Back to School Ontario 2026: First Day Dates, School Supplies and Parent Checklist

Key Highlights of Back to School Ontario

• Most Ontario students return to school on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the day after Labour Day weekend
• Ottawa-Carleton DSB and Peel DSB are among boards that start September 1, 2026, with students beginning that same day
• Labour Day 2026 is Monday, September 7, meaning no school across all Ontario boards on that date
• The 2026-27 school year runs from September 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 for most Ontario public boards
• Ontario Ministry of Education confirmed 194 minimum school days for 2026-27, of which at least 3 are mandatory provincial PA Days
• Private schools like USCA Academy in Mississauga set their own schedules and may offer flexible start dates including fall, January, and spring intakes

First Day of School Dates by Major Board in 2026

Most Ontario public school boards follow the same Labour Day calendar structure. Labour Day 2026 falls on Monday, September 7. Here is what each major board has confirmed for student start dates.

Note: PA Days on September 2 and 3 are confirmed for TDSB (staff professional activity days). This means students with those boards do not attend class on those dates. Always verify with your specific school.

What Happens on PA Days Before the First Day of School

Ontario Ministry regulations require at least 3 provincial PA Days per year. Most boards schedule 7 total. The first PA Days of 2026-27 are typically September 2 and 3 for boards starting September 8. On those days, teachers complete professional development, set up classrooms, and complete administrative preparation. Students do not attend. For a full explanation of what PA Days involve and how to plan around them, read our guide on what happens on PA Days in Ontario.

Complete School Supplies List for Ontario Students 2026

Grades 1 to 6: Elementary Essentials

• Backpack (waterproof recommended, sized for an elementary-aged child)
• Pencils (HB, pack of 12 minimum)
• Coloured pencils or markers (24-count set)
• Pencil case
• Eraser and pencil sharpener
• Ruler (30 cm)
• Scissors (safety scissors for Grades 1-3)
• Glue sticks (2 to 4)
• Notebooks (lined and blank, at least 2 of each)
• Duo-tang folders in multiple colours
• Crayons (16 or 24-count)
• Reusable water bottle
• Lunch box or bag
• Running shoes for indoor physical education

Grades 7 and 8: Middle Years Supplies

• Binder (1.5 inch or 2 inch) with dividers
• Lined looseleaf paper (200 sheets)
• Pencils, black and blue pens, one red pen for corrections
• Scientific calculator (basic models like Casio fx-300 work well at this level)
• Highlighters (3 to 4 colours)
• Sticky notes
• USB drive or access to Google Drive or OneDrive
• Agenda or planner (many schools provide one)
• Protractor and compass set
• Earbuds for digital learning

Grades 9 to 12: High School Checklist

High school students need course-specific materials that often vary by subject. The core supplies list for Grade 9 through Grade 12 in Ontario includes the following.

• Laptop or tablet (Chromebook accepted in most Ontario public schools; required in many)
• Earbuds or headphones
• Binder and looseleaf for subjects that require handwritten notes
• Scientific calculator (Casio fx-991 or TI-30XIIS for math and science)
• USB drive or consistent cloud storage access
• Pens (blue and black), pencils, highlighters in 4 colours
• Ruler and geometry set (required for Grade 10 math and science)
• Subject-specific materials: art supplies for visual arts, gym shoes for physical education
• Personal agenda or digital calendar for tracking assignment deadlines

Note for Grade 12 students: If you are applying to university through OUAC this year, set up your account before school starts and bookmark your school board’s OUAC guidance page. Getting your application started early makes everything less stressful in November and January when deadlines arrive. Our OUAC 101 guide walks you through the full process.

Parent Readiness Checklist for September 2026

This checklist covers the practical steps parents can take before the first day of school to avoid last-minute stress.

Two Weeks Before School

1. Confirm your child’s school board and school start date on the official school board website
2. Update emergency contacts and medical information with your child’s school if any details have changed
3. Purchase school supplies based on your child’s grade level (lists above)
4. Book a doctor’s appointment if your child needs a physical, updated vaccines, or prescription renewals before September
5. For new students: confirm your child’s registration and classroom assignment

One Week Before School

6. Label all supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes, and shoes with your child’s name
7. Establish a sleep schedule (shifting bedtimes earlier by 15 minutes per day helps children adjust)
8. Complete any school forms sent home in August, including emergency cards and photo consent forms
9. Walk or drive the route to school so your child is familiar with it before Day 1
10. For high school students: check the school timetable online and confirm locker assignment if available

The Night Before the First Day

11. Pack the backpack completely, including supplies, lunch, water bottle, and any completed forms
12. Set out clothing
13. Confirm what time school starts and how long the commute takes
14. Review your child’s timetable or class schedule together
15. Get to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual

The Morning of the First Day

16. Allow extra travel time, as school zones are significantly busier on September 8
17. Take the first-day photo if your family does this
18. Confirm pickup or after-school plan if applicable
19. Check whether your board uses an app like SchoolMessenger or Safe Arrival for attendance reporting

What to Expect at Private Schools and Flexible-Intake Schools

Students at Ministry-inspected private schools in Ontario follow a different schedule than public boards. USCA Academy, for example, accepts students in September, January, March, and at other points during the year. This flexible intake system is particularly valuable for international students who may arrive in Canada at different points in the academic year, and for domestic students who need to start credit course upgrading outside the traditional September start window.

Students completing OSSD credits online at USCA Academy can begin at almost any point, which is especially useful for students who need to upgrade a Grade 12 course before an OUAC deadline. Read student reviews from families who have used USCA’s flexible model.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ontario’s 2026 Back to School Dates