State guide · Montana · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in Montana?
Children must turn 5 on or before September 10.
Calculate for your child
The Montana rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 10 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | Set statewide |
| Legal basis | Mont. Code § 20-7-117 |
| School required from | Age 7 to age 16 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | No — kindergarten is optional |
How Montana compares
Montana is the only place in the country using a September 10 kindergarten cutoff. 37 have an earlier cutoff and 7 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, Montana among them. 39 states and DC start compulsory schooling earlier.
Like most of the country, Montana does not mandate kindergarten — only 17 states and DC do.
Starting early in Montana
The board of trustees may give special permission to enroll early.
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 Montana kindergarten cutoff?
Children must turn 5 on or before September 10.
Who sets the kindergarten cutoff in Montana?
Montana sets one entrance date statewide, so it's the same in every district. The rule lives in Mont. Code § 20-7-117.
Can a child start kindergarten early in Montana?
The board of trustees may give special permission to enroll early.
At what age is school required in Montana?
In Montana, school attendance is compulsory from age 7 to age 16. Montana does not require kindergarten attendance; compulsory schooling starts at age 7.
Grade by age in Montana — 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: Mont. Code § 20-7-117. 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).
Montana Office of Public Instruction — verify cutoff with your local school district before relying on this page for enrollment.
Spot something off about Montana? Email [email protected] and we'll fix it.