Ontario School Calendar 2026-27: Holidays, PA Days and Important Dates
Admission Open for 2026-27
Quick Answer: The Ontario School Calendar year 2026-27 runs from September 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. The first day of classes for most students is September 8, 2026 (after Labour Day on September 7). Key dates: Winter Break runs December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027; Family Day is February 15, 2027; March Break is March 15-19, 2027 (confirmed for most major boards); Good Friday is April 2, 2027; Victoria Day is May 18, 2027; and the last day for secondary students at most boards is June 28, 2027. Individual school boards set PA Days within these provincial parameters. All dates in this guide are sourced from Ministry of Education documents and confirmed 2026-27 board calendars.
Key Highlights of Ontario School Calendar
The 2026-27 school year provides 196 possible school days, of which a minimum 194 are required under Ontario law
At least 3 PA Days per year must be designated as provincial priority days, with boards allowed up to 4 additional PA Days for their own priorities
March Break 2027 is confirmed as March 15-19 for OCDSB, UCDSB, WRDSB and aligns with the provincial Ministry template
The Christmas/Winter Break runs December 21, 2026 through January 1, 2027 for most Ontario boards
TDSB confirmed September 8, 2026 as first day for students, with PA Days September 2 and 3
Ontario Day (June 1) remains an instructional day in 2026-27 and cannot be scheduled as a PA Day
Full Ontario School Calendar 2026-27: Month by Month
September 2026
Date
Event
Notes
Sept 1-2, 2026
PA Days (varies by board)
OCDSB students start Sept 1; most others start later
Sept 7, 2026
Labour Day
All Ontario schools closed
Sept 8, 2026
First day (TDSB, WRDSB, TCDSB)
Majority of Ontario students return
Sept (varies)
PA Day (provincial priority)
Check your board — OCDSB Oct 2; others vary
October 2026
Date
Event
Notes
Oct 2, 2026
PA Day (OCDSB)
Provincial priority day
Oct 13, 2026
Thanksgiving Day
All Ontario schools closed
Oct (varies)
PA Day (most boards)
Ministry recommends October PA Day on a Monday
Oct 20-Nov 20
Fall progress report window
Elementary Grades 1-8 only
November 2026
Date
Event
Notes
Nov (varies)
PA Day (parent-teacher interviews)
Typically mid-November at most boards
Nov 11, 2026
Remembrance Day
Some boards observe; not a statutory holiday in Ontario
Nov 20, 2026
PA Day (TDSB, OCDSB)
Parent-educator interview day
Oct 20-Nov 20
Elementary fall progress reports issued
By Ministry requirement across all Ontario boards
December 2026 and January 2027
Date
Event
Notes
Dec 18, 2026
Last day before Winter Break (TDSB)
School resumes January 4, 2027
Dec 21, 2026
Winter Break begins (most boards)
WRDSB, OCDSB, UCDSB confirmed
Dec 25-26, 2026
Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Statutory holidays
Jan 1, 2027
New Year’s Day
Statutory holiday; school closed
Jan 4, 2027
School resumes (most boards)
After Winter Break
Jan 22-28, 2027
Semester 1 exams (OCDSB secondary)
Semestered schools
Jan 20-Feb 20
Elementary Term 1 report cards issued
Ministry-required reporting window
Jan 29, 2027
PA Day (OCDSB, Term 1 report)
Report card development day
February and March 2027
Date
Event
Notes
Feb 15, 2027
Family Day
All Ontario schools closed
Mar 15, 2027
March Break begins
Confirmed for OCDSB, UCDSB, WRDSB
Mar 19, 2027
March Break ends
Most boards return Monday, March 22
Mar 22, 2027
School resumes after March Break
Second half of Semester 2 begins
April and May 2027
Date
Event
Notes
Apr 2, 2027
Good Friday
All Ontario schools closed
Apr 5, 2027
Easter Monday
All Ontario schools closed
Apr 16, 2027
PA Day (OCDSB, Federation Day)
District priority day
May 18, 2027
Victoria Day
All Ontario schools closed
June 2027
Date
Event
Notes
June 1, 2027
Ontario Day
Instructional day; cannot be PA Day or exam day
June 4, 2027
PA Day (TDSB, OCDSB)
Term 2 report card development
June 10-23, 2027
Exams (non-semestered secondary)
OCDSB confirmed window
June 17-23, 2027
Semester 2 exams (semestered schools)
OCDSB confirmed
June 28, 2027
Last day (secondary, most boards)
TDSB, WRDSB confirmed
June 29, 2027
Last day (elementary, most boards)
TDSB, WRDSB confirmed
June 30, 2027
Final possible end of school year
Ministry maximum end date
Ontario Report Card Schedule for 2026-27
Ontario Ministry policy under Growing Success requires three formal reporting periods for elementary students. Secondary students in semestered schools receive two report cards per semester. For a detailed guide to what Ontario report cards contain, what each grade means, and when specific boards release them, see our dedicated guide on Ontario report card dates 2026.
Report Card
When Issued
Who Receives It
Fall Progress Report
Oct 20 to Nov 20, 2026
Elementary Grades 1-8 only
Elementary Term 1 Report
Jan 20 to Feb 20, 2027
Elementary Grades 1-8
Secondary Semester 1 Mid-Semester
After first 6 weeks of Semester 1
Secondary semestered schools
Secondary Semester 1 Final
Late January 2027
Secondary semestered schools
Elementary Term 2 Report (Final)
June 2027
Elementary Grades 1-8
Secondary Semester 2 Final
June 2027
Secondary semestered schools
PA Days in Ontario 2026-27: What They Are and Why They Matter
PA (Professional Activity) Days are school days when teachers attend professional development, prepare report cards, or participate in board training. Students do not attend. Ontario boards must designate exactly 7 PA Days per year: 3 must be provincial priority days set by the Ministry, and up to 4 may be set by individual boards. For a full explanation of PA Days and how to plan around them as a parent, read our guide on what happens on PA Days in Ontario.
Common 2026-27 PA Day windows by board (confirmed or planned):
September: Most boards with Sept 8 start date have PA Days on Sept 2 and 3 (TDSB, WRDSB confirmed)
October: Ministry recommends a Monday PA Day in October to coincide with upcoming municipal elections
November: Many boards schedule a November PA Day for parent-educator interview preparation
January: End of Semester 1 or Term 1 report card development
June: End of year report card development and professional learning
How Private Schools Handle the Ontario Calendar
Ministry-inspected private schools in Ontario follow the statutory holiday schedule (Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) but set their own PA Days, semester structure, and start dates. USCA Academy, a Ministry-inspected private high school in Mississauga, offers year-round enrollment with flexible intake in September, January, and at other points. All credits completed at USCA are recognized by Ontario universities for OUAC applications and count toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ontario School Calendar 2026-27
1. When does school start in Ontario for the 2026-27 school year?
The 2026-27 school year officially begins September 1, 2026. However, the first day of classes for students varies by board. Most Toronto-area students begin September 8, 2026 (the day after Labour Day weekend). Ottawa-Carleton and Peel DSB students start September 1. Limestone DSB and Upper Canada DSB students start September 2.
2. How many school days are in Ontario 2026-27?
The 2026-27 Ontario school year includes 196 possible school days between September 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027. Of these, a minimum of 194 must be scheduled by each board: 187 instructional days for elementary students and 177 instructional days plus 10 exam days for secondary students, with 7 PA Days for both.
3. When are Ontario schools closed in 2026-27?
Provincial statutory holidays when all Ontario schools are closed in 2026-27: Labour Day (September 7, 2026), Thanksgiving (October 13, 2026), Christmas vacation (December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027), Family Day (February 15, 2027), March Break (March 15-19, 2027), Good Friday (April 2, 2027), Easter Monday (April 5, 2027), Victoria Day (May 18, 2027). Individual boards also schedule 7 PA Days throughout the year when students do not attend.
