Elementary and secondary school students in Ottawa will be returning to school four weeks today, with the school year beginning before Labour Day. The late date for Labour Day this year forced some school boards to begin classes before the holiday weekend to fit in the required 194 days of school. Both the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and Ottawa Catholic School Board will begin classes on Tuesday, Sept. 1. “If the school year were to begin after the September long weekend, there would not be enough days remaining before June 30, 2027, to meet the Ministry (of Education’s) required 194 days,” The Ottawa Catholic School Board said in a report to trustees in January. “When this happens, boards must look at starting the school year before Labour Day.” Students in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and Ottawa Catholic School Board will have Christmas break between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1, with classes resuming on Jan. 4. March Break will be the week of March 15 to 19. The last day of classes for the Ottawa Catholic School Board will be June 24, while the OCDSB school year ends on June 25. The first day of classes for students in several boards across Ontario, including the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic School Board and the York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board, is Sept. 8, with the final day of classes on June 29. French language schools in Ottawa The first day of classes at the Conseil des ecoles catholiques du Centre-Est will be Aug. 17 for Bernard-Grandmaitre, Jonathan Pitre and Marie-Soleil schools and Aug. 18 for virtual students. All other schools will begin the school year on Aug. 25, with the final day of classes on June 18. Eastern Ontario Students in the Upper Canada District School Board and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario will return to classes on Sept. 2. Sept. 1 is a PA Day for the two school boards. The final day of classes for students in the Upper Canada District School Board and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario is June 25. Renfrew County The first day of classes for students in the Renfrew County District School Board and Renfrew County Catholic District School Board is Sept. 2. Sept. 1 is a PA Day in the two school boards. The last day of school for students is June 25.
