Back-to-school 2026: Key dates and costs for Calgary's public and Catholic schools
CBE and CCSD students start Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Here's what parents need to know about fees, breaks and first-week logistics.
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Calgary's back-to-school season brings two slightly different calendars depending on which system your child attends — plus new breaks both boards have aligned.
Students at Calgary Board of Education schools return Tuesday, Aug. 31, while Calgary Catholic School District students start Wednesday, Sept. 1. Staggered entry will apply at both systems, with individual schools setting their own timetables — parents should check email and school websites for specific times. The first week is short: both boards close Monday, Sept. 7 for Labour Day, resuming Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Both systems have adopted matching break schedules after CBE introduced fall breaks in 2023 and CCSD took feedback last winter. Fall break runs Nov. 11-15 for both. Winter break starts Dec. 19, with CBE students returning Jan. 4, 2027, and CCSD students Jan. 5. Spring break differs: CBE runs March 20-29, while CCSD observes Easter Break March 26 to April 4, 2027. Catholic students get two additional Faith Days: Oct. 30 and March 5, 2027.
All students observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept. 30) and routine statutory holidays including Thanksgiving (Oct. 12), Family Day (Feb. 15) and Victoria Day (May 24).
Fees separate into two categories: central fees set by each board (transportation and supervision), charged via MyCBE or Rycor for CBE and Student Quick Pay for CCSD, and school-set fees covering extras like field trips and extracurriculars. CCSD's Student Quick Pay will be unavailable Aug. 23 to Sept. 1. CCSD central fees are not yet posted online, though the board has said there are no large increases planned. Based on 2024 rates, families can expect a maximum of $80 for kindergarten, $85 for elementary, $90 for grade 7, and $125 for grades 8 and up. CBE has not yet released its central fees for 2026-27. CBE parent-teacher conference dates remain unposted; CCSD has announced theirs but dates were not given in available materials.
Downloadable calendars are available on each board's website for full details.
What are CBE's central fees by grade for 2026-27?
When are CBE parent-teacher conferences scheduled this year?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When do Calgary's public and Catholic school students start back?
Calgary Board of Education students return on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, while Calgary Catholic School District students start on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
When is fall break for Calgary schools?
Both Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School District observe fall break from November 11–15, 2026.
What are the expected central fees for Calgary Catholic students?
Based on 2024 rates, Calgary Catholic School District families can expect a maximum of $80 for kindergarten, $85 for elementary, $90 for grade 7, and $125 for grades 8 and up, though the board has stated there are no large increases planned for 2026–27.
