Back to School Information - September 2026

We can't wait to welcome students and families back for the 2026-2027 school year! Most students will head back to school on Wednesday, September 9, but start times may vary depending on your child's grade or program.

Kindergarten Gradual Entry

Kindergarten students begin the year with a gradual entry process. This helps them adjust to school and gives teachers time to get to know each child. 

Most kindergarten students will attend for one hour on September 9. Your school will contact you with the time and your child's gradual entry schedule. Most students will begin full-day attendance by September 10 or 11, but this may vary by school. 

Families who want a longer gradual entry can talk with the teacher or principal.

First Day of School Times - September 9

* School buses will run on a modified schedule to accommodate these early dismissal times. See the School Bus section below.

Elementary - Grades 1 to 5

Middle & Secondary Schools

* There will be no lunch program at middle and secondary schools during the first week of school.

Outlying Schools

Elm Alternate School at Robron Centre

New and returning students will be contacted to book intake appointments between September 9 and 15. Students will meet with staff to create their learning plans before regular classes begin on September 16. For more information, call (250) 923-4918 starting August 27.

New Student Registration

If your child is new to our school district, please register as soon as possible. This includes kindergarten students, students new to public school, and students who have moved into a new school area or from another school district.

Please register at your neighbourhood catchment school. Student placement depends on space, facilities, programs and staffing. If there is no space at your neighbourhood school, your child may be placed at a nearby school and added to the waitlist.

To register, please bring your child's birth certificate, BC Services Card and proof of your BC address, such as a hydro or phone bill, rental agreement or tax notice.

Elementary Schools (Grades K-5)

Elementary schools reopen on September 2 for registrations and questions. Contact your school directly for office hours.

Middle Schools (Grades 6-8)

Middle schools reopen on September 2 for registrations and questions. Grade 6 students are invited to tour their new schools on September 3. Phoenix tours are at 10 a.m. and Southgate tours are at 1 p.m. If you cannot attend, please contact Phoenix at (250) 287-8346 or Southgate at (250) 923-4253.

Secondary Schools (Grades 9-12)

Carihi counsellors will be available August 31 from noon to 3 p.m. and September 1 to 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Carihi office will be open August 31 from noon to 3 p.m., September 1 from 12:30 to 3 p.m., and September 2 to 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Timberline counsellors and registration staff will be available August 31 and September 1 to 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For appointments, contact Carihi at (250) 286-6282 or Timberline at (250) 923-9500.

Transfer Requests

If your child has an approved transfer, they can start at the new school on the first day. If the transfer is still pending or your child is on a waitlist, they must stay at their current school until you are contacted. Families will be contacted by September 11 at the latest. Late transfer requests are added to the waitlist. Parents are responsible for transportation to and from the new school.

Returning Late or Moving?

If your child is already registered but will miss the first week of school, please tell your school in writing by August 31. If your child does not attend and the school has not heard from you, they may be withdrawn. If you are moving away, please tell the school so we can update our records and waitlists.

School Bus Transportation

Students must have a bus pass to ride the school bus. Bus pass applications and route information are available on our Student Transportation webpage. Route schedules are also available from your school office or the transportation office at 1621 14th Ave. 

If your child already has a bus pass, was not a courtesy rider and there are no changes to their home address or school, their pass is still valid for the 2026-2027 school year. See the Student Transportation webpage for more information on our bus pass system, including when and how to apply.

Until a new student receives their bus pass, they will need to provide their first and last name to the bus driver. Students should be at their stop five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. 

School buses will run on a modified schedule to accommodate early dismissal times on September 9. Regular bus schedules start September 10, except for Robron Centre, which starts September 16. 

Accessible routes will be finalized in September, and families will be contacted directly.

Questions? Contact the transportation department at (250) 287-8808 ext. 2 or transportation@sd72.bc.ca. 

September 9 Bus Departure Times from School

*Quadra students will take the 12:40 p.m. ferry home.