School Age and Grade Levels in the USA
The US education system follows different rules in each state. In most cases, a child’s school journey lasts 13 years, starting with Kindergarten and ending with 12th grade.
Preschool and Pre-K (Ages 3–5)
Preschool and Pre-K are optional. They are not part of the mandatory school system. These programs are usually run by private centers or community providers. The focus is on early learning, play, and social skills to prepare children for elementary school.
Elementary School (Ages 5–11)
Formal education begins with Kindergarten. While Kindergarten is not legally required in every state, almost all children attend. Public elementary schools are co-educational. Kindergarten may be full-day or half-day, depending on the school district.
Middle and High School (Ages 11–18)
Middle school usually includes grades 6 through 8. High school covers grades 9 through 12, where students earn a high school diploma. Most students graduate around age 18.
Important for Parents
The school year typically runs from late August or early September through June. Mandatory school attendance laws vary by state. Some states require school to start at age 5, while others begin at age 6, 7, or even 8.
School Age Requirements by State (USA)
| State / District | Kindergarten Age Cutoff | Kindergarten Mandatory | Compulsory School Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5 by Sep 1 | No | Year child turns 6 |
| Alaska | 5 by Sep 1 | No | Year child turns 7 |
| Arizona | 5 before Sep 1 | No | Year child turns 6 |
| Arkansas | 5 by Aug 1 | Yes | Year child turns 5 |
| California | 5 by Sep 1 | No | Year child turns 6 |
| Colorado | 5 by Oct 1 | No | If 6 by Aug 1 |
| Connecticut | 5 by Jan 1 | Yes | Year child turns 5 |
| Delaware | 5 by Aug 31 | Yes | If 5 by Aug 31 |
| District of Columbia | 5 by Sep 30 | Yes | If 5 by Sep 30 |
| Florida | 5 by Sep 1 | No | If 6 by Feb 1 |
| Georgia | 5 by Sep 1 | No | Year child turns 6 |
| Hawaii | 5 by Jul 31 | Yes | If 5 by Jul 31 |
| Idaho | 5 by Sep 1 | No | If 7 by first school day |
| Illinois | 5 by Sep 1 | No | If 6 by Sep 1 |
| Indiana | 5 by Aug 1 | No | Year child turns 7 |
| Iowa | 5 by Sep 15 | No | If 6 by Sep 15 |
| Kansas | 5 by Aug 31 | No | Year child turns 7 |
| Kentucky | 5 by Aug 1 | No | If 6 by Aug 1 |
| Louisiana | 5 by Sep 30 | Yes | Year child turns 7 |
| Maine | 5 by Oct 15 | No | Year child turns 7 |
| Maryland | 5 by Sep 1 | Yes | Year child turns 5 |
| Massachusetts | 5 by Aug 31 | No | Year child turns 6 |
| Michigan | 5 by Sep 1 | No | If 6 by Dec 1 |
| Minnesota | 5 by Sep 1 | No | Year child turns 7 |
| Mississippi | 5 by Sep 1 | No | If 6 by Sep 1 |
| Missouri | 5 before Aug 1 | No | Year child turns 7 |
| Montana | 5 by Sep 10 | No | If 7 by first school day |
| Nebraska | 5 by Jul 31 | No | If 6 by Jan 1 |
| Nevada | 5 by Sep 30 | Yes | Year child turns 7 |
| New Hampshire | 5 by Sep 1 | No | Year child turns 6 |
| New Jersey | 5 by Oct 1 | No | Year child turns 6 |
| New Mexico | 5 before Sep 1 | Yes | If 5 before Sep 1 |
| New York | 5 by Dec 1 | No | Year child turns 6 |
| North Carolina | 5 by Aug 31 | No | Year child turns 7 |
| North Dakota | 5 before Aug 1 | No | Year child turns 7 |
| Ohio | 5 by Aug 1 | Yes | Year child turns 6 |
| Oklahoma | 5 by Sep 1 | Yes | Year child turns 5 |
| Oregon | 5 by Sep 1 | No | Year child turns 6 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 years 7 months by school start | No | Year child turns 8 |
| Rhode Island | 5 by Sep 1 | Yes | If 6 by Sep 1 |
| South Carolina | 5 by Sep 1 | Yes | If 5 by Sep 1 |
| South Dakota | 5 by Sep 1 | Yes | Year child turns 6 |
| Tennessee | 5 by Aug 15 | Yes | Year child turns 6 |
| Texas | 5 by Sep 1 | No | Year child turns 6 |
| Utah | 5 before Sep 2 | No | Year child turns 6 |
| Vermont | 5 by Aug 31 | No | Year child turns 6 |
| Virginia | 5 by Sep 30 | Yes | If 5 by Sep 30 |
| Washington | 5 by Aug 31 | No | Year child turns 8 |
| West Virginia | 5 before Sep 1 | Yes | If 6 before Sep 1 |
| Wisconsin | 5 by Sep 1 | Yes | Year child turns 6 |
| Wyoming | 5 by Sep 15 | No | If 7 before Sep 15 |
States With Non-Standard Kindergarten Cut-Offs
Some states do not follow a single, state-wide kindergarten cut-off date. Entry rules in these states are set by local school districts or education authorities. The most common cut-off dates used are listed below.
- New Hampshire: 5 years old by September 1
- Massachusetts: 5 years old by August 31
- New Jersey: Cut-off set by local district, must be after October 1
- New York: Commonly 5 years old by December 1
- Pennsylvania: 4 years and 7 months old by the first day of school (usually September 1)
- Vermont: Commonly 5 years old by August 31 or January 1
- Ohio: Either August 1 or September 30, depending on district
Kindergarten Age by State (USA)
California
Children can start Kindergarten if they turn 5 by September 1. Kindergarten is not mandatory, but almost all children attend. California also offers Transitional Kindergarten (TK), a free public program for children who turn 5 between September 2 and December 2, designed to bridge preschool and Kindergarten.
New York
There is no single statewide cutoff. Entry rules are set by local school districts. Most districts require children to turn 5 by December 1, though August 1 is also common. Kindergarten is not mandatory, but children must attend school by age 6.
Florida
Kindergarten eligibility requires turning 5 by September 1. Schools must offer at least a half-day Kindergarten, but attendance is optional. Children who are 6 or turn 6 by February 1 must be enrolled in school that year.
Texas
Children are eligible for Kindergarten if they turn 5 by September 1. Kindergarten is not mandatory, but children must be enrolled in school once they turn 6.
Pennsylvania
Children can enter Kindergarten if they are 4 years and 7 months old by the first day of school, usually around September 1. Mandatory school age was recently lowered, requiring enrollment if a child turns 6 before September 1.
For this guide, the earliest commonly used cut-off date has been applied where multiple rules exist. This information is provided as a general reference only. Always confirm entry requirements with your local school or education authority.
Related: Helpful online age calculator to find your age in years, months, and days.