For perhaps the first time in North’s history, the initial day of classes for the 2026-2027 academic year will take place before Labor Day, as the administration attempts to avoid ending the school year in late June. 

According to the Newton Teachers Association’s (NTA) contract, the first day of classes has historically occurred after Labor Day. Moving the first day of classes to before Labor Day was only recently made possible by a change to the contract.

According to Vice Principal Amy Winston, Superintendent Anna Nolin began working on the 2026-2027 calendar during the fall of 2025. “Options were presented to the school committee and the NTA leadership, revisions were made, and then the school committee approved it,” Winston said.

Winston added that the school committee overlooks and approves each year’s calendar, and has the final say over decisions within the realm of contractual requirements.

According to the NTA contract, the shift was added to provide greater flexibility in scheduling the school calendar. 

“If we started after Labor Day, the last day of school for students without any snow days would be Wednesday, June 24, which is really late,” said Winston. She added that she thinks most students, staff, and families will agree with the earlier start rather than the late-finish alternative. 

Sophomore Celia Granofsky said, “I definitely would prefer an earlier start, rather than a late finish.” Granofsky said. 

English teacher Sherri Ziomek said that the change does not affect her because she starts preparing for the year in August. “I’m just excited to start,” she said.

Ziomek added that she predicts that students will have a similar reaction. “They are always excited during the beginning of the school year, and I don’t think coming back before Labor Day will change their attitude,” Ziomek said.

With the shift in start date for next school year, the last day of school for students without any snow days will be Thursday, June 18.