The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is a large English-language public school board serving Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada. Headquartered at 1170 Highway 26 West, Midhurst, Ontario L9X 1N6, the board serves approximately 50,000 students across 116 schools — including 87 elementary schools, 14 secondary schools, 9 alternative secondary schools, and 6 learning centres — supported by over 6,000 staff members.

The board’s motto — “Your Future… Our Priority” — reflects its commitment to providing equitable, inclusive, high-quality education across one of Ontario’s largest geographic school districts, spanning communities from Barrie, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Orillia, and New Tecumseth to First Nations communities throughout Simcoe County.

SCDSB is governed by elected trustees representing distinct geographic zones across the county, with the Board led by Chair Brandy Rafeek and Director of Education Dawn Stephens.

Simcoe County District School Calendar 2026-2027

Geographic Coverage

Simcoe County is a large and geographically diverse county in central Ontario, encompassing urban, suburban, rural, and cottage-country communities. The SCDSB serves communities including:

• Barrie (wards 1-10)
• Bradford West Gwillimbury
• Collingwood and Wasaga Beach
• Orillia, Ramara, and Severn
• Innisfil
• Midland, Penetanguishene, Tay, and Tiny
• New Tecumseth
• Oro-Medonte and Springwater
• Adjala-Tosorontio, Clearview, CFB Borden, and Essa
• First Nation Communities (represented by a dedicated elected trustee)

This geographic diversity means SCDSB students range from urban Barrie neighbourhoods to rural agricultural communities to lakefront and ski resort towns like Collingwood — requiring transportation networks and programmes adapted to widely varying community needs.

Calendar Development Process

Each year, SCDSB engages the public school community in calendar development before the Ministry of Education grants final approval. The board welcomes input from staff, parents or guardians, students, and community members on the proposed calendar, with a feedback deadline of January 16, 2026, to stay on track with Ministry of Education timelines.

Simcoe County District School Board Calendar 2026-2027 — Key Dates

The following dates are sourced from the official SCDSB 2026-2027 School Year Calendar (scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/school_year_calendar).

Professional Activity (PA) Days

Ontario’s Education Act requires a minimum of 194 school days, with three mandatory Professional Activity (PA) days and four discretionary PA days for a total of seven PA days per school year. On PA days, teachers engage in professional development while students do not attend school. SCDSB publishes a summary of planned activities for educators during each PA Day on its website.

5-Day Instructional Cycle

The 5-day instructional cycle means that instead of scheduling class programs on a Monday-to-Friday timetable, programs are scheduled on a Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5 sequence — providing flexibility and consistency in course delivery regardless of statutory holidays or PA days falling mid-week.

Last verified: 23 July 2026. Official source: Simcoe County District School Board — School Year Calendar (scdsb.on.ca)

How This Calendar Differs from Australian Calendars

Families familiar with Australian school calendars should note several key differences:

• September start: Ontario schools begin in September (after Labour Day), unlike Australia’s late January/February start
• Two semesters: Ontario uses a semester system rather than Australia’s four-term system
• Academic year: September to June (not January to December)
• Holidays: Canadian holidays (Thanksgiving in October, Remembrance Day, Family Day, Victoria Day) differ entirely from Australian public holidays
• Grade system: Ontario uses Kindergarten–Grade 12, not the Australian Kindergarten–Year 12 nomenclature (though broadly equivalent)

Academic Programmes

SCDSB offers a comprehensive range of programmes across its elementary and secondary schools:

• French as a Second Language (FSL) — Core French and Extended French options
• International Languages — supporting multilingual communities across the county
• Outdoor Education — leveraging Simcoe County’s natural environment including Georgian Bay, ski hills, and forests
• EQAO — Education Quality and Accountability Office assessments in Grades 3, 6, and 9
• Summer Learning — bridging and enrichment programmes
• Multilingual learning support
• EcoSchools Canada — each year, SCDSB schools participate in the EcoSchools Canada certification program, reflecting the board’s commitment to environmental education

Transportation

SCDSB transportation is managed by the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC), coordinating routes across the board’s large geographic service area. Families can access bus stop information, delays, and cancellations through the SCSTC website and the MyStop mobile app. Eligibility is based on distance from school and specific programme criteria.

Registration

Families can register new students online through the SCDSB website or in person at their local school. Early registration is encouraged to ensure timely placement, transportation arrangements, and access to orientation sessions. A dedicated Student Registration Form is available at scdsb.on.ca.

Student Resources

The SCDSB Student Portal provides secure access to:

• Google Classroom — assignment and classroom management
• D2L (Brightspace) — learning management platform
• Office 365 — productivity tools for in-class and remote learning

Athletics and Co-Curricular

SCDSB Athletics promotes physical activity, teamwork, and sportsmanship across competitive and recreational programmes including basketball, soccer, cross country, volleyball, and track and field — at local, regional, and sometimes provincial levels. The board’s athletic programme aligns with its broader mission of nurturing well-rounded individuals.

District Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the 2026-2027 school year start for SCDSB?

The first day of school is Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The first day for year-one Kindergarten students is Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Is SCDSB in Australia?

No. SCDSB is located in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada. It is a Canadian public school board, not an Australian school — despite appearing on this site alongside Australian school calendars.

When is Christmas Break?

Christmas Holidays run from December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027.

How many school days are in the 2026-2027 year?

The Ministry of Education has approved 194 possible school days between September 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.

Who leads SCDSB?

Dawn Stephens is Director of Education and Brandy Rafeek is Chair of the Board.

Related Canadian / International School Calendars

(SCDSB is the only Canadian school on this site. For other international school calendars, see the UK section (Cumberland Community School, Albion Primary School) or New Zealand section (Fitzroy School).)