Academic Guidance
Key Focus Areas
Curriculum Enhancement: We continuously collaborate with our exceptional teaching staff to update and enhance our teaching materials (based on the Ontario curriculum as provided by the Ministry of Education), ensuring it remains both challenging for students, as well as engaging and relevant.
University and College Readiness: We are committed to preparing our students for their future pursuits through regular career guidance and meetings (beginning as early as grade 9). We also invite the country’s top universities and colleges into the school every Fall for question and answer sessions.
Extracurricular Opportunities: We offer a diverse range of after school clubs that promote personal growth, teamwork, and leadership skills. We are active members of the EcoSchools community, and also focus on mental and physical wellness through weekly yoga and meditation classes.
Open Dialogue: Effective communication is at the heart of our school’s success. Our academic coordinators are here to support both students and parents, welcoming your feedback and concerns. They are always available, through every part of the student’s journey with Keystone, for virtual or in-person meetings. Each staff member at Keystone has an open-door policy and is devoted to student wellbeing and security.
Graduation Requirements
Our Academic Coordinators assist all students, beginning in grade 9, with academic planning to ensure that they are working toward all of the graduation requirements at the outset of their academic journey.
In order to obtain their diploma, students must complete:
- 17 Compulsory credits
- 13 Optional credits
- 2 Online Learning Credits
- 40 hours of community service
- OSSLT
30 Credits
- 4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)
- 3 credits in Mathematics (Grade 9, Grade 10 and 1 credit in Grade 11 or 12)
- 2 credits in Science
- 1 credit in Technological Education (Grade 9 or Grade 10)
- 1 credit in Canadian History (Grade 10)
- 1 credit in Canadian Geography (Grade 9)
- 1 credit in the Arts
- 1 credit in Health and Physical Education
- 1 credit in French as a Second Language
- 0.5 credit in Career Studies
- 0.5 credit in Civics and Citizenship
- 1 credit from the STEM-related course group
Chosen from Keystone’s course offerings and calendar.
For more information, please visit the Ministry of Education website here.
OSSLT
The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is a compulsory standardized test for secondary school students in Ontario who wish to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The OSSLT is written twice a year in all public, private and Catholic secondary schools in the province of Ontario.
Community Service
Every student must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as part of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
The purpose of the community involvement requirement is to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play and the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities.
Postsecondary Planning
The post-secondary planning and guidance process, led by our principal and independent career counsellors, empowers each student to assess their own interests and capabilities while developing an independent perspective on their future after high school. Students complete a career assessment upon arrival at Keystone, and an individualized education plan is created. We review and update this plan on an ongoing basis to reflect each student’s evolving goals and aspirations. Administration, teachers, and guidance counsellors work collaboratively to provide resources and a supportive environment. Our guidance counsellor offers dedicated support for students and families through the university search process to ensure that each student is equipped to make well-informed choices about their postsecondary pathways.
Every year, we organize visits to various universities for our students experience campus life firsthand and engage directly with current students. Representatives from universities and colleges also regularly visit our campus to deliver information sessions, followed by one-on-one meetings with students.
IB World School
Keystone School is proud to be an IB World School authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). At Keystone, students can pursue the full IB Diploma Programme or take a few IB courses. Learn more about our IB Diploma Programme.
Where do Keystone graduates go?
Learn where Keystone School graduates continue their academic journeys. Our graduates are accepted into top universities worldwide, pursuing diverse fields of study. Explore how Keystone’s comprehensive education prepares students for success in higher education and beyond.
Discover more about Keystone School graduates’ destinations.
News & Updates
Stay informed with the latest news and updates from Keystone School. From student achievements to upcoming events and exciting developments, this page keeps you connected to everything happening within our school community.
