State guide · California · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in California?
Children must turn 5 on or before September 1. California also offers transitional kindergarten (TK) for younger 4-year-olds — see the TK breakdown below.
Calculate for your child
California's kindergarten cutoff explained
California requires children to turn 5 by September 1 to start kindergarten. Children who turn 4 by September 1 are eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK), a state-funded grade level that sits between preschool and kindergarten. TK expanded year-by-year between 2022 and 2025 under narrower birthdate windows; 2025–26 was the first fully universal year, and 2026–27 continues universal eligibility for every 4-year-old.
See the full California TK breakdown →
The California rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 1 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | Set statewide |
| Legal basis | Cal. Educ. Code § 48000 |
| School required from | Age 6 to age 18 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | No — kindergarten is optional |
How California compares
20 states use the same September 1 cutoff: Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah 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, California among them. 11 states and DC start compulsory schooling earlier.
Like most of the country, California does not mandate kindergarten — only 17 states and DC do.
School districts in California
See the 987 school districts in California, county by county, with enrollment and each district's website. County directories: Alameda County · Butte County · Contra Costa County · El Dorado County · Fresno County · Humboldt County · Imperial County · Kern County · Kings County · Los Angeles County · Marin County · Mendocino County · Merced County · Monterey County · Nevada County · Orange County · Placer County · Riverside County · Sacramento County · San Benito County · San Bernardino County · San Diego County · San Joaquin County · San Luis Obispo County · San Mateo County · Santa Barbara County · Santa Clara County · Santa Cruz County · Shasta County · Siskiyou County · Sonoma County · Stanislaus County · Sutter County · Tehama County · Tulare County · Ventura County.
Starting early in California
A child who turns 5 during the school year may be admitted with the parent’s approval if the district finds it 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.