Online High School for Adults: Can You Get Your Diploma as a Mature Student?

Online High School for Adults – Earn Diploma Easily! If you’re a mature student who never finished high school, you might be wondering: Can you get your diploma as an adult? The great news is yes – it’s absolutely possible. More and more Canadians are returning to school through online high school for adults programs​. With flexible learning options and support tailored for adult learners, you can finally earn that Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and open new doors in your career and life. This friendly guide will explain how online high school works for adults, why getting your diploma matters, and how Canadian Virtual School (CVS) can help you succeed every step of the way.

Why Go Back for Your High School Diploma as an Adult?

Returning to school may feel daunting, but there are huge benefits to finishing your high school diploma as a mature student:

• Better Job Opportunities: Many jobs require at least a high school diploma. Having an OSSD increases your job opportunities and helps you earn more money​ in fact, people without a diploma earn only about 80% of what high school graduates earn, on average​. Completing high school can significantly boost your lifetime earnings and employment prospects.
• College and Apprenticeship Access: If you plan to attend college, university, or an apprenticeship program, an OSSD is often a must-have. Adult learners who get their diploma can meet prerequisites and have far more post-secondary options​
• Personal Achievement: Earning your diploma as an adult is a tremendous personal accomplishment. It can improve your self-esteem and serve as a positive example for your family. Many adults feel proud to finally “close the chapter” by graduating high school.
• Career Advancement: Already employed? A diploma could qualify you for promotions or new roles. Employers value the dedication it takes for an adult to complete high school. It shows commitment and perseverance.
• Life Changes: Sometimes life events—like switching careers or immigrating to Canada—create a need for a Canadian high school diploma. Finishing your OSSD opens up new possibilities, whether it’s a better job, further education, or simply achieving a long-held goal.

Bottom line: It’s never too late. The Ontario government notes that “more and more adults are going back to school” to earn certificates, diplomas and degrees​.

With today’s online learning options, returning to school is easier and more flexible than ever for adult learners.

What Is an Online High School for Adults?

An online high school for adults is exactly what it sounds like – a secondary school program delivered via the internet, designed to help adult learners complete courses and obtain a diploma. Canadian Virtual School (CVS) is a leading example: it’s a private online high school in Ontario offering OSSD credits (Grades 9–12). Here’s what that means for you:

• Accredited OSSD Credits: CVS and similar schools are inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education and authorized to grant credits toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma​. This ensures that any credits or diploma you earn online are legitimate and recognized by employers, colleges, and universities. Your diploma from an accredited online school is the same OSSD issued by any public high school.
• Adult-Focused Learning: Online high schools for adults tailor their approach to mature students’ needs. Courses are self-paced and flexible, recognizing that adult learners often juggle work, family, and other responsibilities​. There’s no need to sit in a physical classroom with teenagers; you can study from home on your own schedule.
• Grade 9–12 Courses Available: Whether you need one course or twenty, online schools offer the full range of high school courses (grade 9 through 12). You can take only the credits you’re missing, or enroll in a complete diploma program. If you previously earned some high school credits, you won’t have to redo them – you’ll just complete the remaining required credits online.
• Continuous Enrollment: Unlike traditional schools with set semesters, many online programs allow continuous enrollment. This means you can start courses any time of year. You don’t have to wait for September; if you’re ready now, you can begin now.
• Support and Resources: A good online high school provides real teacher support, guidance counselors, and resources to help adults succeed. Even though it’s online, you’re not on your own – teachers answer questions, grade assignments, and guide you through the material, just like in a regular classroom.

In short, an online high school for adults is a flexible, accredited pathway to earn your high school diploma later in life. It offers the convenience of distance learning with the credibility of an official OSSD program. Now, let’s look at how you can get your diploma through this path.

Online High School for Adults: Steps to Get Your Diploma

Earning your high school diploma online as a mature student may be easier than you think. Here are the typical steps to get your OSSD through an online program:

1. Assess Your Credits and Needs: Start by figuring out what credits you already have. Locate any old high school transcripts or report cards. In Ontario, an OSSD normally requires 30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 elective)​, plus the literacy and community service requirements. Don’t worry if that sounds like a lot – as an adult, you likely qualify for certain exemptions or credits for prior learning (more on this below).
2. Choose an Accredited Online School: Research a reputable, Ministry-inspected online high school that offers the courses you need. Ensure it grants OSSD credits. Canadian Virtual School is one such school, and there are others like TVO ILC (the government’s Independent Learning Centre) and various private online schools. Choosing an accredited program is crucial so that your diploma will be recognized.
3. Plan Your Courses (Credit Counselling): After enrolling, you’ll typically consult with a guidance counselor or academic advisor. They will review your transcript and identify which credits you still need to graduate. For mature students, schools often perform a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) to grant credit for knowledge and life experience. Through PLAR, you can earn up to 26 of the 30 credits required for an OSSD based on prior learning! This means you might only need to complete as few as 4 courses (the remaining credits) to get your diploma. The advisor will also check which compulsory credits (like English, math, science) you must have and whether you’ve met requirements like the literacy test. They’ll help create a graduation plan tailored for you.
4. Register and Start Classes: Once you know your path, you’ll formally register for the needed online courses. (At CVS, you can register online quickly and begin right away.) Each course will have an online classroom with lessons, assignments, and assessments. You study at your own pace – accelerating when you have time, or slowing down if you’re busy. For example, you might complete a course in 4-12 weeks if you work intensively, or take a few months if balancing other responsibilities. This flexibility is ideal for adult learners.
5. Complete the OSSD Requirements: As you finish each course, you earn that credit. If you had to do the Ontario Literacy Requirement, you’ll either write the OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test) or take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O) online to satisfy that requirement. (Mature students are allowed to take the literacy course instead of the test). Similarly, for the 40 hours of community involvement, many online students can arrange volunteering in their community; however, principals have discretion to reduce or waive the 40-hour volunteer requirement for mature students​. Your school can guide you on this – often adult students with work experience may not need to complete all 40 hours.
6. Graduate and Get Your Diploma: After you’ve fulfilled the credit requirements, passed your courses, and met the literacy and any adjusted community hour requirements, you’re ready to graduate! The online school will issue you an official Ontario Secondary School Diploma. You’ll receive a physical diploma and/or transcript proving you are now a high school graduate. Congratulations – you did it!

Following these steps, many adults manage to earn their diplomas within a year or two, depending on how many courses they need and their pace. Some motivated students who only need a few credits can even finish in a matter of months. It’s truly never too late to complete high school, and doing it online makes the process convenient.

Flexibility and Benefits of Earning Your Diploma Online

Why choose an online high school as an adult, rather than night school or other adult education classes? Here are some key benefits of the online route for mature students:

• Learn on Your Schedule: Online courses let you study whenever it suits you – whether that’s early morning, late at night, or on lunch breaks. This is perfect if you’re working a job or caring for family. You don’t have to attend class at set times. You set your own schedule and pace.
• Study from Anywhere: Geographic location isn’t a barrier. You can be anywhere in Ontario (or even outside the province) and complete your OSSD online​. Rural students, busy parents, or those who move frequently all benefit from being able to log in from home. No commuting to a school needed!
• No Age Pressure: In an online program, you won’t feel out of place. All your classmates are virtual (often a mix of teens and adults), and you interact mostly with your teacher one-on-one. Many adults appreciate the privacy and comfort of learning online, without sitting next to teenagers in a physical classroom.
• Self-Paced Learning: As an adult learner, you might progress faster through some material (thanks to life experience) and slower in other subjects (perhaps you’ve been out of school for a while). Online high school is typically self-paced – you can move as quickly or slowly as you need within the course timeline. If you grasp a unit easily, you can complete it and move on. If you need extra time on another unit, you can take that time. This personalized pacing is a huge advantage over rigid class schedules.
• Continuous Enrollment & Faster Graduation: Because you can start anytime and study year-round, you might finish sooner than in traditional adult programs. There’s no wait for a new semester. For example, you could start three courses in the fall, finish them by winter, take three more, and possibly graduate by the spring or summer. You control the pace of graduation.
• Individual Support: Online does not mean you’re left alone. Quality programs like CVS have certified teachers who provide feedback and help. You can email or message teachers whenever you have questions. Some schools even offer virtual tutoring or live help sessions. The support is there when you need it, in a more one-on-one manner than in crowded night school classes.
• Keep Working While Studying: Perhaps one of the biggest benefits – you can work full-time (or part-time) while finishing high school. There’s no need to quit your job or sacrifice income. You complete coursework during your off hours. This flexibility makes it financially feasible for many adults to go back to school.
• Tailored for Success: Online high schools understand adult learners often bring a wealth of knowledge. Course activities might allow you to draw on real-life experience. And if it’s been years since you were in school, don’t worry – programs are designed to help you gradually refresh your skills. You’ll also find that earning credits online builds your digital skills (like using online tools), which is an added bonus in today’s tech-driven world.

In short, an online program offers flexibility, comfort, and efficiency that traditional classrooms can’t match. It enables you to balance education, work, and family — a critical factor for adult students. As one example, the Government of Canada highlights that with today’s technology and e-learning options, “it is easier than ever to go back to school”​ for your diploma. Online high school exemplifies that ease.

Meeting OSSD Requirements as a Mature Student (OSSD, PLAR & More)

You might be curious (or even anxious) about the Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements and how you’ll meet them as an adult. Let’s break down what you need for an OSSD, and how it’s adjusted for mature students:

• 30 Credits (18 Compulsory + 12 Optional): A standard OSSD requires 30 high school credits. Compulsory credits include subjects like English, Math, Science, Canadian History, etc., while optional credits can be courses of your choice. The good news is that as an adult, you won’t necessarily have to earn all 30 from scratch. Any credits you earned back in high school count. Plus, the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process can grant you equivalency credits for knowledge gained outside school. Through PLAR for mature students, you can get up to 16 Grade 9/10 credits and 10 Grade 11/12 credits (total 26) based on your life and work experience​s. For example, if you didn’t formally complete Grade 10, but you’ve since gained the knowledge/skills in core subjects, you can be awarded those credits without taking the courses. This dramatically reduces the number of courses you need to take. In most cases, a mature student must earn at least 4 credits through actual courses (usually at the Grade 11/12 level) to ensure you’re meeting current curriculum standards​. A guidance counselor at the online school will help arrange the PLAR assessments. Don’t worry – this isn’t a scary exam; it’s a series of evaluations of your prior learning (sometimes review tests or assignments in key subject areas) to give you credit where credit is due.
• Literacy Requirement: Ontario requires all students to demonstrate literacy (reading and writing ability) to graduate. This is typically done by passing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), usually written in Grade 10. As an adult student, you have the option to bypass this test and instead complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC)​. The OSSLC is a full-credit course that, once passed, fulfills the literacy requirement. Many mature students prefer the course, as it is instructional and helps refresh your reading/writing skills while meeting the requirement. CVS offers the OSSLC (course code OLC4O) online, so you can conveniently satisfy this requirement if you haven’t already.
• Community Involvement (Volunteer Hours): Normally, students must complete 40 hours of community service. However, for mature students, this requirement can be adjusted. Principals have the authority to determine how many (if any) volunteer hours a mature student must complete, anywhere from 0 to 40 hours​. In practice, if you have significant work or community experience, schools often waive or reduce the required hours, recognizing that you’ve already been an active, responsible member of society. If you do need to complete some hours, you can often count things like helping at a community center, volunteering at your child’s school event, or other community activities you may already do. The key is to discuss this with your school; they will guide you and may require documentation of any hours completed.
• New “Online Learning” Requirement: Ontario recently introduced a requirement that students complete at least two online learning credits as part of the 30 credits. If you’re doing your diploma through an online high school, this naturally takes care of itself! All your credits will be online, so you will easily meet this requirement.
• Prerequisites: Some courses have prerequisites (for example, Grade 12 English requires completion of Grade 11 English). Your guidance counselor will help ensure you take courses in an order that works, or that you get prerequisite waivers if appropriate, especially if you demonstrate the knowledge through PLAR. Online schools often have policies for mature students to obtain prerequisite waivers when prior experience suffices.

Overall, Ontario’s education system provides flexibility for mature students to meet diploma requirements. The combination of PLAR credits, the OSSLC option, and principal discretion on volunteer hours is designed to acknowledge that adult learners have different backgrounds than teenagers. This means you won’t be unfairly held back by requirements that don’t make sense for someone returning to school later in life. For example, one Ontario school board explicitly notes that principals can set the community involvement hours for a mature student between 0 and 40 hours at their discretion and that mature students can proceed directly into the literacy course without first attempting the test. The goal is to provide you with a clear path to graduation.

The key takeaway: Don’t be intimidated by the OSSD requirements. An accredited online high school like CVS will guide you through them and apply all the mature student allowances available. Many adult students are pleasantly surprised to find out they have far fewer courses to complete than expected, thanks to PLAR and credit transfers. You might be much closer to graduating than you think!

Canadian Virtual School: Your Partner in Adult Education

Choosing the right school is crucial to your success. Canadian Virtual School (CVS) prides itself on being an ideal choice for adult learners in Ontario. As a leading private online high school that’s fully accredited for OSSD credits, CVS offers:

• Proven Credibility: CVS is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education and authorized to grant OSSD credits, ensuring your diploma is legitimate. You can be confident that colleges and employers will accept your credits and diploma.
• Flexible, Self-Paced Courses: All courses at CVS are self-paced within a generous time frame. This is perfect for busy adults. You won’t be rushed through material nor held back by a set class pace. You make progress on your own terms.
• Continuous Enrollment: CVS allows you to enroll anytime. Whether it’s January, July, or October, you can start your first course immediately when you’re ready. There’s no need to wait for a new semester.
• One-on-One Teacher Support: Our certified teachers understand the needs of mature students. They provide timely feedback on your assignments and are available to answer questions throughout your course. You’ll receive encouragement and guidance, so you never feel alone in your learning journey.
• Guidance for Mature Students: From the moment you reach out, CVS’s guidance counselors are ready to help map out your path to graduation. We even have a dedicated Mature Students page with information and resources. Advisors will help with transcript evaluations, PLAR applications, and course selection tailored to your goals (whether it’s simply getting the diploma, or meeting specific prerequisites for a college program).
• Fast-Track Option: In a hurry to graduate? CVS offers a Fast Track option (for example, you can opt for faster assignment grading and support) to help you accelerate course completion. This is great for adults working under deadlines (like an upcoming college admission cycle or job requirement).
• Affordable and Convenient: No commuting costs, and no need to buy expensive textbooks (many courses use online resources). The tuition for online courses is a worthwhile investment in your future – and remember, as an adult you may qualify for the federal tuition tax credit or even employer education benefits to help with costs. Plus, consider the opportunity cost: getting your diploma can lead to better-paying jobs, making it a smart financial decision long-term.
• Community and Support Services: Just because you’re studying online doesn’t mean you can’t have a community. CVS often connects students via discussion boards or virtual events. You also have access to technical support and administrative help whenever needed (for example, help with registering for an exam or obtaining transcripts).

CVS’s mission is to see you succeed. Many of our adult learners go on to college or new careers after earning their diploma. We understand the challenges you face and are committed to providing a supportive, flexible, and engaging learning experience. If you’re ready to take the next step, we encourage you to reach out! (See our easy registration page to get started.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Online High School for Adults

Ready to Earn Your Diploma? Take the Next Step!

Embarking on the journey to finish high school as an adult is a courageous and rewarding decision. With flexible online high school for adults programs and supportive schools like Canadian Virtual School, that long-awaited diploma is finally within your reach. Whether you need one credit or ten, whether you’re 19 or 59, CVS is here to help you succeed. Imagine holding your OSSD in hand – a proud graduate opening up a future of new opportunities. It all starts with a single step: reach out and enroll. Visit our website, explore our courses, and don’t hesitate to contact our team with any questions. We’re excited to be your partner in this educational journey. The sooner you begin, the sooner you’ll be celebrating your graduation. Your diploma awaits – let’s make it happen!

Ready to get started? Enroll with Canadian Virtual School today and take control of your future.