State guide · Louisiana · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in Louisiana?
Children must turn 5 on or before September 30.
Calculate for your child
The Louisiana rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 30 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | Set statewide |
| Legal basis | La. Rev. Stat. § 17:151.3 |
| School required from | Age 5 to age 18 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | Yes — attendance is required |
How Louisiana compares
1 state and DC use the same September 30 cutoff: District of Columbia and Virginia. 39 have an earlier cutoff and 3 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, Louisiana among them. That is as early as anywhere in the country requires it.
Louisiana is one of 17 states and DC that require kindergarten attendance outright; in most of the country it is optional.
School districts in Louisiana
See the 69 school districts in Louisiana, county by county, with enrollment and each district's website.
Starting early in Louisiana
A younger child who has been evaluated and identified as gifted may be admitted.
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.