State guide · Mississippi · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in Mississippi?
Children must turn 5 on or before September 1.
Calculate for your child
The Mississippi rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 1 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | Set statewide |
| Legal basis | Miss. Code § 37-15-9 |
| School required from | Age 6 to age 17 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | No — kindergarten is optional |
How Mississippi compares
20 states use the same September 1 cutoff: Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, 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, Mississippi among them. 11 states and DC start compulsory schooling earlier.
Like most of the country, Mississippi does not mandate kindergarten — only 17 states and DC do.
School districts in Mississippi
See the 138 school districts in Mississippi, county by county, with enrollment and each district's website.
Starting early in Mississippi
A child from another state who attended at least four weeks of kindergarten may enroll if progress is satisfactory.
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.