🎒Child School Entry Date Calculator

Enter your child's birthdate to find their expected kindergarten start year and days until enrollment.

How to Use the Child School Entry Date Calculator

Wondering when your child will start kindergarten? Enter their birthdate and this tool will show their expected school entry year and count down the days to the first day of school.

US School Entry Standard

Most US states require children to turn 5 before September 1 to enroll in kindergarten that fall. Children born before September 1 start school in September of their fifth birthday year. Children born September 1 or later typically start the following year.

State Variations

A handful of states use different cutoff dates (e.g., October 1 or December 1). This calculator uses September 1 as the national standard. Check with your local school district for the exact cutoff in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

My child turns 5 in October — when do they start?

With a September 1 cutoff, a child born in October would miss the cutoff and start kindergarten the following September, at age 5 turning 6.

Can I enroll my child early?

Some states allow early entry with testing or a waiver. Contact your local district to find out if early enrollment is available.