State guide · Arizona · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in Arizona?
Children must turn 5 before September 1 — in practice, on or before August 31.
Calculate for your child
The Arizona rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by August 31 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | Set statewide |
| Legal basis | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-821 |
| School required from | Age 6 to age 16 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | No — kindergarten is optional |
How Arizona compares
4 states use the same August 31 cutoff: Delaware, Kansas, North Carolina and Washington. 11 have an earlier cutoff and 29 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, Arizona among them. 11 states and DC start compulsory schooling earlier.
Like most of the country, Arizona does not mandate kindergarten — only 17 states and DC do.
School districts in Arizona
See the 223 school districts in Arizona, county by county, with enrollment and each district's website. County directories: Apache County · Cochise County · Maricopa County · Mohave County · Navajo County · Pima County · Pinal County · Yavapai County.
Starting early in Arizona
A governing board may admit a child who has not reached the required age when it finds admission in the child’s best interest.
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.