The first day of school for YCDSB students is Tuesday, September 8, 2026. This parent-friendly calendar brings together the dates Markham families are most likely to need before and during the 2026–27 school year.
Dates are based on the official York Catholic District School Board calendar and admissions information. School-specific events, orientations and deadlines can differ, so also read messages from your child’s school.
YCDSB dates to know before school starts
- September 2 and 3, 2026: Professional Activity Days for elementary and secondary schools
- September 7, 2026: Labour Day
- September 8, 2026: first day of school
Registering for the 2026–27 school year?
YCDSB’s current admissions page states that registrations for the 2026–27 school year continue to be accepted. Families can begin through the official YCDSB admissions page, submit the online form and then follow the emailed instructions to book an appointment and present the required original documents.
For secondary students, the official timeline identifies continual intake from January 5 through September 2026. New Grade 9 registrations submitted after the March planning date are still accepted, although course availability may be affected. The current elementary registration page also provides an active online registration option.
If a school is closed during the summer, use the contact options on the official admissions page. Families unfamiliar with Catholic-school admission can also use this site’s guides in Simplified Chinese or Traditional Chinese.
Professional Activity Days
The official 2026–27 calendar identifies the following PA Days. “Elementary” and “secondary” refer to the school panel affected.
- September 2 and 3, 2026 — elementary and secondary
- October 26, 2026 — elementary
- November 20, 2026 — elementary and secondary
- January 15, 2027 — elementary
- February 2, 2027 — secondary
- May 3, 2027 — secondary
- June 4, 2027 — elementary
- June 29, 2027 — secondary
- June 30, 2027 — elementary and secondary
Holidays and school breaks
- Labour Day — September 7, 2026
- Thanksgiving — October 12, 2026
- Christmas Break — December 21, 2026 through January 1, 2027
- Family Day — February 15, 2027
- March Break — March 15 through 19, 2027
- Good Friday — March 26, 2027
- Easter Monday — March 29, 2027
- Victoria Day — May 24, 2027
What Markham parents should do in August
- Confirm registration, address, emergency contacts, custody information and authorized pickup details.
- Check the school website and recent messages for arrival, orientation and classroom instructions.
- Set up School-Day, SchoolMessenger and Safe Arrival.
- Review the York Region school immunization checklist and submit any missing records.
- Begin the 10-day sleep-routine reset before the first day.
- Read the Ontario school cellphone rules with your child.
- Use the complete YCDSB back-to-school checklist before buying additional supplies.
Calendar reminder
Board dates do not replace school-specific information. Orientation schedules, picture days, Catholic School Council meetings, sports, clubs, concerts and other events are normally communicated by the individual school.
Frequently asked questions
When is the first day of YCDSB school in September 2026?
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 is the first day of school shown on the official YCDSB calendar.
Are September 2 and 3 school days for students?
No. The official calendar lists September 2 and 3 as Professional Activity Days for elementary and secondary schools.
Are YCDSB registrations still being accepted for 2026–27?
Yes. YCDSB’s current admissions page says registrations for the 2026–27 school year continue to be accepted. Secondary registrations are processed on a continual-intake basis through September 2026. Families should start online and follow the instructions provided by YCDSB or their local school.
Can dates change?
Board-wide dates should be checked against the current official calendar. School-specific events and instructions can change, so families should also monitor their school’s website, SchoolMessenger notices and direct communications.
Download the one-page parent calendar
Save the YCDSB 2026–27 important-dates sheet to your phone, print it at home or share it with another parent. The PDF includes a QR code back to this updated online guide.
Continue planning
Browse the YCDSB Parent Resource Library for admission, Kindergarten, transition, IEP, school-council and board-policy guides.
Official references: YCDSB 2026–27 School Year Calendar, YCDSB Admissions and Registration, Elementary Registration and Secondary Registration Timeline.
Corrected and reviewed August 29, 2026. Verify current requirements with YCDSB and your child’s school.