What Grade Is My Kid2026–27

State guide · Ohio · 2026–27

What grade is my kid in Ohio?

Ohio changed its rule for 2026–27: a child must turn 5 on or before their district’s first day of instruction. Districts no longer pick between August 1 and September 30.

Recently changed. This cutoff took effect for the 2026–27 school year. If you are going from an older chart or a sibling's experience, check the date again — Ohio is not where it used to be.

Calculate for your child

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

The Ohio rule in detail

Kindergarten cutoffVaries by district (since 2026–27)
Who sets itSet by each school district
Legal basisOhio Rev. Code § 3321.01, as amended by H.B. 114 (signed December 19, 2025)
School required fromAge 6 to age 18
Kindergarten mandatory?Yes — attendance is required

How Ohio compares

Ohio is one of 6 states that leave the kindergarten entrance date to local districts rather than fixing one date statewide.

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

Ohio is one of 17 states and DC that require kindergarten attendance outright; in most of the country it is optional.

Starting early in Ohio

A child who turns 5 before January 1 may be considered for early admission after an evaluation under district policy.

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 Ohio kindergarten cutoff?
Ohio changed its rule for 2026–27: a child must turn 5 on or before their district’s first day of instruction. Districts no longer pick between August 1 and September 30.
Who sets the kindergarten cutoff in Ohio?
Ohio leaves the entrance date to local school districts, so it can differ between two neighbouring towns. The rule lives in Ohio Rev. Code § 3321.01, as amended by H.B. 114 (signed December 19, 2025).
Can a child start kindergarten early in Ohio?
A child who turns 5 before January 1 may be considered for early admission after an evaluation under district policy.
At what age is school required in Ohio?
In Ohio, school attendance is compulsory from age 6 to age 18. Ohio is one of the states that require kindergarten attendance itself — not just that it be offered.

Grade by age in Ohio — 2026–27

Grade by age in Ohio — 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: Ohio Rev. Code § 3321.01, as amended by H.B. 114 (signed December 19, 2025). 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).
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce — verify cutoff with your local school district before relying on this page for enrollment.
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