Diploma Requirements

In order to award the Canadian High School Diploma program, students must earn a total of 30 credits.

A credit is defined as a 110-hour course in which the expectations laid down and will be monitors by CWS inspectors.

Out of the 30 credits, eighteen of the credits are compulsory, earned in courses from a list of subjects that every student must take. Twelve of the credits are optional, earned in courses that the student may select from the full range of courses offered by the CWS World schools.

CWS Students must also complete 40 hours of Community Involvement Activities and must pass the Canadian National Literacy Test, which is normally taken in Grade 10. This test is a test of literacy of all students and it is a standardized test that applies to all students in Canada who are studying Grade 10 level.

CWS students will have a choice to receive their High School Diploma in person.  Each CWS may be invited to attend graduation ceremonies and awards of their High School Diplomas in Canada. The process of obtaining a Canadian visitor visa will be facilitated by the CWS immigration department for an appropriate legal fee.

High School Diploma Requirements:

Compulsory Credits (total of 18):

• 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)*
• 3 credits in mathematics (1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
• 2 credits in science
• 1 credit in Canadian history
• 1 credit in Canadian geography
• 1 credit in the arts
• 1 credit in health and physical education
• 1 credit in French as a second language
• 5 credit in career studies
• 5 credit in civics

Plus one credit from each of the following groups:
Group 1:

• English or French as a second language**
• a Native language
• a classical or an international language
• social sciences and the humanities
• Canadian and world studies
• guidance and career education
• cooperative education***

Group 2:

• health and physical education†
• the arts
• business studies
• French as a second language**
• cooperative education***

*A maximum of 3 credits in English as a second language (ESL) or English literacy development (ELD) may be counted towards the 4 compulsory credits in English, but the fourth must be a credit earned for a Grade 12 compulsory English course.

**In groups 1, 2, and 3, a maximum of 2 credits in French as a second language can count as compulsory credits, one from group 1 and one from either group 2 or group 3.

***A maximum of 2 credits in cooperative education can count as compulsory credits.

†The 12 optional credits may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit courses.