Retaking or upgrading a high school course means giving yourself a second chance at a better grade in a course you’ve already completed. In simple terms:
- Retaking a course usually refers to enrolling in the full course again after you’ve completed it once (or if you didn’t pass it the first time). You’ll redo all the coursework, assignments, and evaluations, just as if you were taking it for the first time. This is common if you need to rebuild your understanding completely or if you originally failed to earn the credit.
- Upgrading a course (sometimes called a repeat course) refers to enrolling in a shortened version of a course after you have already passed it and earned the credit, but want a higher mark. Upgrade courses cover the same curriculum as the original, but often with a lighter workload or a focus on key assessments. This is possible because you’ve seen the material before. The goal is to improve your final grade without having to repeat every single lesson or assignment in full detail.
In both cases, you end up with a new grade that can replace or surpass your old one. Ontario’s education system encourages continuous improvement – meaning if you didn’t get the mark you needed the first time, you’re allowed to try again. When you retake or upgrade a course through an accredited online high school, you’ll earn an official mark that appears on your transcript and counts towards your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits.
How “Upgrade Courses” Work: In Ontario, upgrade courses are designed for students who already earned the credit but want a higher percentage. Typically, you must show proof (like a report card or transcript) that you completed the course previously. For example, if you passed Grade 12 English but got, say, 65%, you could enroll in an ENG4U upgrade course to aim for a better mark. Because you have prior knowledge, the course might allow you to skip some foundational assignments and focus on improving through key projects and the final exam. This makes the upgrade course faster to complete than a full repeat of the course, while still covering all major curriculum expectations.
Retake vs. Upgrade: If you failed a course or didn’t take it at all, you will need to retake the full course (since upgrade courses require a passing grade already on record). If you passed but want a higher mark, an upgrade course is your best bet. Ultimately, both paths lead to the same outcome: a second chance to achieve a grade that reflects your true potential.
Why Retake or Upgrade High School Courses Online?
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the extra effort to redo a course, consider the many benefits. Here are some compelling reasons why students choose to retake or upgrade their high school courses, especially through an online platform:
Boost Your University Admission Chances
University programs (especially in Ontario) are highly competitive. Admissions officers primarily look at your top Grade 12 U/M course grades when calculating your admission average. By upgrading a course mark from, say, a low 70s to an 80+ or 90, you can significantly raise your overall average. This can be the difference between getting accepted into your first-choice university program and missing the cut-off. When you retake a high school course online and achieve a better grade, you strengthen your transcript and make your application more competitive. Remember, universities typically consider your highest grade in a course – so improving that grade gives you a leg up in the admissions process.
Moreover, certain programs have specific grade requirements for prerequisite courses. For instance, an Engineering faculty might require at least 75% in Grade 12 Advanced Functions, or a Life Sciences program might demand a minimum 80% in Grade 12 Chemistry. If your first attempt fell short of those thresholds, upgrading the course ensures you meet the mandatory requirements for your desired program.
Qualify for Scholarships and Awards
Retaking courses to improve your marks isn’t just about getting into university – it can also help you earn scholarships. Many universities and external organizations offer entrance scholarships based on your high school average. For example, achieving an average of 85%+ or 90%+ in your top six 4U/M courses can unlock thousands of dollars in automatic scholarships at some schools. By upgrading a course from, say, 78% to 88%, you might push your overall average into scholarship territory.
Additionally, Ontario high schools award the Ontario Scholar designation to students who achieve an average of 80% or higher in six Grade 12 courses. If you’re sitting just below that benchmark, retaking a course for a higher mark could earn you this recognition. In short, improving your grades can literally pay off in the form of financial aid or academic honours – a strong motivation to give a course another try.
Solidify Your Knowledge and Skills
Education isn’t only about the numbers. Sometimes retaking a course is the best way to truly master the material. Perhaps the first time you took Grade 11 Physics or Calculus, you struggled to keep up and didn’t fully grasp key concepts. By taking the course again (especially in a more flexible online environment), you can fill in gaps in your understanding. This stronger foundation will not only boost your grades but also better prepare you for the next steps in your education. For example, doing a second run of Grade 12 Chemistry and improving your comprehension could make your first year of a Science degree much easier.
Upgrading a course can also be about the love of learning. Maybe you got a decent mark in a subject, but you’re still curious or not satisfied with how well you understand it. Retaking the class can help you squeeze every ounce of knowledge out of your high school education. You might discover new insights or perspectives that you missed initially. In an online upgrade course, you often have access to enriching resources and can go at your own pace, which encourages deeper learning rather than just rushing for a grade.
Demonstrate Perseverance and Growth
Choosing to improve a grade shows initiative and resilience. Rather than accepting a disappointing mark, you’re deciding to put in extra work and strive for better. This is a powerful personal lesson in perseverance. It shifts your mindset from “I guess I’m just not good at this subject” to “I can get better with effort and the right strategy.” Educators often talk about the value of a growth mindset – the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Upgrading your course exemplifies that mindset.
While universities mainly focus on grades, they also value motivated and determined students. If the topic comes up (for example, in an application essay or interview), you can proudly explain that you recognized the need to improve and took action by retaking a course. This narrative highlights qualities such as self-motivation, accountability, and a willingness to overcome challenges – traits that will serve you well in post-secondary studies.
Improve Your Overall Average Strategically
Retaking or upgrading a course is also a strategic move to improve your overall average. In Ontario, universities often consider your top six Grade 12 U or M courses for admission. If you have more than six courses, they will pick the highest marks from those courses. This means you have some flexibility – you could add an extra course or improve an existing one to replace a lower mark. For example, let’s say you have six courses in the 70s and one additional course you scored 85 in; that higher mark can push out a lower one in the top-six calculation. By upgrading a couple of key courses, you ensure that your top six grades are as high as possible.
Some students even plan to take a seventh course (or more) so that there’s a “spare” mark to drop. If you didn’t do this during regular school, you can still take an extra course online after – either a new course or an upgrade of a past course – to boost your top-six average. The flexibility of online schools makes it easy to pick up another credit that can enhance your academic profile.
How to Retake or Upgrade High School Courses Online
Now that we’ve covered the “why,” let’s look at how you can actually upgrade your high school marks online. Enrolling in an online course to retake or upgrade is straightforward and offers the flexibility that traditional classrooms can’t always provide. Here’s what you need to know about getting started:
