Florida school age calculator
Florida requires children to turn 5 on or before September 1 to start kindergarten that fall. Enter your child's birthday to check eligibility and see the full school year timeline.
Select your country and region, then choose the child's date of birth to see their grade and school timeline.
Florida kindergarten rules
Florida Statute 1003.21 sets September 1 as the statewide kindergarten cutoff date. Children must be 5 years old on or before September 1 to enroll. Florida law also mandates kindergarten attendance: children who are 6 years old and reside in Florida must be enrolled in school. Florida Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) is available for all 4-year-olds who will be 4 by September 1 of the school year.
Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) in Florida
Florida's Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) program provides free pre-kindergarten education to all Florida 4-year-olds (those who turn 4 by September 1). VPK runs either as a school-year program (540 hours) or a summer program (300 hours). It is free for all eligible children regardless of family income. VPK does not require children to meet any income or other eligibility criteria beyond age.
FAQ
What is Florida's kindergarten cutoff date?
Florida's kindergarten cutoff is September 1. Children must turn 5 on or before September 1 to enroll in kindergarten for that school year.
Is kindergarten required in Florida?
Florida requires school attendance by age 6. While kindergarten itself is not technically mandatory, children must be enrolled in school by the time they turn 6, which in practice means attending kindergarten at age 5 or starting school at 6.
Does Florida have free Pre-K?
Yes. Florida Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) is free for all 4-year-olds who turn 4 by September 1. It is available at public schools and approved private providers across the state.