Universal School Lebanon adds Canadian OSSD diploma with Rosedale partnership

Universal School will launch an Ontario Secondary School Diploma pathway with Rosedale International Education in September 2026, giving Lebanese students a dual diploma option alongside the Lebanese Baccalaureate. The program is designed to expand university access in Canada, North America and Europe while keeping students in Lebanon.

Why it matters: - Universal School students in grades 9-12 will be able to earn a Canadian credential recognized by universities worldwide. - The dual-diploma pathway adds a second academic track for Lebanese students applying to universities in Canada, North America and Europe. - The program begins in September 2026, making the partnership relevant for families planning the 2026-27 school year.

What happened: - Universal School announced a partnership with Rosedale International Education to launch the Ontario Secondary School Diploma program. - The agreement was signed May 19, 2026, at Rosedale International Education headquarters in Toronto. - Universal School said the OSSD launch is scheduled for September 2026. - The inaugural cohort is targeted at 25-30 students for the 2026-27 academic year. - Enrolment opened in May 2026. - Information sessions for interested families are scheduled weekly starting in June 2026.

The details: - Universal School students will earn the OSSD alongside the Lebanese Baccalaureate. - Universal School teachers will handle daily instruction. - Rosedale's Ontario-certified educators will oversee official evaluations and credentialing. - The program is intended to comply with Ontario Ministry of Education standards. - Universal School said the partnership gives students a certified Canadian credential without leaving Lebanon. - Universal School was founded in 1958 in Lebanon and says it has expanded internationally to Cyprus and Greece. - Rosedale International Education operates a global partner school network of more than 100 schools. - Rosedale Global High School is authorized to grant the OSSD. - Rosedale says it has helped more than 5,000 graduates reach 100% university acceptance rates.

Between the lines: - The partnership signals growing demand for internationally recognized credentials inside Lebanon as families look for more competitive university pathways. - The dual-diploma model lets Universal School keep its Lebanese identity while adding a Canadian curriculum brand that may appeal to globally mobile students. - Rosedale gains a foothold in Lebanon through an established local school rather than building a standalone program from scratch.

What's next: - Universal School and Rosedale will move from signing to program rollout ahead of the September 2026 start. - Families interested in the first cohort can attend the weekly information sessions beginning in June 2026. - The first results to watch are enrolment levels, student demand and whether the model expands beyond the initial 25-30 seats.

The bottom line: - Universal School is betting that a Canadian diploma, paired with Lebanon's own secondary credential, will strengthen its students' university prospects and broaden the school's international profile.