State guide · New Mexico · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in New Mexico?
Children must turn 5 before September 1.
Calculate for your child
The New Mexico rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 1 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | Set statewide |
| Legal basis | N.M. Stat. § 22-1-2; N.M. Admin. Code 6.30.5.9 |
| School required from | Age 5 to age 18 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | Yes — attendance is required |
How New Mexico compares
20 states use the same September 1 cutoff. 16 have an earlier cutoff and 8 have a later one, so a child born the same day can land a full grade apart depending on where they live.
11 states and DC require school attendance to begin at age 5, New Mexico among them. That is as early as anywhere in the country requires it.
New Mexico is one of 17 states and DC that require kindergarten attendance outright; in most of the country it is optional.
Starting early in New Mexico
New Mexico law does not identify a general early-entrance waiver.
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 Mexico kindergarten cutoff?
Children must turn 5 before September 1.
Who sets the kindergarten cutoff in New Mexico?
New Mexico sets one entrance date statewide, so it's the same in every district. The rule lives in N.M. Stat. § 22-1-2; N.M. Admin. Code 6.30.5.9.
Can a child start kindergarten early in New Mexico?
New Mexico law does not identify a general early-entrance waiver.
At what age is school required in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, school attendance is compulsory from age 5 to age 18. New Mexico is one of the states that require kindergarten attendance itself — not just that it be offered.
Grade by age in New Mexico — 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: N.M. Stat. § 22-1-2; N.M. Admin. Code 6.30.5.9. 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).
New Mexico Public Education Dept. — verify cutoff with your local school district before relying on this page for enrollment.
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