At the December 17, 2025, board meeting, the board approved the 2026–2027 Division School Year Calendar. The division calendar outlines instructional and staff operational days, establishes the first and last days for students, and sets dates for the fall, winter, and spring breaks for all schools.

Each December, the board carefully reviews and considers various options for the division’s upcoming school year calendar. This process involves a comprehensive review of several considerations, including compliance with provincial legislation regarding the number of instructional hours that students receive, alignment with provincial examination schedules, collective agreements, statutory holidays, feedback collected from parents, staff and school councils and, most importantly, the best ways to meet the educational needs of our students and staff.

Out of the feedback collected from parents, school councils, and staff, three themes emerged: follow the 2025-2026 calendar format, starting school as close to Labour Day as possible, and have an extended long weekend in November rather than a full week fall break.

Key Dates and Highlights:

• First Student Day: Monday, August 31, 2026
  • While some feedback received suggested starting school after Labour Day, the timing of Labour Day (September 7) makes a post-Labour Day start unfeasible this school year.
• Staff Opening Professional Learning Day: Friday, September 18, 2026
• Teacher-Directed Days: Scheduled in October and March, providing teachers with opportunities for professional learning per the teacher Collective Agreement.
• Fall Break, November 12-13: A shortened break in November, aligning Remembrance Day services as closely as possible with National Remembrance Day. The shortened fall break is also a result of the first day of school starting slightly later.
• Provincial Exams: January 14–28, 2027, with a staff professional learning/collaboration day on January 29, 2027
• Spring Break and Easter: Scheduled together to provide a continuous break for students and staff
• Last Student Day:
  • Elementary & Junior High: June 25, 2027
  • Senior High: June 28, 2027 (to accommodate diploma exam schedules)

The calendar provides 183 instructional days for elementary and junior high students and 184 instructional days for senior high students, with 195 operational days for staff.

The division thanks parents, staff, and School Councils who participated in the consultation process, which informed the final recommendations. The approved calendar balances instructional requirements, staff professional learning, and community feedback.

View the full 2026–2027 School Year Calendar

In the coming months, schools with alternate calendars will develop their calendar for the 2026-2027 school year and will be reviewed by the board at their February 25, 2026, board meeting.