Understanding Homeschooling in Ontario: Laws, Credits, and Resources

Guide to Homeschooling in Ontario

Guide to Homeschooling in Ontario provides a clear roadmap for parents choosing to educate their children at home under Ontario regulations. In Ontario, homeschooling is recognized under the Education Act: a child may be excused from school attendance if they receive “satisfactory instruction at home or elsewhere”. You can teach your child at home instead of sending them to a public or private school. However, there are a few key steps and requirements to ensure everything is legal and that your student can earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) if they desire. This guide covers how homeschooling works in Ontario, the relevant laws and policies, how to track courses, and how to earn high school credits online.

Legal Requirements and Ontario Homeschool Laws

Homeschooling in Ontario is fully legal and governed by Ontario’s Education Act. Section 21 of the Act explicitly excuses a child from attending school if they receive satisfactory home instruction. To formalize this, Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 131 (Ontario’s direction to school boards) recommends that parents send an annual written “Notice of Intent to Home School” to their local school board. This letter should include each child’s name, date of birth, and home address, and must be signed by a parent or guardian. Although this notice is a policy recommendation (not a law), most families follow it because school boards will formally recognize the child as homeschooled and excuse them from daily school attendance.

• Notifying the School Board: To start homeschooling, withdraw your child from their current school (if applicable) and send a brief letter of intent to your local school board. Include your child’s personal details and contact information. The board will acknowledge your letter and consider your child excused from public school that year. If your home address changes or you start homeschooling a new child, notify the board accordingly.
• No Mandatory Curriculum or Reports: In Ontario, parents are not legally required to follow any particular curriculum or file progress reports. The province is considered a “no-report” jurisdiction. This means homeschoolers don’t have to submit lesson plans, progress reports, or work samples to the school board. You can choose how, when, and what your child learns, using any resources you like. (That said, it’s wise to keep some records or portfolios for your reference and in case a school board inquiry arises.)
• Optional Testing: Homeschooled children in Ontario are not required to take standard grade tests (such as the EQAO assessments or the Grade 10 literacy test) to advance to higher levels. Parents may choose to have their child participate in these tests, but it is not mandatory. Your child won’t be held back for lack of a test grade. The only testing requirement linked to the OSSD is the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), which homeschooled students can take once they have sufficient Grade 10 course credits (usually in Grade 10 English).
• No Government Funding or Tax Credits: Ontario does not provide special funding or tax credits for homeschool families. Homeschooling is funded privately by parents. The upside is that there are no government curriculum mandates or oversight beyond the notice requirement.

Planning Your Homeschool Program

One of the strengths of homeschooling in Ontario is flexibility. You can tailor education to your child’s needs:

• Curriculum Choices: You are not obligated to follow the Ontario curriculum, but it is available for free if you want a guideline. Many parents loosely follow Ontario curriculum guidelines (available at the Ministry of Education website) to ensure a seamless transition back to the public system if needed. Others use literature-based units, online resources, community programs, or create their course of study. Ultimately, what you teach at home is your choice, as long as it is “satisfactory instruction” (essentially equivalent to the public standard).
• Satisfying “Satisfactory Instruction”: The law does not define “satisfactory,” but it generally means your child is learning age-appropriate literacy and numeracy skills. If a school board suspects a home education program is seriously lacking, it can initiate an inquiry. Parents in good faith with a reasonable plan (e.g. covering basic subjects, some reading/math activities, etc.) will almost always be considered satisfactory. To be safe, have a basic plan or schedule, and keep samples of your child’s work or a summary of activities done each year. This is rarely requested but provides peace of mind.
• Subject Coverage: In elementary grades, ensure your child learns to read, write, do math, and has exposure to science, social studies, arts, and physical activity. As children age, you may add world languages, technology, etc. In high school, homeschoolers can take various courses – from math and science to history, the arts, and more. The key is choosing resources (textbooks, online courses, tutors, or hands-on projects) that cover learning outcomes suitable for your child’s level.
• Record-Keeping (recommended): Even though Ontario does not require official records, it’s wise to maintain simple records: a portfolio of completed work, a log of courses/topics covered, and any tests taken (if you choose them). These records help if you ever need to return to school or enroll in post-secondary education. For high-schoolers aiming for an OSSD, keeping a completed course transcript is essential.
• Community Involvement and Literacy: For high school students pursuing an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, remember the non-credit OSSD requirements: 40 hours of community service and passing the OSSLT (literacy test. You and your teen can plan volunteer activities to meet those 40 hours. Many organizations welcome young volunteers (libraries, animal shelters, camps, etc.). The OSSLT can be scheduled through your local school board or as part of an Ontario Online learning program.

Earning High School Credits and the OSSD

The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requires completing 30 credits (courses), with specific compulsory subjects and elective choices, plus the literacy and community service requirements. For homeschoolers, earning those credits means enrolling in accredited courses or programs.

• Accredited Online High Schools: The Ontario Ministry of Education allows private online high schools to issue credits toward the OSSD. Your homeschooled teen can sign up for courses at a ministry-approved online school. Canadian Virtual School (CVS) is one such fully accredited private online school (BSID #882250). CVS offers Ontario curriculum courses for Grades 9-12 that count as official credit toward the OSSD. Using an accredited online school ensures the courses meet provincial standards, and the Ministry will recognize the credit.
• Independent Learning Centre (ILC): Ontario’s official distance education centre is the ILC (part of TVDSB). Homeschooled students can register for ILC courses to earn credits. Each course has assignments and exams; passing them grants a credit. Check the ILC site for enrolment deadlines and options. ILC is a flexible option for homeschoolers wanting structured courses.
• Distance Education or Tutoring: Some homeschoolers may take courses through other private distance schools or via exam/testing. For example, a student could study a subject with a tutor or independently and then write the provincial exam to earn the credit. However, this approach requires careful planning; enrolling in an accredited distance course is usually simpler.
• No “Home School Diploma” for OSSD: If your student only studies independently without accredited courses, they cannot receive a government-issued OSSD. They would instead have a private homeschool certificate/diploma if the family issues one. Only accredited programs grant credit for the Ontario diploma.
• Canadian Virtual School (CVS) Program: Canadian Virtual School specializes in helping homeschoolers and other students earn OSSD credits online. CVS’s curriculum aligns with Ontario standards, and experienced Ontario-certified teachers provide instruction and grading. The Homeschool Students program at CVS is designed specifically for families doing home education. Through CVS, students can take one or multiple courses, move at their own pace, and earn the official credits needed for high school graduation.

Benefits of Online High School for Homeschooling

Online high school courses offer a flexible bridge between home education and the formal curriculum. Here are some advantages:

• Accredited & Flexible: Accredited online schools like Canadian Virtual School provide courses that the Ontario Ministry of Education recognizes. This means the credits you earn are as valid as those from a brick-and-mortar school. And because it’s online, students can learn from home on their schedule.
• Support and Structure: For homeschoolers unsure about teaching advanced subjects, online courses supply structured lessons and certified teachers. CVS courses include video lessons, interactive assignments, and direct support from educators. This frees parents from teaching every subject while still ensuring high-quality instruction.
• Customizable Pace: Students can often start courses at multiple points during the year and work faster or slower, suiting their needs. This is especially useful for gifted students who want to finish classes quickly or those who need more time on challenging topics.
• Technology and Multimedia: Online courses use digital tools, videos, quizzes, and virtual labs that can make learning engaging. This variety can enhance subjects that might be harder to teach at home without resources (like science experiments or foreign language conversation practice).
• Record of Learning: Online schools automatically track course completion, grades, and transcripts. For a homeschooler, this provides an official record of secondary learning – essential if transferring to a traditional school later or applying for college/university.
• Social Opportunities: Many online schools offer clubs, group projects, and discussion boards where students can interact with peers. Homeschooled teens can thus connect with others who have similar interests, providing a social and collaborative element.

“Using an online high school like Canadian Virtual School, many families find they get the best of both worlds: the freedom of homeschooling combined with the credibility and support of accredited courses.”

Getting Started: Steps to Homeschool in Ontario

1. Decide to Homeschool: Talk as a family about the homeschool plan. Consider how you will handle various subjects and if you will use any programs (like CVS) for course credits.
2. Notify Your School Board: Send your local public school board an annual letter of intent before the school year begins. Include each child’s details (name, birthdate, address) and state you will homeschool. Keep a copy for yourself.
3. Create a Basic Plan: Sketch out how you will cover subjects and spend daily time. By law, you don’t need an official detailed plan, but having one helps you stay organized.
4. Gather Curriculum Resources: Choose learning materials. You might use textbooks, online courses (e.g., CVS courses for high school), workbooks, and community programs. Ontario’s secondary curriculum guidelines are available for reference, but you can mix and match subjects.
5. Enroll in Accredited Courses (if needed): If you have a high-school student planning to pursue an OSSD, enroll them in accredited courses for any required credits. For example, sign up for CVS online courses in the needed subjects. Canadian Virtual School’s registration page makes it easy to start.
6. Teach and Document: Follow your plan, teach lessons, and track progress. Even though Ontario doesn’t require it, keep samples of work or notes on completed activities. This is helpful at parent-teacher meetings (if any) or if deciding to return to school later.
7. Complete OSSD Requirements: As courses finish, ensure your teen fulfills the 40 community service hours and writes the literacy test (usually by Grade 10). CVS Guidance counsellors or your local school board can advise on scheduling the OSSLT.
8. Reassess Each Year: Review the following year’s goals each spring or summer. Submit another letter of intent for the new school year. Adjust your curriculum and course plan based on your child’s interests and needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Ready to Get Started?

Ontario’s homeschooling offers families freedom and flexibility while ensuring children meet educational standards. You can create a rewarding home-learning environment by following Ontario’s simple requirements – notifying the school board and providing solid instruction. For high school students, remember that accredited online courses are key to earning your OSSD.

Canadian Virtual School (CVS) is here to help. As a fully accredited online Ontario high school, CVS offers flexible courses aligned with the provincial curriculum. Homeschool students can enroll individually in the credits they need or join the Homeschool Students program for additional support. Our experienced teachers guide learners every step of the way.

Please take the next step: Explore our Homeschool Students page to learn how CVS supports home-educated students. When ready, visit our CVS Registration page or contact us directly. Our admissions team can answer your questions and help your student begin their online courses.

Embrace the best of homeschooling and online learning. Canadian Virtual School is excited to be part of your child’s education journey, helping them earn their high school credits and achieve their Ontario Secondary School Diploma – all from the comfort of home.