Retake or Upgrade High School Courses Online in Ontario to Boost University Admission Grades
Quick Answer: In Ontario, retaking a high school course means completing the full Ontario curriculum course again to earn a higher final percentage or to earn the credit if it was not achieved. Upgrading typically means taking an approved course again (often in a flexible online format) to improve a previously earned mark. Both can support stronger OSSD results for post-secondary admission.
If a few course averages are dragging down your options for competitive university programs, you’re not stuck with them. Many Ontario students upgrade or retake specific OSSD courses—especially Grade 11–12 university preparation credits—to strengthen admission averages, meet prerequisites, or show improved readiness. This guide breaks down what each option means, when it makes sense, and how to choose the right path based on your goals.
What Does It Mean to Retake or Upgrade a Course?
Retaking or upgrading a high school course means giving yourself a second chance at a better grade in a course you’ve already completed. In simple terms:
- Retaking a course usually refers to enrolling in the full course again after you’ve completed it once (or if you didn’t pass it the first time). You’ll redo all the coursework, assignments, and evaluations, just as if you were taking it for the first time. This is common if you need to completely rebuild your understanding or if you originally failed to earn the credit.
- Upgrading a course (sometimes called a repeat course) refers to enrolling in a shortened version of a course after you have already passed it and earned the credit, but want a higher mark. Upgrade courses cover the same curriculum as the original, but often with a lighter workload or a focus on key assessments. This is possible because you’ve seen the material before. The goal is to improve your final grade without having to repeat every single lesson or assignment in full detail.
In both cases, you end up with a new grade that can replace or surpass your old one. Ontario’s education system encourages continuous improvement – meaning if you didn’t get the mark you needed the first time, you’re allowed to try again. When you retake or upgrade a course through an accredited online high school, you’ll earn an official mark that appears on your transcript and counts towards your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits.
How “Upgrade Courses” Work: In Ontario, upgrade courses are designed for students who already earned the credit but want a higher percentage. Typically, you must show proof (like a report card or transcript) that you completed the course previously. For example, if you passed Grade 12 English but got, say, 65%, you could enroll in an ENG4U upgrade course to aim for a better mark. Because you have prior knowledge, the course might allow you to skip some foundational assignments and focus on improving through key projects and the final exam. This makes the upgrade course faster to complete than a full course repeat, while still covering all major curriculum expectations.
Retake vs. Upgrade: If you failed a course or didn’t take it at all, you will need to retake the full course (since upgrade courses require a passing grade already on record). If you passed but want a higher mark, an upgrade course is your best bet. Ultimately, both paths lead to the same outcome: a second chance to achieve a grade that reflects your true potential.
Why Retake or Upgrade High School Courses Online?
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the extra effort to redo a course, consider the many benefits. Here are some compelling reasons why students choose to retake or upgrade their high school courses, especially through an online platform:
Boost Your University Admission Chances
University programs (especially in Ontario) are highly competitive. Admissions officers primarily look at your top Grade 12 U/M course grades when calculating your admission average. By upgrading a course mark from, say, a low 70s to an 80+ or 90, you can significantly raise your overall average. This can be the difference between getting accepted into your first-choice university program and missing the cut-off. When you retake a high school course online and achieve a better grade, you strengthen your transcript and make your application more competitive. Remember, universities typically consider your highest grade in a course – so improving that grade gives you a leg up in the admissions process.
Moreover, certain programs have specific grade requirements for prerequisite courses. For instance, an Engineering faculty might require at least 75% in Grade 12 Advanced Functions, or a Life Sciences program might demand a minimum 80% in Grade 12 Chemistry. If your first attempt fell short of those thresholds, upgrading the course ensures you meet the mandatory requirements for your desired program.
Qualify for Scholarships and Awards
Retaking courses to improve your marks isn’t just about getting into university – it can also help you earn scholarships. Many universities and external organizations offer entrance scholarships based on your high school average. For example, achieving an average of 85%+ or 90%+ in your top six 4U/M courses can unlock thousands of dollars in automatic scholarships at some schools. By upgrading a course from, say, 78% to 88%, you might push your overall average into scholarship territory.
Additionally, Ontario high schools award the Ontario Scholar designation to students who achieve an 80%+ average in six Grade 12 courses. If you’re sitting just below that benchmark, retaking a course for a higher mark could earn you this recognition. In short, improving your grades can literally pay off in the form of financial aid or academic honors – a strong motivation to give a course another try.
Solidify Your Knowledge and Skills
Education isn’t only about the numbers. Sometimes retaking a course is the best way to truly master the material. Perhaps the first time you took Grade 11 Physics or Calculus, you struggled to keep up and didn’t fully grasp key concepts. By taking the course again (especially in a more flexible online environment), you can fill in gaps in your understanding. This stronger foundation will not only boost your grade, but also prepare you better for the next steps in your education. For example, doing a second run of Grade 12 Chemistry and improving your comprehension could make your first year of a Science degree much easier.
Upgrading a course can also be about the love of learning. Maybe you got a decent mark in a subject, but you’re still curious or not satisfied with how well you understand it. Retaking the class can help you squeeze every ounce of knowledge out of your high school education. You might discover new insights or perspectives that you missed initially. In an online upgrade course, you often have access to enriching resources and can go at your own pace, which encourages deeper learning rather than just rushing for a grade.
Demonstrate Perseverance and Growth
Choosing to improve a grade shows initiative and resilience. Rather than accepting a disappointing mark, you’re deciding to put in extra work and strive for better. This is a powerful personal lesson in perseverance. It shifts your mindset from “I guess I’m just not good at this subject” to “I can get better with effort and the right strategy.” Educators often talk about the value of a growth mindset – the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Upgrading your course exemplifies that mindset.
While universities mainly focus on grades, they also value motivated and determined students. If the topic comes up (for example, in an application essay or interview), you can proudly explain that you recognized the need to improve and took action by retaking a course. This narrative highlights qualities such as self-motivation, accountability, and a willingness to overcome challenges – traits that will serve you well in post-secondary studies.
Improve Your Overall Average Strategically
Retaking or upgrading a course is also a strategic move to improve your overall average. In Ontario, universities often consider your top six Grade 12 U or M courses for admission. If you have more than six courses, they will simply pick the highest marks. This means you have some flexibility – you could add an extra course or improve an existing one to replace a lower mark. For example, let’s say you have six courses in the 70s and one additional course you scored 85 in; that higher mark can push out a lower one in the top-six calculation. By upgrading a couple of key courses, you ensure that your top six grades are as high as possible.
Some students even plan to take a seventh course (or more) so that there’s a “spare” mark to drop. If you didn’t do this during regular school, you can still take an extra course online after – either a new course or an upgrade of a past course – to boost your top-six average. The flexibility of online schools makes it easy to pick up another credit that can enhance your academic profile.
How to Retake or Upgrade High School Courses Online
Now that we’ve covered the “why,” let’s look at how you can actually upgrade your high school marks online. Enrolling in an online course to retake or upgrade is a straightforward process, and it offers the flexibility that traditional classrooms can’t always provide. Here’s what you need to know about getting started:
Choosing an Accredited Online School
First, you’ll want to select the right online school. It’s important to choose an accredited Ontario online high school – one that is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education and authorized to grant OSSD credits. This ensures that any course you complete will be recognized by universities and colleges. Canadian Virtual School, for example, is a private online high school in Ontario that meets these standards (meaning the credits you earn with us are as valid as those from any public school). When researching, look for a school with positive student reviews, qualified teachers, and course offerings that include the subject you need to retake.
You should also consider the school’s flexibility and support structure. One advantage of upgrading courses online is that reputable online schools allow continuous enrollment (meaning you can start a course at any time of year) and self-paced learning. Unlike a traditional day school or summer school, you won’t have to wait for the next semester or a specific July session – you can begin right away when you’re ready. Also, check that the school provides teacher support, whether via email, virtual meetings, or online tutoring, so you have guidance as you work through the material a second time.
Enrollment and Requirements for an Upgrade Course
Enrolling in an online course to upgrade your mark is usually as simple as filling out an online registration form and paying the course fee. However, there are a couple of extra steps to note if you’re taking an upgrade course (as opposed to a fresh course):
- Proof of Completion: Because upgrade courses require that you have completed the course once already, you’ll need to provide proof of your original attempt. Typically, you can upload or email a copy of your transcript, report card, or credit counselling summary showing the final grade and credit earned for that course. For example, if you’re signing up to upgrade Grade 12 Biology, you should submit documentation that you previously finished SBI4U and what your mark was. This step confirms your eligibility for the shorter upgrade version. (If you’re retaking after a failure, you may not have a credit, so in that case, you’ll enroll in the full course, and no proof is needed beyond prerequisite courses being done.)
- Prerequisites: Make sure you still meet all prerequisites. When retaking a course, the prerequisites would be the same as for your first attempt. Usually, if you passed it once, you obviously had the prerequisite. But, for instance, if you’re retaking Grade 12 English (ENG4U), you would need to have completed Grade 11 English (ENG3U). This isn’t an issue for upgrades since you’ve done it, but it’s worth double-checking if a long time has passed or if you are taking an entirely new course.
- Identification and OEN: Ontario students have an Ontario Education Number (OEN). If you’ve been in the Ontario school system, you’ll have one on your transcript. Online schools will ask for this to ensure your new credit is recorded properly on your official records. If you don’t have one (e.g., newcomers or international students upgrading to university), the school can often issue one during registration.
During registration, you may be asked whether the course is a repeat/upgrading attempt. Indicate “yes” so that the school knows to mark it appropriately on your records. Once you submit your documents and payment, you’ll be enrolled and typically granted access to the course’s online learning platform.
Flexible, Self-Paced Learning – Fast Tracking Your Course
One of the greatest advantages of taking an online upgrade course is the flexible pacing. You get to decide how fast or slow you complete the coursework, based on your personal schedule and goals. At Canadian Virtual School, for instance, courses are self-paced – meaning you can finish a course in as little as 3-4 weeks if you dedicate yourself full-time and move quickly, or you can spread it out over several months if you prefer a lighter workload alongside other responsibilities. There are no set class times, so you can study whenever it suits you – be it in the evenings, on weekends, or intensively during a holiday break.
Here’s how you can fast-track your course if you’re motivated to finish quickly:
- Develop a Study Plan: Upon starting the course, look at the number of units or modules and create a schedule. If a course has, say, 8 units and a final exam, and you want to finish in 4 weeks, plan to complete two units per week. Self-discipline is key, but the freedom to create your own timetable means you can work at the pace that gets you to your deadline.
- Leverage “Fast Track” Options: Some online schools offer a fast-track add-on or simply prioritize fast-moving students with quicker teacher feedback. For example, with an accelerated enrollment, teachers might grade your assignments within 1-2 days instead of a week. This ensures you’re never waiting long to move on to the next task. Check if your school offers expedited grading or intensive support for students on a tight timeline.
- Continuous Access: Since there are no semesters, you won’t be cut off if you need a bit more time. Most online courses allow up to 12 months to finish. So even if life gets busy, you can pause and resume your coursework as needed (just keep in mind university application deadlines if that’s your end goal). This open timeline removes a lot of pressure and is very helpful if you’re balancing school with a part-time job or other commitments.
Whether you choose to accelerate or take it slow, the key is that you are in control. This level of flexibility is virtually impossible in a traditional classroom setting, where you’re bound by term schedules and daily classes. Online learning empowers you to tailor the pace to your needs – a huge benefit when upgrading a mark because it allows you to optimize your learning and performance.
Support and Resources During Your Course
Upgrading a course online doesn’t mean you’re on your own. Quality online schools provide ample support to help you succeed on your second attempt. Expect certified Ontario teachers to guide you through the curriculum. You can usually contact your instructor via email or online messaging with any questions about the lessons or assignments. Many schools also offer one-on-one tutoring, discussion forums, or virtual office hours. Don’t hesitate to reach out – since your goal is to boost your grade, getting clarifications and feedback from your teacher is invaluable.
Additionally, make use of the resources provided: interactive lessons, video tutorials, practice quizzes, and study guides are often part of online courses. Some schools have libraries of supplementary tools or even blog posts with tips (for example, how to study effectively online, time management strategies, etc.). These can help you develop better study habits on your second go-around. The benefit of an online environment is that you can pause and replay videos, revisit challenging topics as often as needed, and really absorb the material at your own pace. This personalized learning approach often leads to a deeper understanding and better test performance.
Completing the Course and Updating Your Transcript
To successfully complete your retake or upgrade course, you’ll typically need to finish all required assignments and pass a final exam. The final exam in an online course often needs to be supervised by a proctor (some schools allow virtual proctoring or have other arrangements). Once you have completed everything, you will receive a final grade for the course.
Here’s what happens next:
- Report Card and Transcript: The online school will issue a report card for your course, and if it’s a credit-bearing school, they will also add it to your official Ontario Student Transcript (OST). If you are currently attending another high school, you can ask the online school to forward the record to your day school so that they update your OST with the new mark (especially important if you are still in grade 12 and applying to university through your day school). If you have already graduated, the private school that you took the course with can issue you an updated transcript showing the new credit and grade.
- Repeated Course Notation: On the transcript, a repeated course attempt in Grade 11 or 12 will be noted with an “R” denoting that the course was repeated. Don’t worry – this “R” is simply a record-keeping detail. For Grade 11 and 12 courses, both attempts will appear on the transcript, but only the higher mark counts as a credit earned. The lower attempt will show as an R (meaning no credit for that attempt). For Grade 9 and 10 courses, only the most serious attempt actually appears on the transcript (the lower attempt is left off entirely). In other words, Ontario’s transcript policy is generous to students: it emphasizes your best performance.
- University Applications: If you’re in the process of applying to universities (for example, through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre, OUAC), you should ensure that your new grade is communicated to them. Students applying to Ontario universities can add their private school as a source school on their OUAC application. Many online schools (including ours) are experienced in this process and can help you navigate it. Often, they will send your final grade directly to OUAC electronically, or they will provide you with official copies to forward. Universities will then consider your updated grade when making admission decisions. Most institutions will take the new higher grade in calculating your admission average. Some may note that it’s a repeated course (especially if you’ve repeated multiple courses), but a single improved grade is generally looked at positively – after all, it shows you met the requirement or cut-off after additional effort.
By retaking a course online and finishing strong, you’ve not only improved your transcript but also shown yourself that you can overcome academic setbacks. With your new grade in hand, you can approach university or college admissions with greater confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are answers to some common questions students have about retaking or upgrading high school courses, particularly in an online setting:
What is an “upgrade” course in high school?
An upgrade course is a shortened version of a high school course meant for students who have already completed the course and earned the credit but want to improve their final grade. The content is similar to the full course, but an upgrade course typically has fewer assignments or a condensed format since the student is presumed to have prior knowledge. Upgrade courses allow you to get a higher mark without having to redo every aspect of the class from scratch. They are usually offered by private schools (including online high schools) and require proof that you passed the original course.
Can I retake a high school course after I have graduated?
Yes, absolutely. Even if you’ve already graduated from high school and received your diploma, you can still retake or upgrade courses to improve your marks. Many graduates take an extra year (sometimes called a “victory lap” at a high school) or turn to online schools to upgrade their courses after graduation. As a graduate, you would enroll in the course through an accredited institution (such as an online private high school or an adult education program). Once you complete the course with a new grade, you’ll receive an updated transcript. You can then use that new grade to apply to colleges or universities, or to meet specific program prerequisites. This is a common route for students who want to qualify for a program they initially missed out on or to be more competitive in the next application cycle.
Do universities care if I repeat a course?
In general, universities are primarily concerned with the grades you achieve, rather than whether you took a course once or twice. Most Ontario universities will consider your highest grade in a repeated course when calculating your admission average. They typically do not penalize students for retaking a course to improve a mark, especially if it’s just one or two courses. That said, universities do see the “R” on your transcript for repeated Grade 11/12 courses. A single repeat is very common and understood. If you repeat multiple courses, some schools have policies to consider – for example, a university might still use the highest grades, but could make a note of excessive repeats, or in rare cases, like specific competitive programs, they may adjust how they view repeated credits. As a rule of thumb, upgrading a few key courses is absolutely worth it and generally not frowned upon. It shows you were proactive in meeting their requirements. If you’re concerned, you can check the admissions website of the university in question – most will explicitly state that they take the best grade and that repeating courses is acceptable. The bottom line: a better grade will only help your chances, and it’s far better to meet the cutoff by upgrading than to apply with a grade below the requirement.
How do repeated courses appear on my transcript?
For Ontario high school transcripts, repeated courses are handled in a student-friendly way. If you repeat a Grade 11 or 12 course, both attempts will be listed on your Ontario Student Transcript, but only the attempt with the higher mark will show a credit earned. The attempt with the lower mark will have an “R” in the credit column, indicating it was repeated (and that attempt doesn’t count toward your diploma credits). This makes it clear that you took the course more than once, and that the higher grade counts. For Grade 9 or 10 courses, only the more serious attempt is recorded on the transcript at all – the lower one is left off entirely. Either way, your transcript will highlight your best performance. When sending transcripts to universities, you don’t need to worry – they will focus on the grades of your credited courses (and, as mentioned above, most will take the highest grade if there are two attempts for the same course).
How long does it take to complete an online course upgrade?
The time it takes to complete an online course upgrade can vary depending on your pace and the school’s format. One advantage of online courses is that they are often self-paced. Motivated students can complete an upgrade course in as little as 3-4 weeks, especially if the course is condensed and the student dedicates many hours per week to it. For example, at Canadian Virtual School, students who are focused and work daily on their courses have completed 110 hours of credit in a matter of a month or so. However, if you prefer to take your time, most online schools allow you to complete a course over several months to a full year. There are usually no set class times, so you can spread out the work to fit your schedule. In summary, you could finish very quickly (a few weeks) if you push yourself, or you can take it slow and finish in a few months – it’s up to you. Just be sure to plan around any external deadlines (like university application due dates) when deciding on your pace.
Will universities accept online high school credits?
Yes. Universities in Ontario (and most everywhere) will accept credits from any accredited high school, whether it’s online or in-person, public or private. The key is that the school issuing the credit must be recognized by the Ministry of Education and have the authority to grant OSSD credits. Credits earned through Canadian Virtual School, for example, are official OSSD credits and are equivalent to those earned at any bricks-and-mortar school. Thousands of students upgrade courses online every year, and universities regularly accept those grades as part of admission. When you complete an online course, you will receive a report card that can be added to your Ontario Student Transcript. You might need to ensure the university receives an official transcript from the online school (which is a normal part of the application process). But rest assured, an online credit is worth the same as a traditional credit. Universities care about the grade and level of the course (U, M, C, etc.), not about how or where you took it. In fact, many university-bound students use online courses to get ahead or upgrade, so it’s a well-trodden path.
Is upgrading a course worth it?
Upgrading a course is definitely worth it if you need a higher grade to reach your academic goals. Consider the payoff: a few weeks or months of effort to improve a mark could secure you an admission offer to a program you’re passionate about, or win you scholarship money, or simply give you confidence moving forward. If you fell short of a required grade or know you can do better, the opportunity to try again is invaluable. Think of upgrading as an investment in your future – you’re putting in time now to potentially reap huge rewards in university and beyond. Of course, upgrading requires commitment; you’ll want to ensure you have the time and determination to focus on the course and truly improve. But for the majority of students who undertake an upgrade course, it not only results in a higher mark, it also often leads to better study habits and a deeper understanding, as you’re approaching the material with more maturity and context the second time. In short, if there’s a gap between your current grades and where you need them to be, upgrading is the bridge to get you there.
What if I failed a high school course? Can I take it online?
If you failed a course in high school, you can absolutely take it again – and doing it online is a flexible way to do so. Failing a course means you didn’t obtain the credit, so your goal will be to retake the full course (either at your day school, in summer school, or through an online school) to earn that credit. Online schools regularly help students who need credit recovery. By enrolling in the course online, you can work on the units you struggled with at your own pace, perhaps benefiting from different teaching methods or more one-on-one support from online instructors. Once you complete the online course and pass, you’ll have the credit added to your transcript, replacing the incomplete attempt. The transcript will show the completed course with your new grade (and in the case of a failed previous attempt, typically only the successful attempt is recorded for Grades 9-10; for Grades 11-12, the failed attempt might show as an R with 0 credit, and the new attempt will show the credit with the passing grade). The key takeaway is: a failure isn’t the end of the road. Online learning offers a second chance in a more comfortable environment to get that credit and move forward.
Which high school courses should I upgrade to improve my university admission chances?
You should consider upgrading any high school course in which a higher mark would substantially improve your admission average or fulfill a requirement for your desired program. Prioritize your Grade 12 U or M courses, since those are the ones universities count toward admission. Look at the admission requirements of the programs you’re applying to: do they require a specific course grade (e.g., 75% or higher in Grade 12 Advanced Functions)? Is your current mark in that course below or just at the cutoff? That would be a prime candidate for upgrading. Also, consider your overall top-six average – if one of your six marks is dragging down the average (maybe you have a 70 in one subject while the rest are 80s), upgrading that course could boost your overall average significantly. Common courses students upgrade include core subjects like Grade 12 English, Math, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, because these often factor heavily into admissions to science, engineering, business, or arts programs. However, any course that improves your top six count is worth considering. Make a list of your grades, identify the lowest one or two that impact your admission prospects, and target those for retake. Of course, also choose courses you believe you can improve on – perhaps you knew you could have done better with a bit more effort or different study strategies, which makes them ideal to tackle again online.
Ready to Boost Your Grades? Take the Next Step!
Retaking or upgrading high school courses online can be the key to unlocking your post-secondary ambitions. You’ve learned how improving your marks can help with university admissions, scholarships, and personal growth – now it’s time to act on that knowledge. The good news is that getting started is easy and accessible to everyone.
At Canadian Virtual School, we specialize in helping students like you succeed. As a leading private online high school in Ontario, we offer flexible Fast Track and Upgrade courses for Grades 9–12, so you can achieve the grades you need in a timeframe that works for you. Our courses are 100% online and self-paced, with certified teachers ready to support you one-on-one. Whether you need to raise that chemistry mark for a science program or you’re aiming for a scholarship by boosting your average, we’re here to make it happen.
Don’t let a setback in one course define your future. Thousands of students have improved their outcomes by taking an online course with us – and you can too. Take the next step toward your academic goals: explore our course catalogue, reach out to our guidance team for advice, or enroll today. With determination and the right support, you can turn a disappointing grade into an opportunity for success. Your university dreams are within reach – let’s boost those grades and get you there!
