State guide · Delaware · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in Delaware?
Children must turn 5 on or before August 31.
Calculate for your child
The Delaware rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by August 31 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | Set statewide |
| Legal basis | Del. Code tit. 14, § 2702 |
| School required from | Age 5 to age 16 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | Yes — attendance is required |
How Delaware compares
4 states use the same August 31 cutoff: Arizona, 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.
11 states and DC require school attendance to begin at age 5, Delaware among them. That is as early as anywhere in the country requires it.
Delaware is one of 17 states and DC that require kindergarten attendance outright; in most of the country it is optional.
School districts in Delaware
See the 19 school districts in Delaware, county by county, with enrollment and each district's website.
Starting early in Delaware
A parent may request delayed enrollment; a readiness evaluation is available, as is a half-day option.
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.