State guide · New Jersey · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in New Jersey?
A child who is 5 by October 1 has a statutory right to enroll where kindergarten is offered. Districts may adopt policies admitting younger children, so the practical date can be earlier.
Calculate for your child
The New Jersey rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by October 1 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | State minimum, districts may go earlier |
| Legal basis | N.J. Stat. § 18A:38-5; N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:11-4.7 |
| School required from | Age 6 to age 16 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | No — kindergarten is optional |
How New Jersey compares
New Jersey is the only place in the country using an October 1 kindergarten cutoff. 42 have an earlier cutoff and 2 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, New Jersey among them. 11 states and DC start compulsory schooling earlier.
Like most of the country, New Jersey does not mandate kindergarten — only 17 states and DC do.
School districts in New Jersey
See the 559 school districts in New Jersey, county by county, with enrollment and each district's website. County directories: Atlantic County · Bergen County · Burlington County · Camden County · Cape May County · Cumberland County · Essex County · Gloucester County · Hudson County · Hunterdon County · Mercer County · Middlesex County · Monmouth County · Morris County · Ocean County · Passaic County · Salem County · Somerset County · Sussex County · Union County · Warren County.
Starting early in New Jersey
A board may admit a younger child who meets entrance requirements it establishes; NJDOE recommends districts hold to October 1 and apply any early-admission policy uniformly.
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.