State guide · Florida · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in Florida?
Children must turn 5 on or before September 1.
Calculate for your child
The Florida rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 1 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | Set statewide |
| Legal basis | Fla. Stat. § 1003.21 |
| School required from | Age 6 to age 16 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | No — kindergarten is optional |
How Florida compares
20 states use the same September 1 cutoff: Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, 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, Florida among them. 11 states and DC start compulsory schooling earlier.
Like most of the country, Florida does not mandate kindergarten — only 17 states and DC do.
School districts in Florida
See the 67 school districts in Florida, county by county, with enrollment and each district's website.
Starting early in Florida
Florida statute does not provide a general early-entrance exemption; the September 1 date is firm.
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.