How school grade cutoff dates work
Most school systems determine grade placement by the child's age on a specific "cutoff date" — typically the first day of the school year or a date just before it. Children who turn 5 before the cutoff start Kindergarten (or Reception in the UK) that year; children born after the cutoff wait until the following year.
The most common US cutoff is September 1 (used by most states). Some states use October 1, December 1, or other dates. Cutoff policy can change, so always confirm with your state's Department of Education or your district.
International grade equivalents
| Age (approx.) | USA | UK (England) | India |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4–5 | Pre-K / Kindergarten | Reception (Year 1) | Pre-Primary / LKG |
| 5–6 | Grade 1 | Year 1 | UKG / Class 1 |
| 10–11 | Grade 5 | Year 6 | Class 5 |
| 14–15 | Grade 9 | Year 10 | Class 9 |
| 17–18 | Grade 12 | Year 13 / A-Level 2 | Class 12 / 10+2 |