An Ontario Scholar is any high school graduate in the Canadian province of Ontario

Ontario

Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....

 who attains an average of 80% or higher in their six best grade 12 courses. Prior to the elimination of the Ontario Academic Credit

Ontario Academic Credit

The Ontario Academic Credit or OAC was part of the curriculum codified by the Ontario Ministry of Education in Ontario Schools: Intermediate and Senior and its revisions. In common parlance, the term is used to describe the fifth high school year that used to exist in the province of...

 (OAC) in 2003 the award was limited to OAC courses.

The award is presented by the Ontario Ministry of Education

Ministry of Education (Ontario)

The Ministry of Education is the agency of the Ontario government in the Canadian province of Ontario responsible for government policy, funding, curriculum planning and direction in all levels of public education, including elementary and secondary schools.This Ministry is responsible for...

, and consists of a certificate from the Minister of Education. These awards are standard from the provincial government; however some schools choose to make special recognition of Ontario Scholars above and beyond this. The award is distinct from other academic acknowledgments such as the Honour Roll.

History

Prior to the elimination of grade 13 an Ontario Scholar was based on grade 13 subjects. In 1976, there used to be $100 monetary award in addition to the certificate.