A Guide to PLAR for International Students: How Previous Studies Can Count Toward the OSSD
For many international students, earning the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is an important step toward university, college, and future career opportunities. However, students who have already completed secondary school courses in another country may not need to start from the beginning.
At Royal Ontario Academy, international students may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition, commonly called PLAR. This process allows the school to review a student’s previous academic records and determine how many equivalent Ontario credits may be recognized toward the OSSD.
What Is PLAR?
PLAR is the formal process used to evaluate a student’s previous learning and academic history. At Royal Ontario Academy, PLAR is completed under the authority of the Principal. The student’s official transcripts and academic records are reviewed to determine appropriate placement and credit equivalency.
Rather than repeating subjects already completed, eligible students may receive recognition for previous secondary school learning. This can help international students create a more efficient pathway toward earning the OSSD.
Final placement and credit equivalency are always determined by the ROA Principal after reviewing official academic transcripts.
How Many Credits Do Students Need for the OSSD?
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma requires 30 credits in total.
For international students, this total may be made up of two parts:
- PLAR equivalency credits granted for previous schooling
- Credits completed through Royal Ontario Academy
Together, these credits must equal 30.
How PLAR Credit Equivalency Works
The number of credits a student may receive through PLAR depends on how much previous secondary schooling they have completed. All PLAR decisions are based on official academic records and are made at the discretion of the ROA Principal, following Ministry of Education guidelines.
| Previous Secondary Schooling Completed | Maximum PLAR Equivalency Credits | Minimum Credits to Earn at ROA | What This Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year completed, such as Grade 9 | Up to 8 credits | 22 credits | The student may be placed at Grade 9 equivalency and must still earn enough credits to complete the 30-credit OSSD. |
| 2 years completed, such as Grade 10 | Up to 16 credits | 14 credits | The student may be placed at Grade 10 equivalency and must complete the remaining credits required for the OSSD. |
| 3 years completed, such as Grade 11 | Up to 23 credits | 7 credits | The student may be placed at Grade 11 equivalency and must complete the remaining credits required for the OSSD. |
| More than 3 years completed | Up to 24 credits | 6 credits | To issue an ROA-granted OSSD, ROA requires a minimum of 6 credits earned through ROA instruction. At least 4 of these must be Grade 11 or Grade 12 credits. |
ROA as the Diploma-Granting School
Royal Ontario Academy may act as the student’s home school and grant the OSSD when the student is enrolled with ROA as their designated day school and ROA holds the student’s Ontario Student Record and Ontario Student Transcript.
To issue an ROA-granted OSSD, Royal Ontario Academy requires that a student earn a minimum of 6 credits by successfully completing courses delivered and taught by ROA. These credits must be earned through ROA instruction. Credits granted through PLAR, equivalency for prior schooling, or courses completed at other schools count toward the 30 credits required for the OSSD, but they do not count toward ROA’s 6-credit minimum for issuing the diploma.
This requirement helps ROA confirm the student’s achievement, support academic integrity, and ensure that all graduation requirements have been properly met.
Do International Students Still Need to Complete Graduation Requirements?
Yes. PLAR can help recognize previous learning, but students must still meet Ontario graduation requirements.
At Royal Ontario Academy, the final OSSD plan ensures that students meet the required 30 credits. This may include PLAR equivalency credits and courses completed through ROA.
Graduation Requirements for International Students
| Requirement | How It Is Addressed at ROA |
|---|---|
| Total Credits Required | Students must earn 30 credits in total through a combination of PLAR equivalency credits and credits completed at ROA. |
| Literacy Requirement | The literacy requirement is met through the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test or, where applicable, the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course, OLC4O. ROA confirms each student’s literacy pathway at enrolment. |
| Community Involvement | The 40-hour community involvement requirement applies to students earning the OSSD, unless the student is exempt under Ministry policy. ROA advises each student on eligible activities at enrolment. |
| Online Learning Requirement | This requirement is satisfied automatically because all ROA courses are delivered fully online. |
| Financial Literacy Requirement | ROA confirms how the financial literacy requirement applies to each student at enrolment, based on the student’s entry year and academic background. |
| PLAR Assessment and Credit Recognition | The PLAR assessment is provided at the time of admission, free of charge, on the understanding that the student will complete their remaining OSSD credits at ROA. If a student earns some remaining credits elsewhere and asks ROA to recognize them toward an ROA-granted OSSD, a one-time credit recognition fee may apply. |
Why Official Transcripts Matter
Students should keep copies of their official transcripts and academic records. These documents are required for review at the time of enrolment.
The PLAR decision is not based only on the number of years a student has attended school. The Principal must review official records to confirm the student’s academic history and determine appropriate placement.
Because each student’s background is different, all credit equivalency decisions are made at the discretion of the ROA Principal and must follow Ministry of Education guidelines.
Why PLAR Is Helpful for International Students
PLAR can make the OSSD pathway more efficient for students who have already completed secondary school courses outside Ontario.
It may help students:
- Avoid repeating courses they have already completed
- Receive recognition for previous academic work
- Understand how many credits they still need
- Create a clear graduation plan
- Complete required Ontario credits through flexible online learning
- Prepare for university or college applications
For many international students, PLAR provides a practical bridge between their previous education system and Ontario’s high school diploma requirements.
Final Thoughts
PLAR is an important pathway for international students who want to earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma through Royal Ontario Academy.
By reviewing official transcripts and recognizing previous learning, ROA can help students understand how their past studies may count toward the OSSD. Depending on the student’s academic history, they may need to complete 22, 14, 7, or 6 credits at ROA.
Students who have completed more than 3 years of previous secondary schooling may be eligible for up to 24 PLAR equivalency credits. To receive an ROA-granted OSSD, they must still complete at least 6 credits through ROA, including at least 4 Grade 11 or Grade 12 credits.
Final placement and credit equivalency are always determined by the ROA Principal after reviewing official academic records. Students interested in the OSSD should prepare their transcripts early and contact Royal Ontario Academy to discuss a personalized graduation plan.