What Grade Is My Child In? Age to Grade Calculator by State

Kindergarten cutoff dates by state (2026-27)

To start kindergarten, a child has to be 5 years old on or before the date below. Some states changed their date in the last few years, and the calculator uses the old date for children who started school before the change.

Most states use September 1. The earliest date is June 30 in West Virginia and the latest is December 1 in New York. Several states have moved their date since 2017. Kentucky went from October 1 to August 1, West Virginia from September 1 to June 30, Wyoming from September 15 to August 1, Nevada from September 30 to August 1 and Connecticut from January 1 to September 1. Ohio now uses the first day of school.

Grade by age chart

This is the usual age range for each grade in a state with a September 1 cutoff. A child is at the low end of the range when school starts and moves to the high end during the year.

In states with an earlier date, like West Virginia or Hawaii, children tend to be a little older for their grade. In New York, Connecticut before 2024 and other late-date states, some children start kindergarten at 4 and turn 5 in the fall.

Common questions

What grade is a 10 year old in?

Usually 4th or 5th grade. A child who is already 10 when school starts in late summer is normally in 5th grade. A child who turns 10 during the school year is normally in 4th grade.

What grade is a 12 year old in?

Usually 6th or 7th grade. If the child is 12 by your state's cutoff date, it is 7th grade; if the 12th birthday comes later in the school year, it is 6th grade.

What grade is a 9 year old in?

Usually 3rd or 4th grade. Children who are 9 at the start of the school year are mostly in 4th grade, and those who turn 9 during the year are in 3rd grade.

What grade is a 15 year old in?

Usually 9th or 10th grade, so a freshman or a sophomore in high school.

What grade is a 16 year old in?

Usually 10th or 11th grade, so a sophomore or a junior.

What is the kindergarten cutoff date?

Each state sets its own. September 1 is the most common, but it ranges from June 30 in West Virginia to December 1 in New York. A few states, like Colorado, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, let each district pick its own date. Every state has its own row in the table on this page.

Can my child start kindergarten early?

In some states, yes. Michigan lets a child who turns 5 by December 1 start if a parent gives written notice, and states such as Maryland, North Carolina, Nebraska and Wyoming allow early entry after a readiness check. Others, like Nevada and DC, do not allow it at all.

Need the length of the school year too? See school days by state. For a child's exact age in years, months and days, use the chronological age calculator.