How Ontario's new high school grading rules work in Hamilton in 2026-27: exams in most courses and 10 to 15 per cent for attendance

What changed

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the Ontario Ministry of Education requires a more consistent approach to marking in Grades 9 to 12, according to the Province's Growing Success policy page. Most secondary courses will require written exams as a share of the final mark, and the written final exams will be held during a designated exam period. The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) sent families a letter on September 16, 2026 summarizing the rules.

Some courses are exempt from mandatory written exams, including locally developed compulsory credit courses in Grades 9 and 10, Grade 11 and 12 workplace preparation and open courses, and co-operative education. They still require a final evaluation, which can be a project, presentation or portfolio.

How attendance and participation are marked

The Province says the attendance and participation mark is assessed on levels. A student at Level 4, the top level, misses 2.5 per cent or fewer classes for unexcused absences, roughly two or fewer classes per semester, and consistently takes part in class discussions. Missing more than 10 per cent of classes for unexcused reasons, roughly more than nine per semester, falls below Level 1. Teachers will explain their course's attendance and participation expectations at the start of each course.

Excused absences do not negatively affect a student's mark, the Province and HWDSB both say. Excused absences are those permitted under legislation or school policy and may include illness, unavoidable circumstances such as inclement weather, cultural observances and holy days. HWDSB's letter says families should keep reporting absences through their school's usual procedures, and that a family that receives an absence notice or call must follow up with the school and give the reason so the absence can be reviewed and, where appropriate, recorded as excused.

What HWDSB is telling families

• Updated course outlines will be shared with students and families at the start of each course, with grade breakdowns, final evaluation requirements and attendance and participation expectations.
• Questions about attendance expectations, assessment, final evaluations or graduation requirements go to the student's school.
• Grade 9 to 11 families can drop in to Explore MY Way on Tuesday, October 27, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at LIUNA Station, 360 James Street North, to learn about co-op, dual credit, SHSM, OYAP and other programs and post-secondary pathways. HWDSB lists childminding, interpreters, bus tickets and shuttles from select secondary schools as supports, requested through its RSVP form.