High school in Canada usually ends at Grade 12 and lasts three to five years, depending on the province and on where that province draws the line between middle and secondary school.
- Ontario: Secondary school covers Grades 9 to 12, four years. Students need 30 credits for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
- British Columbia: Secondary schools commonly enrol Grades 8 to 12. The graduation program itself covers Grades 10 to 12 and requires 80 credits for the Dogwood Diploma.
- Alberta: Senior high school covers Grades 10 to 12. The Alberta High School Diploma requires a minimum of 100 credits.
- Quebec: Secondary school runs from Secondary I to Secondary V and ends after the equivalent of Grade 11. The diploma requires 54 credits from Secondary IV and V, and most students then attend CEGEP before university.
- Typical ages: Students are usually about 14 when they start Grade 9 and 17 or 18 when they finish Grade 12.
Please note: Grade groupings can differ between districts in the same province, so confirm the grades offered by the specific school.
Official sources: Ontario: High school graduation requirements · British Columbia: Graduation requirements · Alberta: High School Diploma graduation requirements
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