California school age calculator
California uses September 1 as the kindergarten cutoff date. A child must turn 5 on or before September 1 to start kindergarten that fall. Enter your child's birthday to check eligibility and see their full school timeline.
Select your country and region, then choose the child's date of birth to see their grade and school timeline.
California kindergarten cutoff: the law and what it means
California Education Code §48000 requires that a child turn 5 on or before September 1 to enroll in kindergarten that fall. A child born August 31 qualifies; a child born September 2 does not — they must wait a full year. This single-day difference locks in a child's entire K–12 grade placement. California also added a special bridge program for children who just miss the cutoff: Transitional Kindergarten (TK), a free public year before kindergarten available to children who turn 5 between September 2 and June 2.
Transitional Kindergarten (TK): a free extra year
California's TK program, expanded to full universal eligibility by 2025–26, is available to any child who turns 5 between September 2 and June 2 of the school year. TK is free at all California public schools, uses a play-based curriculum with smaller class sizes (12:1 student-to-teacher ratio), and counts as the first year of a two-year kindergarten sequence. After TK, children move on to regular kindergarten. Children who attend TK enter Grade 1 one year later than peers who went straight to kindergarten — this is normal and expected. TK has no income or eligibility requirements beyond the birthday window.
How to enroll: district timelines and required documents
California school districts typically open kindergarten and TK enrollment between January and March for the following fall. To enroll, you will generally need: a certified copy of the birth certificate, proof of California residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement in your name showing the address), and up-to-date immunization records (California requires vaccines for polio, MMR, DTaP, Hep B, and varicella for kindergarten entry). Most districts use an online enrollment portal. If you are in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), enrollment for kindergarten and TK opens in February through the MySchools LA portal.
LAUSD and other major districts
LAUSD is the second-largest school district in the US, serving over 400,000 students. Kindergarten enrollment in LAUSD opens in February each year via the MySchools LA online portal. Families can rank school preferences, and LAUSD assigns seats based on a combination of geographic priority and availability. San Diego Unified, San Francisco Unified, and Sacramento City Unified all follow the same September 1 cutoff and open enrollment in February or March. For charter schools in California, enrollment lotteries typically open in January and close in March.
If your child just misses the September 1 cutoff
Children born September 2 through June 2 qualify for Transitional Kindergarten — this is by far the best option for most families since it is free, public, and counts as an academic year. Children born after June 2 (July or August birthdays who just missed the cutoff) have two paths: wait until the following fall for regular kindergarten, or enroll in a private kindergarten program and then request transfer to public Grade 1 the following year (though Grade 1 placement depends on school assessment). Research consistently shows that being among the older students in a class carries academic and social advantages — waiting is rarely a mistake.
FAQ
What is California's kindergarten cutoff date?
September 1. A child must turn 5 on or before September 1 to enroll in kindergarten that fall. Children who turn 5 between September 2 and June 2 are eligible for free Transitional Kindergarten (TK).
What is Transitional Kindergarten in California?
TK is a free, public one-year program for children who turn 5 between September 2 and June 2. It is taught at public schools with a play-based curriculum and smaller class sizes. Children who complete TK move to kindergarten the following year — it adds one year to the K–12 journey at no cost.
Is kindergarten mandatory in California?
Yes, as of 2010. Children must be enrolled in kindergarten or an approved alternative during the school year they turn 6. TK is voluntary, but kindergarten itself is compulsory.
When does kindergarten enrollment open in California?
Most California districts open kindergarten and TK enrollment in January–March for the following fall. LAUSD opens enrollment in February through the MySchools LA portal. Contact your specific district for exact dates.
What documents do I need for kindergarten enrollment in California?
Typically: a certified birth certificate, proof of California residency (utility bill or lease), and up-to-date immunization records. California requires proof of vaccines for polio, MMR, DTaP, Hep B, and varicella before kindergarten entry.