Quick Answer: The first day of school in Ontario in 2026 varies by school board. Most Toronto and Waterloo-area students start on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Ottawa-Carleton students begin September 1, 2026. Peel DSB students also start September 1. Limestone and Upper Canada DSB students begin September 2, 2026. All boards are closed on Labour Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. The 2026-27 school year ends in late June 2027, with most secondary students finishing June 28 and elementary students finishing June 29, 2027.
Key Highlights of First Day of School in Ontario
- Labour Day 2026 falls on Monday, September 7, all Ontario schools are closed
- TDSB (Toronto’s largest board) confirmed September 8, 2026 as the first day for all students
- Ottawa-Carleton DSB is one of the first major boards to start, with students attending from September 1, 2026
- Waterloo Region DSB confirmed September 8, 2026 as the first day for both elementary and secondary students
- Ontario Ministry of Education requires a minimum of 194 school days across 2026-27
- March Break 2027 is confirmed as March 15 to March 19, 2027 for most Ontario boards
Why Ontario First-Day Dates Differ Between School Boards
Ontario school boards are required to submit calendars to the Ministry of Education by March 1 of the previous year. While the Ministry provides a framework (including required holiday weeks and minimum instructional days), each board has some flexibility in how it arranges PA Days and the exact student start date. The result is that boards in different parts of the province can have different first days, even though Labour Day weekend creates a natural anchor for most of them. The Ontario Ministry of Education school year calendar framework confirms that the school year shall start on or after September 1 and end on or before June 30.
First Day of School 2026 by Ontario School Board
All dates confirmed from official board sources as of June 2026.
Toronto and Greater Toronto Area
| Board | First Day for Students | Notes |
| Toronto DSB (TDSB) | September 8, 2026 | PA Days Sept 2 and 3 for staff |
| Toronto CDSB (TCDSB) | September 8, 2026 | Recommended registration by June 19 for summer school |
| Peel DSB (PDSB) | September 1, 2026 | Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon |
| York Region DSB (YRDSB) | September 2026 (confirm with board) | 2026-27 calendar approved |
| Durham DSB (DDSB) | September 2026 (confirm with board) | Follows Ministry framework |
| Halton DSB (HDSB) | September 2026 (confirm with board) | Follows Ministry framework |
Ottawa Region
| Board | First Day for Students | Notes |
| Ottawa-Carleton DSB (OCDSB) | September 1, 2026 | PA Day Aug 31; Oct 2 PA Day next |
| Ottawa CDSB | September 2026 (confirm with board) | Follows provincial framework |
| Upper Canada DSB (UCDSB) | September 2, 2026 | Sept 1 PA Day; students begin Sept 2 |
Waterloo and Hamilton Region
| Board | First Day for Students | Notes |
| Waterloo Region DSB (WRDSB) | September 8, 2026 | PA Days Sept 2 and 3 confirmed |
| Hamilton-Wentworth DSB (HWDSB) | September 2026 (confirm with board) | Summer school runs July 2-29 |
| Grand Erie DSB | September 2026 (confirm with board) | Follows Ministry framework |
Eastern and Other Ontario Boards
| Board | First Day for Students | Notes |
| Limestone DSB | September 2, 2026 | September 1 is PA Day; students begin Sept 2 |
| Near North DSB | September 2026 (confirm with board) | Follows provincial framework |
| Algoma DSB | September 2026 (confirm with board) | Northern Ontario board |
| How to find your board: Visit your school board’s website directly or check the Ontario Ministry of Education’s school board directory at ontario.ca/page/school-year-calendars. Every Ministry-approved calendar for 2026-27 is publicly available. |
Full 2026-27 Ontario School Year Calendar at a Glance
These dates apply to most Ontario public boards. Verify your specific board’s calendar for exact dates.
| Event | Date(s) | Notes |
| PA Days (most boards) | September 2-3, 2026 | Staff professional development |
| First Day of School (most boards) | September 8, 2026 | After Labour Day weekend |
| Thanksgiving | October 13, 2026 | All schools closed |
| November PA Day (most boards) | Varies by board (approx. Nov 20) | Parent-teacher interviews or district |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027 | School resumes January 4, 2027 |
| Family Day | February 15, 2027 | All schools closed |
| March Break | March 15-19, 2027 | Confirmed for most major boards |
| Good Friday | April 2, 2027 | All schools closed |
| Easter Monday | April 5, 2027 | All schools closed |
| Victoria Day | May 18, 2027 | All schools closed |
| Last Day (Secondary, most boards) | June 28, 2027 | Confirmed TDSB, WRDSB |
| Last Day (Elementary, most boards) | June 29, 2027 | Confirmed TDSB, WRDSB |
March Break 2027 Ontario: Confirmed Dates
March Break 2027 in Ontario runs from Monday, March 15 to Friday, March 19, 2027. This is confirmed for OCDSB, UCDSB, WRDSB, and aligns with the Ministry’s provincial template. Most other Ontario boards will follow the same week. Read our full guide on March Break dates in Canada by province for comparison with other provinces.
Private School First-Day Dates in Ontario
Private schools in Ontario are not required to follow the same calendar as public boards, provided they meet the Ministry’s minimum 194 school-day requirement. At USCA Academy, a Ministry-inspected private high school in Mississauga, students can begin in September, January, or at other intake points during the year
This flexibility is especially useful for international students arriving in Canada outside the traditional September window, or for domestic students completing credit course upgrading outside the regular school schedule.
| Questions about enrolling mid-year or for September 2026? USCA Academy offers flexible intake dates throughout 2026-27. Call +1 (905) 232-0411 or visit uscaacademy.com to explore your options. Domestic and international students welcome year-round. |
Frequently Asked Questions About First Day of School Ontario 2026
1. When is the first day of school in Ontario in 2026?
For most Ontario students the first day of school in 2026 is Tuesday, September 8, 2026. This applies to the Toronto DSB, Toronto CDSB, Waterloo Region DSB, and many other boards. Ottawa-Carleton DSB students begin September 1, 2026. Peel DSB students also begin September 1. Limestone DSB and Upper Canada DSB students begin September 2, 2026. Always check your board’s website for the confirmed date specific to your school.
2. When is March Break in Ontario in 2027?
March Break 2027 in Ontario is confirmed as Monday, March 15 to Friday, March 19, 2027 for most boards, including Ottawa-Carleton DSB and Upper Canada DSB. WRDSB also confirmed the same week. Most other Ontario boards are expected to follow this same week, as the Ministry aligns all boards to the same provincial March Break window.
3. Are private schools in Ontario on the same calendar?
Not necessarily. Ministry-inspected private schools in Ontario must provide a minimum of 194 school days but set their own calendars. USCA Academy in Mississauga, for example, accepts students year-round with multiple intake periods. This is particularly useful for students who need to begin a course in November, January, or March rather than waiting for September. See USCA Academy’s program start dates and application process for details.
4. When does the Ontario 2026-27 school year end?
The 2026-27 school year ends in late June 2027. For TDSB and WRDSB, secondary students finish on Monday, June 28, 2027 and elementary students finish Tuesday, June 29, 2027. UCDSB secondary students finish June 25, 2027. The Ontario Ministry requires all school years to end by June 30.
