State guide · Missouri · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in Missouri?
Children must turn 5 before August 1.
Calculate for your child
The Missouri rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by August 1 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | Set statewide |
| Legal basis | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 160.054 |
| School required from | Age 7 to age 17 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | No — kindergarten is optional |
How Missouri compares
5 states use the same August 1 cutoff. 4 have an earlier cutoff and 35 have a later one, so a child born the same day can land a full grade apart depending on where they live.
10 states require school attendance to begin at age 7, Missouri among them. 39 states and DC start compulsory schooling earlier.
Like most of the country, Missouri does not mandate kindergarten — only 17 states and DC do.
Starting early in Missouri
A child who began kindergarten in a metropolitan district may enroll in a new district without meeting the age requirement.
Early entrance is decided locally even where state law allows it, so ask your district office what evidence they expect and when the window closes.
Frequently asked
What's the Missouri kindergarten cutoff?
Children must turn 5 before August 1.
Who sets the kindergarten cutoff in Missouri?
Missouri sets one entrance date statewide, so it's the same in every district. The rule lives in Mo. Rev. Stat. § 160.054.
Can a child start kindergarten early in Missouri?
A child who began kindergarten in a metropolitan district may enroll in a new district without meeting the age requirement.
At what age is school required in Missouri?
In Missouri, school attendance is compulsory from age 7 to age 17. Missouri does not require kindergarten attendance; compulsory schooling starts at age 7.
Grade by age in Missouri — 2026–27
| Age | Typical grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Not in school yet | Starts K in fall of the following school year. |
| 5 | Kindergarten | |
| 6 | 1st grade | |
| 7 | 2nd grade | |
| 8 | 3rd grade | |
| 9 | 4th grade | |
| 10 | 5th grade | |
| 11 | 6th grade | |
| 12 | 7th grade | |
| 13 | 8th grade | |
| 14 | 9th grade | |
| 15 | 10th grade | |
| 16 | 11th grade | |
| 17 | 12th grade |
Source
Legal basis: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 160.054. Cutoff, early-entrance and compulsory-age details cross-checked against the Education Commission of the States 50-State Comparisons (K-3 policies and compulsory school age).
Missouri DESE — verify cutoff with your local school district before relying on this page for enrollment.
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