How to use the what grade should my child be in
- Enter your child's birth date. It is not stored and is left out of share links.
- Set Check the school year that includes to the date you are interested in. It starts on today.
- Enter the month the school year starts and the school's age cutoff month and day. The starting values are examples, so replace them with your school or district's rules.
- Read the expected grade, the age on the cutoff date and the grades before and after.
Formula
Age on the cutoff date = full years from the birth date to the cutoff date of the school year
Kindergarten = age 5 on the cutoff date
Grade after kindergarten = age - 5 (age 6 is 1st grade, age 17 is 12th grade)
The cutoff date is placed in the year the school year starts, or in the next calendar year if its month comes before the start month.
Worked examples
A child born March 10, 2020, checked on October 15, 2026 with an August start and a September 1 cutoff, is in the 2026 to 2027 school year. On September 1, 2026 the child is 6, so the expected grade is 1st grade, with Kindergarten the year before and 2nd grade the year after.
The cutoff day itself counts. A child who turns 5 exactly on September 1, 2021 is 5 on the cutoff in 2026 and expected to be in Kindergarten, while a child born one day later, September 2, 2021, is still 4 on that date and is shown as Pre-K (age 4). With a January 31 cutoff the date falls in 2027, so a child born January 31, 2022 is in Kindergarten for the 2026 to 2027 school year.
Why the answer depends on your school
In the United States there is no single rule for when a child starts school. States and districts set their own cutoff dates, and some schools allow early entry, delayed entry, testing or a waiver. A child with a birthday near the cutoff may be placed in either of two grades, and families sometimes choose to wait a year.
This tool applies the cutoff you enter and the simple ladder of Kindergarten at age 5 and one grade per year after that. Preschool and Pre-K are shown for ages 3 and 4. Placement also depends on a child's skills, special education plans and school policy. Treat the result as a starting point and confirm with the school.
Reading the result
The grade the year before and the year after help if you are thinking about holding a child back or moving them up. They use the same cutoff and show what the neighboring school years would be.
No data leaves your browser. For other age and school tools, see the age calculator, the GPA calculator and the attendance percentage calculator.
Assumptions and limits
- The start month and cutoff date are examples that you change. They are not a standard rule.
- Kindergarten is age 5 on the cutoff date and each later grade is one year older.
- Early entry, delayed entry, waivers, testing and special education placement are not modeled.
- The cutoff date is applied to the school year that includes the check date.
Frequently asked questions
What grade should my child be in?
It depends on your district cutoff date. Enter the cutoff and the tool finds your child's age on that date and the matching grade. Confirm with the school, since entry rules and exceptions vary.
What if my child's birthday is right on the cutoff?
A child who turns the entry age on the cutoff date counts as that age. The tool uses full years on the cutoff date, so a birthday on the cutoff day is included and a birthday the next day is not.
Can I use a cutoff early in the year, such as January 31?
Yes. If the cutoff month comes before the month the school year starts, the tool places it in the following calendar year, which is how a January or December cutoff normally works.
Does the tool decide school placement?
No. It only calculates a grade from an age and a date. Schools consider other things, and some families and schools agree on a different placement.