School Age Calculator
Most US states require children to be 5 by a cutoff date (often September 1) to start kindergarten. Enter your child's birth date and your cutoff to see their start year, current grade and expected graduation year.
- Starts kindergarten in fall
- 2027
- Typical grade in 2026–27
- Pre-K age
- Expected high school graduation
- 2040
- Current age
- 5 years, 0 months, 5 days
Cutoffs are set by each state or district; check yours. Some allow early entry testing.
Worked example
Example: born October 12, 2021, with a September 1 cutoff
- Turns 5 on October 12, 2026
- That's after the September 1, 2026 cutoff
- So kindergarten starts in fall 2027
Starts kindergarten in 2027 and graduates around 2040.
Formula
Start year = year of 5th birthday if the birthday is on/before the cutoff, otherwise the next year
Grade = school year start − kindergarten start year (Kindergarten = 0).
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common kindergarten cutoff?
September 1, used by many states. Others use dates from August 1 to as late as December or January 1.
Can my child start early?
Some districts allow early entry after testing. Contact your district.
What is “redshirting”?
Delaying kindergarten a year, often for children with summer birthdays near the cutoff.
Last reviewed October 17, 2026 · Calculations run in your browser; nothing you enter is sent to a server.