Ontario Ministry of Education updates grading requirements for Grade 9 to 12

Starting September 2026, the Ontario Ministry of Education will implement new requirements for determining final marks for Grade 9 to 12 students. These changes apply to all publicly funded school boards in Ontario, including the Waterloo Region District School Board.

Final grades will now incorporate classroom learning completed throughout the course, attendance and participation, and a final evaluation. Most students will complete a final examination at the end of each course, though some may complete a culminating task instead.

The update also introduces specific protocols for reporting excused absences. To ensure an absence does not impact a student’s attendance mark, parents or guardians must submit a written request via email. Valid reasons for excused absences include illness, medical appointments, family obligations, or religious holidays. Written notifications must include the student’s name, date of birth, and the specific dates or times of the absence. Telephone calls or voicemails will no longer meet the requirements for recording an excused absence.