OSSD Program
Your Gateway to Canadian UniversitiesThrough our partnership with Rosedale International Education, Universal School offers the Ontario Secondary School Diploma — one of the world's premier high school credentials, recognised globally and providing direct pathways to Canadian universities.
Delivered in partnership with Rosedale International Education — Ontario's accredited online provider
Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Ministry of Education Ontario · CanadaWhat Is OSSD?
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma is the official high school credential of Ontario — Canada's largest province and home to many of Canada's top-ranked universities.
Ontario's education system consistently ranks among the world's best. OSSD graduates are recognised for their strong critical thinking, analytical skills, and academic independence — qualities that make them sought-after candidates at leading universities worldwide.
Canada's Largest Province — World-Class Education
Ontario is home to the University of Toronto, McMaster, Western, Queen's, and dozens of other globally ranked institutions — all directly accessible through the OSSD's 101 application stream.
Academic Reputation
Why Choose OSSD?
Three powerful arguments for why the OSSD is the right choice for ambitious Lebanese students with global ambitions.
Direct Canadian University Pathways
OSSD graduates receive preferential treatment in Canadian university applications — with streamlined processes, earlier decisions, better scholarship opportunities, and higher acceptance rates.
Skills That Actually Matter
OSSD develops exactly the skills Lebanese Baccalaureate traditionally lacks — and the skills universities say they desperately need in incoming students.
An Insurance Policy for Uncertain Times
Maximum flexibility for Lebanese families navigating an uncertain future. You don't have to choose between Lebanon and the world. With the dual diploma, you get both.
Your Lebanese Future,
Your Global Passport
Earn the Lebanese Baccalaureate and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma simultaneously — keeping your roots while opening every door the world has to offer.
Program Structure
& Academic Program
Everything you need to know about how the OSSD is delivered at Universal School — from our Rosedale partnership and course format, to the full academic subject offering across both OSSD pathways.
Partnership with Rosedale International Education
Universal School's OSSD offering is delivered through our official partnership with Rosedale International Education — an Ontario Ministry of Education accredited provider with a global network of partner schools. Every OSSD credit earned at Universal School is a genuine Ontario credential, taught by Ontario-certified teachers, with full quality assurance and university recognition.
Course Format
Structure · Cycles · IntakesStudents attend Universal School full-time. OSSD courses are integrated into the daily schedule alongside Lebanese Baccalaureate requirements — no compromise, no conflict.
Credits Required
OSSD Graduation FrameworkFocus: Analysis · Writing · Literature
Focus: Rigour · University Readiness · Application
Focus: Inquiry · Lab Skills · Critical Analysis
Focus: Global Awareness · Research · Critical Thinking
Every OSSD credit our students earn is a genuine Ontario credential — recognised by Canadian universities the same way a student who attended school in Toronto would be. That is the power of our Rosedale partnership.
— Universal School Academic Leadership · OSSD Program
Start Earning Your
Ontario Diploma Today
Join Universal School's OSSD program and graduate with a credential that opens doors to Canada's top universities — without giving up your Lebanese Baccalaureate.
Assessment in OSSD
The OSSD assessment model is fundamentally different from the Lebanese system — prioritising continuous, multi-dimensional evaluation over a single high-stakes exam.
How It Differs from the Lebanese System
Side-by-side evaluation philosophy comparisonGrading System
Ontario Percentage · Credit SystemOfficial Ontario Transcript
Issued by Rosedale · Globally RecognisedTeacher Qualifications
Every OSSD course at Universal School is taught by Ontario-certified teachers — the same standard required in any Ontario school in Canada.
All OSSD Teachers
Five Non-Negotiable Standards · Rosedale CertifiedOntario College of Teachers — The Same Standard as Toronto
When your child sits in an OSSD class at Universal School, their teacher holds the same certification as a teacher in any Ontario school from Ottawa to Vancouver.
Quality Assurance
University Pathways
OSSD graduates from Universal School access Canada's top universities directly — with the 101 stream advantage that treats them as domestic Ontario applicants.
Target Canadian Universities
Direct admission via 101 application streamPrograms Our Students Pursue
Across all Canadian university programsUniversity Counseling
Personalised guidance from program research through offer acceptance — so every OSSD student finds the right Canadian university, not just any Canadian university.
Our students arrive at Canadian universities already knowing how to write analytically, manage long-term projects, and advocate for themselves. That's what the OSSD assessment model builds — and it's exactly what Canadian universities say they need.
— Universal School OSSD Program · University Counseling Team
Ready for a Top
Canadian University?
Start your OSSD journey at Universal School — with Ontario-certified teachers, globally recognised credentials, and dedicated university counseling every step of the way.
Assessment in OSSD
The OSSD assessment model is fundamentally different from the Lebanese system — prioritising continuous, multi-dimensional evaluation over a single high-stakes exam.
How It Differs from the Lebanese System
Side-by-side evaluation philosophy comparisonGrading System
Ontario Percentage · Credit SystemOfficial Ontario Transcript
Issued by Rosedale · Globally RecognisedTeacher Qualifications
Every OSSD course at Universal School is taught by Ontario-certified teachers — the same standard required in any Ontario school in Canada.
All OSSD Teachers
Five Non-Negotiable Standards · Rosedale CertifiedOntario College of Teachers — The Same Standard as Toronto
When your child sits in an OSSD class at Universal School, their teacher holds the same certification as a teacher in any Ontario school from Ottawa to Vancouver.
Quality Assurance
University Pathways
OSSD graduates from Universal School access Canada's top universities directly — with the 101 stream advantage that treats them as domestic Ontario applicants.
Target Canadian Universities
Direct admission via 101 application streamPrograms Our Students Pursue
Across all Canadian university programsUniversity Counseling
Personalised guidance from program research through offer acceptance — so every OSSD student finds the right Canadian university, not just any Canadian university.
Our students arrive at Canadian universities already knowing how to write analytically, manage long-term projects, and advocate for themselves. That's what the OSSD assessment model builds — and it's exactly what Canadian universities say they need.
— Universal School OSSD Program · University Counseling Team
Ready for a Top
Canadian University?
Start your OSSD journey at Universal School — with Ontario-certified teachers, globally recognised credentials, and dedicated university counseling every step of the way.
Admission Requirements
The OSSD pathway demands genuine academic readiness — particularly strong English proficiency and the self-direction to thrive in a rigorous, skills-focused environment.
Academic Requirements
- Strong English proficiency — written and oral communication
- Solid academic record across core subjects
- Demonstrated ability to handle rigorous coursework
- Independent learning readiness and self-motivation
Assessment Process
Starting in Grade 9 allows full four-year program completion — maximising credentials, subject choice, and university options. Later entry (Grade 10 or 11) is possible but may require intensive summer courses to stay on track for graduation.
[Program Manager Name]
OSSD Program Manager · Universal School AramounOur OSSD Program Manager oversees the full Canadian Gateway and Entrepreneurship tracks — from curriculum delivery and teacher quality to student progress monitoring and university application support. With deep expertise in Ontario curriculum standards and Canadian university admission processes, the Program Manager ensures every OSSD student at Universal School receives an experience equivalent to studying in Ontario.
Partnership Coordinator
Manages the day-to-day operational relationship with Rosedale International Education — ensuring curriculum compliance, transcript processing, and quality assurance are maintained to Ontario standards.
- [Coordinator Name] — Rosedale Partnership
- Transcript and credit management
- Teacher certification liaison
OSSD Certified Teachers
- English (ENG2D, ENG3U, ENG4U) — [Teacher Name]
- Mathematics (Functions, Calc) — [Teacher Name]
- Sciences (Bio, Chem, Physics) — [Teacher Name]
- Business Studies (Entrepreneurship Track) — [Teacher Name]
OSSD opened doors I didn't know existed. I'm now studying engineering at the University of Toronto — something that felt completely impossible with just the Lebanese Bacc. The skills I built through OSSD made me ready for university in a way my peers weren't.
[Student Name] · Class of [Year] · Engineering, University of Toronto
OSSD vs. Other International Programs
An honest look at why we chose OSSD over IB and American diplomas — and why it's the right credential for Lebanese students with global ambitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Honest answers to the questions Lebanese families ask most about the OSSD pathway.
Will my child lose their Lebanese identity?
No — never. Students earn both the Lebanese Baccalaureate and the OSSD. Dual credentials. Your child graduates fully Lebanese and fully Canadian-qualified. Nothing is given up.
Is OSSD recognised outside Canada?
Yes. Top universities in the US, UK, Australia, and 200+ countries worldwide accept the OSSD. Ontario's education system is globally respected and the credential travels with your child.
How much more does the OSSD pathway cost?
A tuition difference applies to cover OSSD fees, Rosedale partnership costs, and Ontario-certified teacher salaries. Contact our admissions team for a full breakdown — we are committed to transparency on all costs.
Can my child start OSSD in Grade 10 or 11?
Possible — but may require intensive summer courses to complete the 30 required credits before Grade 12. Grade 9 start is strongly recommended for the most balanced, stress-free pathway to graduation.
What if we're not sure about Canada?
OSSD keeps every door open. Use it for Canadian universities, international universities, or stay in Lebanon with the Lebanese Bacc — all options remain valid. The OSSD is an insurance policy, not a commitment.
Is the OSSD coursework very difficult?
Rigorous — but manageable with proper support. OSSD emphasises skills development over memorisation, which many students find more engaging. Our teachers provide continuous feedback and structured support throughout.
Explore the OSSD Pathway
Three ways to begin — schedule an information session, apply directly, or download our full program guide.
Both Diplomas.
Infinite Possibilities.
Join Universal School's OSSD program and graduate with the Lebanese Baccalaureate and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma — keeping your roots while opening every door the world has to offer.