School Age and Grade Levels in the United States
The education system in the United States formally starts with elementary school where the first year is known as Kindergarten, followed by 1st Grade through to 6th Grade.
Elementary school is followed by High School which runs from 7th Grade to 12th Grade and is sometimes split into a Middle School from 6th Grade to 8th Grade followed by High School.
Most children commence kindergarten at the age of 5 or 6 years old, subject to local State requirements.
The school year starts in September and runs to end of June the following year, generally with 3 semesters or terms per year.
Pre School
Pre-school in the US, also known as pre-kindergarten or pre-k usually runs for 1-2 years when the child is 3 and 4 years old. Pre-kindergarten in the US is not part of the government education system and is not mandatory. Pre-school programs are administered by private companies, community groups or childcare providers.
Elementary School
While the requirements are different in each state most children commence elementary or primary school (sometimes called Grade or Grammar school) at 5 or 6 years old.
The first grade of elementary is called kindergarten, and while not compulsory in many states almost all children do go to Kindergarten. Kindergarten can be either a full day or part day program depending on the state or territory you are in.
Elementary is almost always co-educational with mixed boys and girls in the same class in the public schooling system.
In at least 40 states and districts, schools are required to offer a kindergarten program, however less than half of these are required to be a full day, with the majority only required to offer a part time kindergarten program. Of these, just 18 states actually make kindergarten attendance mandatory.
School Ages and Grade Levels
The table below outlines the child age for each school grade in the US.
At the start of Elementary school, students are 5 or 6 years old in Kindergarten. In 1st Grade students are 6 or 7 years old. And at the end of Elementary School in 5th Grade, students are 10 or 11 years old.
At the start of Middle School, students in 6th grade are 11 or 12 years old. Students start High School in 9th Grade in Freshman year at 13 or 14 years old.
How Old Are You in Each School Grade?
| School Stage | Grade Level | Student Age |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool | Pre-kindergarten | 4 - 5 years old |
| Elementary | Kindergarten | 5 - 6 years old |
| Elementary | 1st Grade | 6 - 7 years old |
| Elementary | 2nd Grade | 7 - 8 years old |
| Elementary | 3rd Grade | 8 - 9 years old |
| Elementary | 4th Grade | 9 - 10 years old |
| Elementary | 5th Grade | 10 - 11 years old |
| Middle School | 6th Grade | 11 - 12 years old |
| Middle School | 7th Grade | 12 - 13 years old |
| Middle School | 8th Grade | 13 - 14 years old |
| High School | 9th Grade (Freshman) | 14 - 15 years old |
| High School | 10th Grade (Sophom*ore) | 15 - 16 years old |
| High School | 11th Grade (Junior) | 16 - 17 years old |
| High School | 12th Grade (Senior) | 17 - 18 years old |
High School Graduation
Students in the USA will usually commence their final year, 12th Grade / Senior Year, at the age of 17 or 18 years old. At the end of the school yea most students are 18 years of age. Use the tool above to calculate what year will your child graduate high school.
Kindergarten Age by State USA
California
Children in California can commence kindergarten if the child has turned 5 years old by the 1st of September in that year. Kindergarten is not mandatory in California however nearly all students will attend.
California also has Transitional Kindergarten which is a free public school program for 4-year-olds who turn 5 between 2nd of September and 2nd of December. It is an extra school grade that is designed to assist younger children and be a bridge between preschool and kindergarten.
Texas
Kindergarten in Texas commences if the child has turned 5 years old by the 1st of September. Kindergarten is not mandatory by law, however children must be enrolled in a school by the time they are 6 years old. Use the School Age Calculator Texas to determine starting year in kindergarten in Texas.
Florida
Kindergarten in Florida commences if the child has turned 5 years old by the 1st of September. Schools are required by law to offer at least a half day kindergarten program, however it is not mandatory for children to attend.
Children who are 6 or who will turn 6 by 1st Feb must be enrolled in school in that year. Use the school age calculator Florida to determine starting the year for kindergarten based on child’s age.
New York
New York does not have a standard state-wide cut-off age to attend school and entry requirements are set by local school boards. The most common age requirement set by schools is that children are 5 years old before the 1st of December to attend kindergarten in that September that year, however the 1st of August is also commonplace.
Kindergarten attendance is not mandatory in New York however children must be enrolled in school by the age of 6 years old. Use the school age calculator New York above to determine year of entry into school.
Pennsylvania
The minimum age at which a child can attend kindergarten in Pennsylvania is if the child has turned 4 years and 7 month old by the first day of school, commonly on the 1st of September each year.
Pennsylvania has recently changed its mandatory school age from 8 years old to 6, whereby any child who turn 6 years old before 1st of September must be enrolled in school that year.
Illinois
Kindergarten in Illinois commences if the child has turned 5 years old by the 1st of September. Kindergarten is not mandatory however children must be enrolled in school in a given year if they will turn 6 years old before the 1st of September. Use the calculator to determine school year based on date of birth for Illinois.
Ohio
Ohio does not have a standard state wide cut off age for entry into kindergarten and entry requirements are set by district school boards. Most commonly schools adopt one of two dates, if child is 5 years old by 1st of August or 30th September they will attend in that year. Contact your local school to confirm the cut off age.
It is mandatory for children to attend kindergarten in Ohio. Use the school age calculator Ohio to determine the year of entry.
Georgia
Kindergarten in Georgia commences if the child has turned 5 years old by the 1st of August. Attendance at kindergarten is not mandatory by law however children must be enrolled in school in the year they turn 6 years old.
North Carolina
Kindergarten in North Carolina commences if the child has turned 5 years old by the 31st of August. Attendance at kindergarten is not mandatory by law however children must be enrolled in school in the year they turn 7 years old.
Michigan
Kindergarten in Michigan commences if the child has turned 5 years old by the 1st of September. Attendance at kindergarten is not mandatory by law however children must be enrolled in school if they turn 6 years old by the 1st of December in a given year.
The table below outlines the kindergarten age requirements for all states and territories in the United States.
States with Non-Standard Age Cut-Off
The following states do not have a state-wide cut-off age for entry into kindergarten. The age requirement is set by the Local Education Agency (LEA) or school board. The most common age for kindergarten entry in these states:
- Massachussetts:Commonly 5 years old by 31st Aug
- New Hampshire:Commonly 5 years old by 1st Sep
- New Jersey:LEA sets cut-off date, must be after after 1st Oct
- New York:Commonly 5 years old by 1st Dec
- Ohio:Either 1 Aug or 31 Sep subject to District
- Pennsylvania:Child must be 4 years 7 mths by starts of school on 1st Sep.
- Vermont:Commonly 5 years old by 31st Aug or 1st Jan
For the purposes of determining a school entry date, the ealiest of the above dates have been used. Please treat this as a guide only and confirm with your local school or education agency for exact entry requirements.
