Graduation Requirements
To graduate from a secondary school in Saskatchewan, students must complete at least 24 credits (courses) in various subject areas from Grades 10 to 12. The credit system is segmented into compulsory and elective courses, allowing students to customize their education according to their interests and future aspirations.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Education may grant credit for classes completed in another country, but in some cases, it is strongly recommended that the student complete these classes again in Saskatchewan.
Compulsory Courses
The core curriculum includes compulsory credits (e.g., English, Mathematics, and Science) that all students must earn to ensure they have a solid foundation of essential academic skills and a balanced educational experience.
Elective Courses
Elective credits allow students to explore areas of personal interest or potential career paths. These might include courses in Fine Arts, Practical & Applied Arts, Industrial Arts, Technology, Physical Education, or additional Sciences and Humanities. Academic advisors provide direct support to help students plan their high school courses. Advisors ensure students meet all necessary requirements while also taking advantage of elective courses that may offer specialization or advanced knowledge in fields of interest.
Additional Courses
Students in Saskatchewan can take more than 24 credits in high school. While 24 is the minimum requirement, many students exceed this number to explore their interests, enhance their skills in specific areas, or improve their qualifications for post-secondary programs.
University Eligibility
Although students need only 24 credits to graduate from high school, they should be sure to check which courses are required to apply for a specific university and program of study.
Students may also be required to prove proficiency in English language through a standardized assessment tool. These requirements vary for each institution, so students should be sure to check the requirements for each university to which they will be applying.
Insufficient Credits for Graduation
There are several potential pathways if a student is at risk of not accumulating 24 credits by the end of Grade 12. In fact, many local and international students take more than 3 years to graduate. Graduation is based strictly on credit attainment and not on grade placement. If a student arrives in Grade 11 or Grade 12, they may still take multiple years to complete all the required courses for graduation.
Summer School: Students can take face-to-face courses over the summer to obtain missing credits.
Online Courses: Students may take online courses upon being approved to do so by the Director of SIE. These are offered in specific circumstances only and dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Extra Semester or Year: Students might opt to stay in high school beyond the traditional timeframe.
Alternative or Adult Programs: Nutana Collegiate offers alternative scheduling (quarter system) that provides more flexibility to complete course credits.
For information on graduation plans, click the links below:
Post-secondary Schools in Saskatoon
