State guide · New Jersey · 2025–26
What grade is my kid in New Jersey?
New Jersey leaves the kindergarten cutoff to local school districts — there's no single statewide answer.
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Frequently asked
What's the New Jersey kindergarten cutoff?
New Jersey doesn't set a single statewide cutoff. The state guideline is varies, but individual school districts make the final call.
Can a child start kindergarten in New Jersey a year early?
Most districts allow early entry only by formal assessment. Talk to your local school office before the spring enrollment window.
What is "redshirting" and is it common in New Jersey?
Redshirting is intentionally delaying kindergarten by a year, usually for summer-birthday boys. It's most common in states with summer or early-fall cutoffs.
Grade by age in New Jersey — 2025–26
| 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
NJ Dept. of Education — verify cutoff with your local school district before relying on this page for enrollment.
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