As the district prepares to finalize the 2026-2027 school calendar, students, parents and faculty were given the chance to share their opinions through a survey. With more than 1,100 responses, the results reveal strong preferences about breaks, start dates and work-life balance.
The survey showed that about 72.58% of respondents were parents, followed by faculty and staff at 11.09%, students at 8.47% and a smaller group identifying as both parents and school faculty. Overall, a majority favoured a later August start date, an early April spring break and two full weeks off for winter break. Many also showed interest in four-day weekends instead of longer single breaks.
Through the stress and discipline of managing students, faculty members have a crucial role in deciding when these breaks should be put in place.
“As an employee, everything revolves around the calendar, including vacations, family time and a second job, so having some input on breaks is important and helps myself and my family plan for big events wisely,” Instructional Coach Carrie Murray said.
Variables most people wouldn’t think of get weighed by faculty and parents when considering the school calendar. While the length and timing of breaks may not appear important, they can be very impactful for teachers and staff. This is especially true about summer break.
“Teachers already work most of August with a later start, so moving it up [an earlier end to summer break] would mean working in July as well. Teachers and students need to refresh and reflect when possible,” Murray said.
Although many students didn’t respond, some of those who did had opposing opinions when considering when or how long breaks should be put in place.
“I would prefer earlier August, because that is when it cools down a little bit and you’re not really missing the hot days outside. You’re not really missing too much UV. I don’t really want to be out of school for most of the summer,” Haidyn Kelsey (10) said.
Despite Kelsey’s (10) thoughts, 65.59% of respondents said they would prefer a later start to the school year, with only 34.41% of respondents siding with an earlier or mid-August start.
While opinions on the best times for breaks and days off vary, the calendar survey is a good way to get the faculty, student, parent and community members’ thoughts when considering the schedule for the next school year.
