes following the semester system. Students can engage with teachers and peers through real-time classes and extra-curricular activities like chess, debate, and student newspaper.
Yet, online publicly-funded institutions can have limited program development and curricula due to state-imposed budget constraints. Nevertheless, the schools mentioned above offer base educational subjects like Arts, Geography, English Writing (Composition). Continue reading to learn about some other ways to earn math high school credits not offered by these institutions.
2. Virtual Private High Schools
Virtual private high schools are an excellent option for students seeking diverse high school credit courses. These institutions typically allow students to start online OSSD-credit courses at any time, along with more freedom in completing assignments and final exams. With 24/7 access and a flexible environment, students can complete online courses in as little as 4 weeks or within 12 months. These schools provide over 100 Ontario Curriculum courses, spanning subjects from Art and Music to Science and Social Studies.
These courses are globally accepted by universities and colleges and are available for all high school grade levels. In certain virtual private high schools, there is even an option for extracurricular schooling that provides personalized academic support. However, virtual private high schools, with their extensive offerings, come at a higher cost, ranging from $450 to $600 CAD per course for Canadian/permanent-resident students. For international students, course fees are typically even higher, often doubling the regular rates, ranging from $600 CAD to well over $1300 CAD. Regardless, they are a great way to learn through a wholesome school experience while earning high school credits.
3. Dual Credit Programs
Dual credit programs are excellent for students looking to get a head start on college, university, or apprenticeship training. Through these programs, students can earn high school credits that also count towards a postsecondary diploma, degree or apprenticeship certification. Students simultaneously enroll in high school and allocate weekly study time to a postsecondary institution or apprenticeship, gaining valuable experience for their future education or career path. Dual credit programs allow students to explore their interests and experience various career paths, all while earning required school credits.
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With options such as those listed above, students can complete the requirement of Ontario high school credits, giving them more freedom in high school and their learning experience. If you require support in mathematics towards attaining math high school credits, feel free to reach out to us at MathProject by calling 1-844-628-4243! For more information on booking a free assessment or enrolling in a specialized math program in Mississauga, Brampton and Oakville, visit our website at https://mathproject.ca/.
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