State guide · North Carolina · 2025–26
What grade is my kid in North Carolina?
North Carolina uses a August 31 cutoff for kindergarten.
Calculate for your child
Frequently asked
What's the North Carolina kindergarten cutoff?
Children must turn 5 by August 31.
Can a child start kindergarten in North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
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 North Carolina — 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
NC Dept. of Public Instruction — verify cutoff with your local school district before relying on this page for enrollment.
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