Back-to-school times can be stressful, and each school division in Alberta has different messages for parents. Check out this list for a few of southern Alberta’s school districts, and what you need to know as a parent.
Medicine Hat School Division
For elementary school kids, classes starts back up on September 1st, and the division is asking parents to check their children’s school’s websites for bell schedules and school supply lists. Find your school here.
Middle and high school aged kids will have to check their schools website for bell schedules, first day and school supply lists. Find your school here.
School bus routes will be updated on or after August 14th, but the website warns routes can still change further. There will also be a grace period, where no child will be turned away regardless of registration confirmation for the first few weeks of school. First time school bus riders can attend My First Ride, an event where parents and kids can learn about bus safety, rules and take a ride on the bus. These events will be taking place Crescent Heights High School, Friday, Aug 21, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m and Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre – Bus lane, Friday, Aug 21, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Email communications@sd76.ab.ca or contact your child’s school for more information.
Grasslands Public Schools (Brooks and area)
Schools in the area will be open August 25th, with students starting classes on August 31st, but parents are encouraged to check their schools website for more specific dates and start times, as well as school supply lists.
Students eligible for the bus can register online or at the Grasslands Board Office beginning August 19th. The program is based on distance from the school, so not all students will qualify. (1.6km for Grades K-6 and 2km for Grades 7-12 ). Students living outside of Brooks will not need to register, as long as they are registered with a Grasslands School.
Grasslands also features “Walking School Busses” your child can join a walking school bus led by an adult to help students get to and from school. If interested, parents are asked to sign up through their children’s school.
Lethbridge School Division
School offices open on Wednesday August 19th, and parents can stop by the office or their neighborhood school for more details or help with registration.
To find out which school your child will be attending, please enter your address in the SchoolLocator page.
First day of classes will be Tuesday September 1st, however elementary and middle schools may have incorporated staggered entry, and details can be found through individual school websites.
A list of Division schools, which includes phone numbers and address, can also be found here: SCHOOLS.
Siksika Board of Education
For on-reserve schools, registration takes place on-location. Forms are available at the schools or at the SBE board office. Returning students are automatically enrolled for the next year. For off-reserve schools, registration forms can be found on the SBE website or office, and intent-to-return forms for returning students are provided by those off-reserve schools, or you can pick up a copy at the SBE Board Office.
For bus transportation, registration for the school bus only if the stude4nt is new, has changed schools or has a different pick up/drop off than location than previous years. Registration forms can be found on the SBE website or the office. First day of school is August 31st.
Tsuut’ina Nation
Citizens of the Nation can get a $100 Sobeys or Safeway gift card, per member, as part of their Back-to-School 2026 Gift Card program. The dates listed are September 1st and 2nd, and more details will release soon.
Calgary Board of Education
For information related to your child’s school, such as the 2026-27 calendar, school supplies, schedule, registration, or transportation, visit the Back-to-School page on your child’s school website.
To determine your child’s designated school and find their school website, use the Find-a-School tool.
When a regular program school reaches capacity, new registrations are capped, and an overflow school is established. Find your child’s designated school has an overflow school here.
Parents are encouraged to get set up with a MyCBE account. This account allows you access to academic information, learning activites, registration for noon supervision or transportation, fee payments and school conference information. To access your child’s MyCBE account, you’ll need their CBE ID number, which can be found beside their report card, on their student ID card.
Parents will also need SchoolMessenger, which schools use to send news, announcements and also absence notifications. If your child is new to the CBE or if you have recently changed your phone number, you will receive a text (SMS) message from 978338 asking if you would like to receive Calgary Board of Education alerts. This message is safe and sent for your protection.
Rocky View Schools
Most students are expected back in class September 2nd, but as some school use staggered entry, parents are encouraged to check their school’s website for specific dates. Return students should be automatically registered, but parents who are unsure can check through the PowerSchool system.
Calendars and school supply lists are on specific school websites, check your child’s school for more details. The divisions school calendar is available to view online.
RVS said it communicates with families through email, text and phone messages using SchoolMessenger.
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