State guide · Washington · 2026–27
What grade is my kid in Washington?
Children must turn 5 on or before August 31.
Calculate for your child
The Washington rule in detail
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by August 31 |
|---|---|
| Who sets it | Set statewide |
| Legal basis | Wash. Admin. Code 392-335-010 |
| School required from | Age 8 to age 18 |
| Kindergarten mandatory? | No — kindergarten is optional |
How Washington compares
4 states use the same August 31 cutoff: Arizona, Delaware, Kansas and North Carolina. 11 have an earlier cutoff and 29 have a later one, so a child born the same day can land a full grade apart depending on where they live.
1 state require school attendance to begin at age 8, Washington among them. 49 states and DC start compulsory schooling earlier.
Like most of the country, Washington does not mandate kindergarten — only 17 states and DC do.
School districts in Washington
See the 298 school districts in Washington, county by county, with enrollment and each district's website. County directories: Clark County · Grays Harbor County · King County · Klickitat County · Lewis County · Pierce County · Snohomish County · Spokane County · Stevens County · Whitman County · Yakima County.
Starting early in Washington
Districts may adopt regulations allowing individual exceptions, which should include a screening process.
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.