State guide · Utah · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in Utah?
Children must turn 5 on or before September 1.
Calculate for your child
The Utah rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 1 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | Set statewide |
| Legal basis | Utah Code § 53G-4-402 |
| School required from | Age 6 to age 18 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | No — kindergarten is optional |
How Utah compares
20 states use the same September 1 cutoff: Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin. 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.
28 states require school attendance to begin at age 6, Utah among them. 11 states and DC start compulsory schooling earlier.
Like most of the country, Utah does not mandate kindergarten — only 17 states and DC do.
Starting early in Utah
A transferring student should be allowed to continue in the grade they transferred from.
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.