Final Exams Are Back in a Big Way
High school students across Ottawa will now write mandatory final exams in most courses, a shift meant to bring more consistency to how grades are calculated province-wide. For Grades 9 and 10, those exams count for 20 percent of the final mark in core subjects like English, math and science, with the Grade 9 EQAO math assessment counting as the written final.
In Grades 11 and 12, exams make up 25 percent of the grade in core subjects, while other courses split the final evaluation between a written exam and a culminating project. Workplace preparation, co-op and special education courses are exempt from the written exam, though a final evaluation is still required.
Showing Up Now Counts for More
Attendance and participation are officially part of the report card this year. For Grades 9 and 10, they make up 15 percent of the final mark, and for Grades 11 and 12, it is 10 percent, with students who rack up more than two unexcused absences unable to earn that full portion.
The good news for families juggling illness or holiday observances is that those absences are excused and will not affect grades, so a sick day or a religious holiday won’t cost your student any marks.
Money Smarts Are Now a Graduation Must
Ottawa’s Grade 10 students will need to pass a new standardized financial literacy evaluation within the Career Studies course to graduate, with a passing score set at 70 percent. Students get two chances to hit that mark during the course, and additional opportunities are available afterward if needed.
The test covers real-world essentials like household budgeting, interest rates, credit cards, saving strategies and general consumer smarts, giving grads a head start on managing their finances after high school.
A New Go-To Spot for Parent Questions
Every one of Ontario’s 72 school boards, including those serving Ottawa families, now has a dedicated student and family support office. The idea is to give parents and caregivers a clear place to turn when a concern can’t be sorted out at the school level.
Most day-to-day questions will still go through a student’s teacher or principal, but for anything more involved, these new offices are meant to cut down on the runaround.
Kindergarten Gets a Fresh Curriculum
The youngest learners are getting a refreshed curriculum this fall, with a stronger focus on foundational skills in math, science and language. The province says play remains part of the classroom experience, but it will now be paired with more structured lessons in reading, writing and math.
Getting Your Family Ready
With exams, attendance and financial literacy all playing a bigger role in how grades are calculated this year, it’s a good time for Ottawa families to have a quick chat about the new report card math before the first bell rings. Whether your student is heading into junior kindergarten or their final year of high school, these changes are designed to bring a bit more structure and support to the school day ahead.