State guide · South Carolina · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in South Carolina?
Children must turn 5 on or before September 1.
Calculate for your child
The South Carolina rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 1 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | Set statewide |
| Legal basis | S.C. Code § 59-63-20 |
| School required from | Age 5 to age 17 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | Yes — attendance is required |
How South Carolina compares
20 states use the same September 1 cutoff: Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, 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.
11 states and DC require school attendance to begin at age 5, South Carolina among them. That is as early as anywhere in the country requires it.
South Carolina is one of 17 states and DC that require kindergarten attendance outright; in most of the country it is optional.
School districts in South Carolina
See the 75 school districts in South Carolina, county by county, with enrollment and each district's website.
Starting early in South Carolina
A child who began public kindergarten in another state under a different age rule may enroll.
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.