Kindergarten Cutoff Dates by State 2025-2026: Complete 50-State Guide
Find the official kindergarten entry age requirements for your state. Learn when your child will start school based on their birthday.
Quick Answer: What Age Is Kindergarten?
Most US children start kindergarten at age 5, turning 5 by the state cutoff date, typically September 1st (used by 29 states). Cutoffs range from August 1st (Indiana, Missouri) to January 1st (Connecticut), so kindergarteners are 5 or 6 years old during the school year. Your child must turn 5 by your state's cutoff date to start kindergarten that fall.
Not sure which year your child starts? Our kindergarten age calculator shows the exact start year for any birthday and state.
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Enter your child's birthday and state to see their exact kindergarten year, full K-12 timeline, and graduation date.
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In This Guide
Complete Kindergarten Cutoff Dates by State
The table below shows the kindergarten entry cutoff date for all 50 states plus Washington D.C. Children must turn 5 by this date to start kindergarten in the fall of that year.
2025-2026 Kindergarten Age Requirements
Updated July 2026
| State | Cutoff Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | September 1 | Must turn 5 by September 1 |
| Alaska | August 31 | August 31 or earlier |
| Arizona | September 1 | September 1 of current year |
| Arkansas | September 1 | On or before September 1 |
| California | September 1 | TK available for Sept 2-Dec 2 birthdays |
| Colorado | September 1 | District discretion for earlier dates |
| Connecticut | January 1 | Latest cutoff in the nation |
| Delaware | September 1 | On or before September 1 |
| District of Columbia | October 15 | Must turn 5 by October 15 |
| Florida | September 1 | On or before September 1 |
| Georgia | September 1 | Must turn 5 by September 1 |
| Hawaii | August 15 | On or before August 15 |
| Idaho | September 1 | On or before September 1 |
| Illinois | September 1 | Must turn 5 on or before September 1 |
| Indiana | August 1 | Earliest cutoff in the nation |
| Iowa | September 1 | September 15 effective 2026-2027 |
| Kansas | September 1 | On or before August 31 |
| Kentucky | September 30 | On or before October 1 |
| Louisiana | September 1 | On or before September 1 |
| Maine | September 1 | October 15 (local option) |
| Maryland | October 1 | On or before September 1 |
| Massachusetts | September 1 | Local districts may vary |
| Michigan | September 30 | Must turn 5 by September 1 |
| Minnesota | September 1 | On or before September 1 |
| Mississippi | September 30 | On or before September 1 |
| Missouri | August 1 | Tied for earliest cutoff |
| Montana | September 1 | On or before September 10 |
| Nebraska | September 1 | July 31 for some districts |
| Nevada | August 31 | On or before September 30 |
| New Hampshire | September 1 | Local districts set dates |
| New Jersey | October 1 | District may use earlier date |
| New Mexico | September 1 | August 31 currently |
| New York | December 1 | Local districts may vary |
| North Carolina | September 30 | August 31 required |
| North Dakota | September 1 | On or before August 1 |
| Ohio | September 1 | August 1 for most districts |
| Oklahoma | September 30 | On or before September 1 |
| Oregon | September 1 | On or before September 1 |
| Pennsylvania | October 1 | District determines date (Sept 1 common) |
| Rhode Island | September 30 | On or before September 1 |
| South Carolina | September 30 | On or before September 1 |
| South Dakota | September 1 | On or before September 1 |
| Tennessee | September 10 | August 15 for some districts |
| Texas | September 1 | On or before September 1 |
| Utah | September 1 | On or before September 1 |
| Vermont | September 1 | Locally determined |
| Virginia | September 30 | On or before September 30 |
| Washington | September 1 | August 31 currently |
| West Virginia | September 30 | On or before July 1 |
| Wisconsin | September 1 | On or before September 1 |
| Wyoming | September 15 | On or before September 15 |
Important Note
While states set minimum cutoff dates, individual school districts may have earlier cutoffs. Always verify with your local school district for the exact date used in your area.
Found your state's date? One more thing before the first day: most states also require kids to ride in a booster seat until age 8 or 4 foot 9, so a carpool-ready booster belongs on the kindergarten list right next to the backpack.
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As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. See our full car seat guide for every age and stage.
States Grouped by Cutoff Date
Understanding how states cluster around different cutoff dates helps you see patterns and compare your state to others.
August Cutoffs (Earliest)
August 1
Indiana, Missouri
August 15
Hawaii
August 31
Alaska, Nevada
Children in these states may be nearly 6 when starting kindergarten if born just after the cutoff.
September 1 (Most Common - 29 States)
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin
The national standard. Children with summer birthdays (June-August) will be among the youngest in class.
September/October Cutoffs
September 10
Tennessee
September 15
Wyoming
September 30
Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
October 1
Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
October 15
District of Columbia
December/January Cutoffs (Latest)
December 1
New York
January 1
Connecticut
Children in these states may start kindergarten as young as 4, turning 5 during the school year.
Early Kindergarten Entrance Options
If your child misses the cutoff by a few weeks or months but seems ready for school, some states offer early entrance testing or waivers.
States WITH Early Entrance Options
- Arizona - Testing available
- Colorado - District discretion
- Georgia - Testing required
- Ohio - Early entrance testing
- Texas - Testing for gifted children
- Virginia - Local school boards decide
Contact your district for specific requirements.
States WITHOUT Early Entrance
- California - Strict September 1 cutoff
- Florida - No exceptions
- Illinois - District sets policy
- New York - Generally strict
- Pennsylvania - Varies by district
These states typically require waiting until the next year.
California's Transitional Kindergarten (TK)
California offers Transitional Kindergarten (TK) for children with birthdays between September 2 and December 2. This provides a bridge year before traditional kindergarten, effectively giving these children two years of kindergarten.
Redshirting: Should You Delay Kindergarten?
"Redshirting" means intentionally holding your child back from kindergarten for an extra year, typically for children with summer birthdays who meet the cutoff but might benefit from more time.
Potential Benefits
- More emotional and social maturity
- Better academic readiness
- Potential sports advantages in high school
- More confidence as one of the older students
- Extra year of development for fine motor skills
Potential Drawbacks
- Extra year of childcare/preschool costs
- May be bored if academically advanced
- One less year of adult earning potential
- Could feel "older" than peers later in school
- Research shows benefits may fade by 3rd grade
Consider Redshirting If Your Child:
- Has a summer birthday (June-August)
- Struggles with following multi-step directions
- Has difficulty separating from parents
- Shows less emotional regulation than peers
- Has delayed fine motor skills (writing, cutting)
- Is not yet potty-trained reliably
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is kindergarten?
Kindergarten is for children age 5. Most US children start kindergarten at age 5, turning 5 by their state's cutoff date, typically September 1st. Depending on their birthday and state, kindergarteners are 5 or 6 years old during the school year.
What is the age for kindergarten?
The age for kindergarten in the US is 5 years old. To enroll, a child must turn 5 by the state's cutoff date, September 1st in most states but ranging from August 1st (Indiana, Missouri) to January 1st (Connecticut). Children who miss the cutoff start the following year at age 6. Check your exact date in the 50-state table above or use the kindergarten age calculator.
How old are kindergarteners?
Most kindergarteners are 5 years old when school starts, and many turn 6 during the school year. Because states set a cutoff date (September 1 in most states), the youngest children in a class are just turning 5 and the oldest are almost 6.
What is the kindergarten age range?
The kindergarten age range is 5 to 6 years old. A child who turns 5 just before their state's cutoff starts at the youngest age, while a child who turns 5 just after the cutoff waits a year and starts at 5 years and several months or older.
What age do kids start kindergarten, and when does preschool start?
Kids start kindergarten at age 5, as long as they turn 5 by their state's cutoff date. Preschool usually comes before it, commonly at ages 3 and 4, and pre-K for 4-year-olds is available in many districts. Check your state's date in the table above.
What if we move to a state with a different cutoff?
If you move mid-year, your child typically continues at their current grade level. If moving before school starts, contact the new district to understand their enrollment policies. Some districts will honor the previous state's placement.
Is kindergarten mandatory?
In most states, kindergarten is not mandatory - compulsory education typically begins at age 6 or 7. However, skipping kindergarten is strongly discouraged by education experts. If your child doesn't attend kindergarten, they'll start 1st grade without foundational skills their classmates have.
What documents do I need for kindergarten registration?
Typically required: birth certificate (proof of age), proof of residence (utility bill, lease), immunization records, and completed registration forms. Some states require a physical exam within the past year. Contact your school district for specific requirements.
When should I register for kindergarten?
Most districts open kindergarten registration in February-April for the following fall. Some popular schools and districts fill up quickly. Contact your district by January to learn registration dates and requirements.
What age will my child graduate high school?
Children who start kindergarten at age 5 typically graduate high school at 17-18 years old. Those who start at age 6 (due to redshirting or later birthdays) graduate at 18-19. Use our school start date calculator to see your child's complete K-12 timeline.
Calculate Your Child's School Timeline
Enter your child's birthday and state to instantly see their kindergarten start year, grade-by-grade timeline, and high school graduation date.
Try Free School Start CalculatorNo signup required - See results instantly
Once you know the start year, work through our kindergarten back-to-school checklist so nothing sells out before day one.
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Glen Meade
Founder of ParentCalc
Glen is a parent and creator of ParentCalc. He researches education policies and creates tools to help families navigate important decisions about their children's schooling.
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