When you have school-age children, planning for the year ahead means working around the school year. So it’s only natural to ask, when does school start in Canada in 2026?
While the academic year typically begins in September, specific start dates can be hard to pin down. That’s because they depend on the type of school and where you are within the country. Individual provinces and territories set their own academic calendars, and even within those regions, each school district has the power to set its own dates. This disparity can be hard to navigate, especially if you didn’t grow up in the Canadian school system.
So, how exactly do you know when your kids need to be at school? This Remitly guide will take you through key milestones in the Canadian school year, from start dates to breaks, statutory holidays and more. We’ll also dive into provincial start date variations and explain where you can find the most reliable sources for your school district, so you know exactly what to expect.
When does school start in Canada?
Canadian schools usually start in the early spring, with the academic year running from September to June. The first day of school is usually the first Tuesday after Labour Day. This means that in 2026, most schools will open on Tuesday, September 8.
This applies to most public elementary and high schools, but private schools, charter schools, and higher education institutions may follow different schedules.
Provincial and territorial start date variations
Some provinces might set an earlier start date, especially if Labour Day falls quite late in September. For example, in Alberta, Calgary public schools are scheduled to start the new school year on August 31, 2026.
Universities and other tertiary institutions may also return earlier. For example, the University of Calgary will open its doors on August 24, 2026, for Block Week, with regular lessons resuming on September 1, 2026.
In provinces such as Quebec, school schedules are set by district education boards, resulting in a lot of variation across the region.
- This is particularly common in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Nunavut, and Yukon, where each administration sets dates to accommodate harsh winter conditions and local indigenous customs.
- Meanwhile, areas like Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia open schools on the Tuesday right after Labour Day.
- In Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador, the date usually falls on the first Wednesday following this pivotal holiday.
- For provinces like British Columbia and Saskatchewan, school start dates typically depend on individual academic calendars.
So, it’s essential to check with your local school district, school board website, or specific institution to find out the right dates when your child should be in school.
Key dates to know for the 2026-2027 school year
That said, most schools set aside the first day of the year as a professional development day for teachers, with students returning the next day.
Below is an overview of when public schools in various provinces and territories opened in 2025, compared to the scheduled or provisional dates for 2026.
| Province/Territory | 2025 Start Date | 2026 Expected Start Date |
| Alberta | September 2, 2025 | August 31, 2026 |
| British Columbia | September 2, 2025 | September 8, 2026 |
| Manitoba | September 2, 2025 | September 8, 2026 |
| New Brunswick | September 2, 2025 | September 8, 2026 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | September 2, 2025 | September 8, 2026 |
| Nova Scotia | September 2, 2025 | September 1, 2026 |
| Ontario | September 2, 2025 | September 8, 2026 |
| Prince Edward Island | September 4, 2025 | September 4, 2026 |
| Quebec | August 13–27, 2025 | August 27, 2026 |
| Saskatchewan | September 2, 2025 | September 1, 2026 |
| Northwest Territories | August 13–September 2, 2025 | August 31, 2026 |
| Nunavut | August 18–September 2, 2025 | August 18–September 8, 2026 |
| Yukon | August 25, 2025 | August 12, 2026 |
Holiday breaks
Holidays and the end of the school year also fall on different dates depending on province, territory, and sometimes individual school districts.
For example, not all schools have a dedicated fall break, with many offering a series of weekends around Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day, rather than a week-long holiday period.
The table below compares holiday breaks for 2026–2027 in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario as examples of what to expect.
| Province | Fall Break | Winter Break | Spring Break | End of Term |
| Alberta | November 11–15 | December 19–
January 3 |
March 20–29 | June 25, 2027 |
| British Columbia | December 21– January 1 | March 22–April 2 | July 1, 2027 | |
| Ontario | December 21– January 1 | March 15–19, 2027 | June 22, 2027 |
Most Canadian school districts enjoy the same statutory holidays throughout the year, a period when most schools are closed. Below is a list of these days for the 2026–2027 academic year.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| September 7, 2026 | Monday | Labour Day |
| September 30, 2026 | Wednesday | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation |
| October 12, 2026 | Monday | Thanksgiving |
| November 11, 2026 | Wednesday | Remembrance Day |
| December 25, 2026 | Thursday | Christmas Day
(during Winter Break) |
| December 26, 2026 | Friday | Boxing Day |
| January 1, 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day
(during Winter Break) |
| March 26, 2027 | Friday | Good Friday
(during Spring Break) |
| March 29, 2027 | Monday | Easter Monday
(during Spring Break) |
| May 24, 2027 | Monday | Victoria Day |
| July 1, 2027 | Thursday | Canada Day |
| August 2, 2027 | Monday | Civic holiday |
Several statutory holidays are province-specific, and some celebrate unique holidays on these days.
How to find your school’s official calendar
To make sure you have the right dates for the next school year, consult the school district’s calendar on your specific school’s website. These highlight not just provincial and regional dates, but also professional development days for teachers, which students don’t need to attend, or early dismissal days when school ends early.
While the academic calendar should be clearly marked on the school’s homepage, you can also just search for the “school name” and “academic calendar 2026 Canada.” Make sure to bookmark the page that comes up. Sometimes, you’ll have the option to download and sync the dates to your own calendar app.
If you are planning in advance, maybe for overseas holidays, schools don’t always publish their calendars far enough in advance. In that case, identify your local school district or board, and search their website for the correct academic calendar.
While every school district is different, most ensure around 190 school days for students. Students can miss around 10-15% of school days for things such as illnesses and unexpected emergencies without impacting their ability to pass the year. However, significant consecutive absences, without an explanation such as a doctor’s note, can result in kids failing the year, or interventions involving law enforcement or social workers.
Getting ready for the year ahead
Across most of Canada, the school year starts in early September, just after Labour Day. This means that, in 2026, most schools will reopen by September 8.
However, Canadian schools are managed at the provincial, territorial, or district level, so these rules just aren’t universal. In the territories, schools often start a lot earlier to offset the earlier finishing times in December, on account of Arctic winter conditions. In contrast, British Columbia tends to start and finish a bit later in the year.
The only way to really ensure you have the right dates is to check the website for your specific school. If they haven’t published their dates yet, you can find out more from the school district governing your institution.
And, if you aren’t experienced with Canadian schools and how they work, speak to other parents, who are usually more than happy to share their experiences with newcomers.
FAQs
When does school start in Canada in 2026?
The Canadian school year runs from September to June, with most schools starting on the first Tuesday after Labour Day. However, because after-Labour Day school start days occur relatively late in the month, schools in various territories and provinces often begin a week earlier.
Do all schools in Canada start on the same day?
No. While the traditional start date for schools is on the Tuesday after Labour Day, term dates are set by individual school boards. Private schools enjoy greater flexibility when setting their own dates, as long as they meet the requirements to offer a minimum number of school days. This means that when looking for accurate school dates, it’s best to consult your specific school.
When do universities and colleges start in Canada?
While Canadian universities, colleges, and tertiary institutions generally follow the same academic year as primary and secondary schools in the U.S.
How can I be sure of my child’s start date?
The best way to confirm your child’s school start date is by contacting the school directly. Check the school calendar to confirm.