What grade is a 5 year old in?

Age 5 · 2026–27

Pre-K (4s) or kindergarten

A 5-year-old is usually in pre-K or kindergarten. Which one depends on their birthday and your state's kindergarten cutoff (September 1 in most states).

For 2026–27: kindergarten if born Sep 2, 2020 – Sep 1, 2021.

Pre-K if born Sep 2, 2021 – Sep 1, 2022.

Grade by age is a guide, not a rule. Some families wait a year to start kindergarten (often called redshirting), some schools allow early entry, and homeschoolers can place a child by readiness in each subject.

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Age by grade for 2026–27 (September 1 cutoff)
Grade	Typical age	Birthdates
Preschool (3s)	3–4	Sep 2, 2022 – Sep 1, 2023
Pre-K (4s)	4–5	Sep 2, 2021 – Sep 1, 2022
Kindergarten	5–6	Sep 2, 2020 – Sep 1, 2021
1st grade	6–7	Sep 2, 2019 – Sep 1, 2020
2nd grade	7–8	Sep 2, 2018 – Sep 1, 2019
3rd grade	8–9	Sep 2, 2017 – Sep 1, 2018
4th grade	9–10	Sep 2, 2016 – Sep 1, 2017
5th grade	10–11	Sep 2, 2015 – Sep 1, 2016
6th grade	11–12	Sep 2, 2014 – Sep 1, 2015
7th grade	12–13	Sep 2, 2013 – Sep 1, 2014
8th grade	13–14	Sep 2, 2012 – Sep 1, 2013
9th grade	14–15	Sep 2, 2011 – Sep 1, 2012
10th grade	15–16	Sep 2, 2010 – Sep 1, 2011
11th grade	16–17	Sep 2, 2009 – Sep 1, 2010
12th grade	17–18	Sep 2, 2008 – Sep 1, 2009

Cutoff source: NCES State Education Reforms, Table 1.3: kindergarten entrance requirements by state. Checked October 2026.

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A 5-year-old is usually in kindergarten. A child who turned 5 after their state's cutoff is usually still in pre-K for that school year.

Most states require a child to turn 5 on or before September 1 to start kindergarten, so for 2026–27 kindergarteners in those states were born between September 2, 2020, and September 1, 2021. Cutoffs range from before July 1 in West Virginia to December 1 in many New York districts, so a 5-year-old with a summer or fall birthday can land in a different grade depending on the state. Some families choose to wait a year for a child with a late birthday, which is often called redshirting.

Use the calculator above for an exact answer: enter your child's birthdate and choose your state, and it applies that state's kindergarten cutoff to the 2026–27 school year. Grade by age is a guide, not a rule. Homeschool families can place a child by readiness, even at different levels in different subjects.

Tips for using it

Check the exact cutoff for your state with the calculator: a birthday a single day after the cutoff means another year of pre-K.
Kindergarten readiness is more about attention, independence and language than knowing letters already.

Variations

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Questions

Should my 5-year-old start kindergarten or wait?

If your child meets the cutoff, most children do well starting on time. Families sometimes wait a year for a child with a birthday close to the cutoff who seems young socially or emotionally. Talk with your pediatrician or preschool teacher if you're unsure.

Is kindergarten required?

Not in every state. Some states require kindergarten, and others start compulsory attendance at 6 or later. Homeschool families follow their state's homeschool law for the compulsory age.