Understanding SD43

SD43 key dates for 2026-27: first day, breaks, and pro-D days

School starts Tuesday, September 8, 2026 in the Coquitlam school district (SD43), winter break runs December 21 to January 1, and spring break is March 15 to 29. Here are all the dates families plan around for 2026-27, including the professional development days when schools close but staff are still in.

The 2026-27 calendar

The 2026-27 year at a glance

  1. First day of schoolTuesday, September 8, 2026, the day after Labour Day
  2. District pro-D dayFriday, September 25, 2026
  3. Truth and Reconciliation DayWednesday, September 30, 2026
  4. Thanksgiving DayMonday, October 12, 2026
  5. District pro-D dayFriday, October 23, 2026
  6. Remembrance DayWednesday, November 11, 2026
  7. Last day before winter breakFriday, December 18, 2026
  8. Winter breakMonday, December 21, 2026 to Friday, January 1, 2027
  9. School resumesMonday, January 4, 2027
  10. BC Family DayMonday, February 15, 2027
  11. District pro-D dayFriday, February 26, 2027
  12. Last day before spring breakFriday, March 12, 2027
  13. Spring breakMonday, March 15 to Monday, March 29, 2027 (two weeks)
  14. School resumesTuesday, March 30, 2027
  15. District pro-D dayFriday, April 23, 2027
  16. Victoria DayMonday, May 24, 2027
  17. Last day of school for studentsTuesday, June 29, 2027
  18. Administrative day (no students)Wednesday, June 30, 2027

Each school also adds two non-instructional days of its own.

Kindergarten gradual entry

New Kindergarten students don't start with a full day on September 8. SD43 uses gradual entry, so they attend for a few hours or half days at first and build up to full days over the first couple of weeks. The exact schedule, including whether the class is split into a morning group and an afternoon group, is set by each school, so your child's Kindergarten teacher emails families the specific plan before the first day. Children are eligible for Kindergarten if they turn 5 on or before December 31 of the registration year.

Pro-D days vary a bit by school

SD43's four district-wide professional development days close every school in the district to students. On top of those, each school picks two more non-instructional days of its own, and those vary from school to school. For the two school-based days at your child's school, check that school's own calendar or newsletter.

Where the official calendar lives

The district keeps an interactive version of the school year calendar you can view by month and print, and it's the place to check if anything shifts. You can find it on the SD43 school year calendar page.

Frequently asked questions

When is the first day of school in SD43 for 2026?
Tuesday, September 8, 2026. September 7 is Labour Day that year, so classes start the day after.
How long is spring break in SD43?
Two weeks. School lets out after Friday, March 12, 2027, break runs March 15 to March 29, and students are back Tuesday, March 30.
When does SD43 winter break start and end?
The last day of classes is Friday, December 18, 2026. Break runs December 21 to January 1, and school picks back up Monday, January 4, 2027.
Which days are the SD43 district pro-D days?
Friday September 25, Friday October 23, Friday February 26, and Friday April 23. Schools are closed to students on those four days.
Are the two extra non-instructional days the same at every SD43 school?
No, each school selects its own two non-instructional days, so they differ. Check your child's school calendar for those two dates.
Did the new Moody Elementary change any of this?
These dates apply across all of SD43. The new Moody Elementary at 110 Buller Street welcomed students in January 2026, and its official opening ceremony was held later, on April 24, 2026.

Sources

By Jessica Morrison, SD43 School Trustee Candidate · Updated August 20, 2026