What Grade Is My Kid2026–27

State guide · New Jersey · 2026–27

What grade is my kid in New Jersey?

A child who is 5 by October 1 has a statutory right to enroll where kindergarten is offered. Districts may adopt policies admitting younger children, so the practical date can be earlier.

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Most US states use a September 1 cutoff. Year-stamped for the 2026–27 school year.

The New Jersey rule in detail

Kindergarten cutoffTurn 5 by October 1
Who sets itState minimum, districts may go earlier
Legal basisN.J. Stat. § 18A:38-5; N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:11-4.7
School required fromAge 6 to age 16
Kindergarten mandatory?No — kindergarten is optional

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey is the only place in the country using an October 1 kindergarten cutoff. 42 have an earlier cutoff and 2 have a later one, so a child born the same day can land a full grade apart depending on where they live.

28 states require school attendance to begin at age 6, New Jersey among them. 11 states and DC start compulsory schooling earlier.

Like most of the country, New Jersey does not mandate kindergarten — only 17 states and DC do.

Starting early in New Jersey

A board may admit a younger child who meets entrance requirements it establishes; NJDOE recommends districts hold to October 1 and apply any early-admission policy uniformly.

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 New Jersey kindergarten cutoff?
A child who is 5 by October 1 has a statutory right to enroll where kindergarten is offered. Districts may adopt policies admitting younger children, so the practical date can be earlier.
Who sets the kindergarten cutoff in New Jersey?
New Jersey sets a statewide minimum; districts may adopt a policy admitting younger children, but cannot require an older age. The rule lives in N.J. Stat. § 18A:38-5; N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:11-4.7.
Can a child start kindergarten early in New Jersey?
A board may admit a younger child who meets entrance requirements it establishes; NJDOE recommends districts hold to October 1 and apply any early-admission policy uniformly.
At what age is school required in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, school attendance is compulsory from age 6 to age 16. New Jersey does not require kindergarten attendance; compulsory schooling starts at age 6.

Grade by age in New Jersey — 2026–27

Grade by age in New Jersey — 2026–27
AgeTypical gradeNotes
4Not in school yetStarts K in fall of the following school year.
5Kindergarten
61st grade
72nd grade
83rd grade
94th grade
105th grade
116th grade
127th grade
138th grade
149th grade
1510th grade
1611th grade
1712th grade

Source

Legal basis: N.J. Stat. § 18A:38-5; N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:11-4.7. 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).
NJ Dept. of Education — verify cutoff with your local school district before relying on this page for enrollment.
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