School Calendars – Next Three Years

Comox Valley Schools has approved district calendars for the next three school years: 2026–2027, 2027–2028 and 2028–2029.

Planning school calendars several years in advance helps provide greater predictability for students, families and staff. It also supports district and school planning, while helping families prepare for important dates such as the start and end of the school year, winter break, spring break and non-instructional days.

District school calendars are developed through a committee process. Comox Valley Schools’ Calendar Committee includes representatives from senior leadership, the Comox Valley Principals and Vice-Principals Association, the Comox District Teachers’ Association, CUPE Local 439, the District Parent Advisory Council and a trustee representative. Draft calendars are then shared for public review before being brought forward for board approval.

As part of this year’s process, families, staff and community members were invited to review the proposed calendars and provide feedback through a survey. The district received 111 written responses. The feedback was reviewed by the Calendar Committee and helped inform final consideration of the calendars before they were presented to the Board of Education for approval.

Overall, feedback reflected the importance of balancing provincial instructional time requirements, staff professional learning, and the scheduling needs of families. Common themes in the feedback included the impact of non-instructional days on childcare and work schedules, the timing of instructional and non-instructional days during the school year, and the need for clear communication about important dates.

Approved calendars

Questions and Answers

Why does Comox Valley Schools create a three-year calendar?
A multi-year calendar provides more certainty and helps students, families and staff plan ahead. It also supports district and school planning over a longer time frame.
How are school calendars developed?
School calendars are developed through the district’s Calendar Committee, which includes representatives from employee groups, parent representatives, senior leadership and a trustee representative. Draft calendars are then shared publicly for feedback before going to the Board of Education for approval.
Who was invited to provide feedback?
Families, staff and community members were invited to review the proposed calendars and share feedback through a public survey.
How much feedback was received?
The consultation survey received 111 written responses.
What did we hear during the consultation?
Several themes emerged in the feedback. These included the impact of non-instructional days on families and childcare, the timing and distribution of instructional and non-instructional days, and the importance of clear communication about key dates.
Why are non-instructional days included in the calendar?
Non-instructional days support professional learning, parent teacher interviews, planning and collaboration for staff. These days are an important part of the school year and help schools and educators support student learning.
How does the district balance family needs with school requirements?
When developing calendars, the district works to balance a range of considerations, including instructional time requirements set by the Ministry of Education and Child Care, staff professional learning needs, contractual obligations, operational requirements and the scheduling needs of families.
Have you considered additional childcare supports for non-instructional and Pro-D days?
The district will be in discussion with local childcare operators about remaining open where possible on days when schools are not in session due to non-instructional or Pro-D days. We hope that with this advanced notice these partners are able to support families by offering childcare options on those dates.
Will these updated calendars impact my child’s bussing schedule?
There will be minimal disruption (if any) to daily school schedules. Schools will message any adjustments to busing schedules in advance of the 2026-2027 school year.