2025-2026 Diploma and PAT Assessment Update
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November 5, 2025
There is an important update regarding the January 2026 Grade 12 Diploma Exams and Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) (Read release from Alberta.ca).
On October 31, 2025, at 4 PM, Alberta Education announced that the January Diploma Exams, as well as the Grade 9 PATs, have been cancelled. Here is how it impacts our instructional calendar to assure student learning:
- The previously scheduled Exam Break running from January 12 to 27, 2026, is cancelled and students are expected to attend classes as scheduled from January 12 to 23, 2026.
- All cumulative final exams are cancelled for all high schools.
- Teachers may conduct unit exams, assessments, and learning activities during regular class time (up to and including January 23).
- Teachers may conduct unit exams, assessments, and learning activities during regular class time (up to and including January 23).
- No regular classes are scheduled for the following days:
- January 26 – Transition Day for High School
- January 27 – Transition Day for High School
- Semester 2 begins Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Final Grades
- Grade 12 students will receive the school-awarded mark as their final mark.
- Students will have a notation on their transcript to assure the student meets criterion to graduate or transition into post-secondary education.
- Learner Profiles will be available to families February 2 to 13 on the Edsembli Family Portal.
Option to Write Diploma Exams
Students enrolled in a first semester course who wish to write the Diploma Exam will have the option to write in the Spring. Students are to contact their school administration to register to write the diploma on the specified dates:
- April 7-17, 2026 or
- June 8-23, 2026
We recognize that these assessments are significant milestones for our students. Teachers will continue to assess student learning through classroom activities, assignments, and unit exams. As always, student gradebooks are accessible for families to view on an ongoing basis in the Edsembli Family Portal. Please continue to be engaged in your child’s learning and reach out to their teachers if you have any questions or concerns about their progress.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we adjust to this change in January 2026 assessments. If you have questions regarding the cancellation of assessments or would like more information, please connect with the Ministry of Education and Childcare. For all other inquiries regarding your child’s learning, please contact your child’s school.
For Elementary and Junior High Schools, the January 23, 2026, Professional Learning Day will resume as scheduled. January 23 is an instructional day for High Schools.
October 31, 2025
Foothills School Division has been informed by the Minister of Education and Childcare, that the January 2026 Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) and Grade 12 Diploma Exams have been cancelled for all school authorities including public, separate, francophone, charter, and independent schools (Read release from Alberta.ca).
The following details have been shared:
- Grade 12 students will receive the school-awarded mark as their final mark.
- A notation on their transcript will be made to assure the student meets criterion to graduate or transition into post-secondary education.
- Students will have the option to write diploma exams in April or June 2026.
The Division will communicate further details to students and families after the scope of this change is more fully understood.
From Alberta.ca:
