How school age works
Most US states require children to turn 5 by a cutoff date (commonly Sep 1) to start kindergarten that fall. From kindergarten entry, grade = school year − entry year + 1: a child starting K in 2024 is in 2nd grade in 2026–27. The calculator applies your cutoff to the birth date and walks the whole K–12 timeline.
Reading the table
- Kindergarten year — the fall they start; current grade — based on the current school year.
- Grade-by-year map — K through 12th with ages, useful for planning and comparing districts.
- Cutoff sensitivity: a child born Aug 25 is 5 by Sep 1, so they start K that fall under a Sep 1 cutoff — but under an Aug 1 cutoff they'd have to wait a year. The dropdown shows how the choice matters.
- Redshirting (delaying K entry) shifts everything one year later.
Beyond the US
This tool models the US system (K–12). UK (Reception at 4), Australia and Canada use different entry rules — check local guidance. Pair with the Graduation Year Calculator for the endpoint of the same timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the kindergarten and 1st grade age cutoff date?
In most US states, children must turn 5 on or before September 1 (or August 31 / December 1 depending on local state guidelines) to enroll in Kindergarten, and turn 6 by that cutoff to enter 1st grade.
Q: What grade should a child born in 2019 or 2020 be in?
In the 2024–2025 academic school year, a child born in early 2019 turns 5 and enters Kindergarten. A child born in 2020 turns 4 and typically enters Pre-K or preschool.
Q: What is academic redshirting in kindergarten?
Academic redshirting is the practice of postponing a child's kindergarten entrance by one year, giving children with late summer birthdays extra cognitive and emotional maturity before starting formal school.