Georgia school age calculator
Georgia uses September 1 as the kindergarten cutoff. Children must turn 5 by September 1 to start kindergarten that fall. Enter your child's birthday to check eligibility.
Select your country and region, then choose the child's date of birth to see their grade and school timeline.
Georgia's September 1 kindergarten cutoff
Georgia law (O.C.G.A. §20-2-150) sets September 1 as the statewide kindergarten cutoff. Children must be 5 years old on or before September 1 to enroll. Compulsory school attendance in Georgia begins at age 6 (O.C.G.A. §20-2-690.1). There is no Georgia TK program equivalent to California's — children who miss the September 1 cutoff wait until the following fall. Georgia's school year typically starts in early August, meaning kindergarteners are often just barely 5 when school begins.
Georgia's Pre-K Program: truly universal, no income requirement
Georgia operates one of the oldest and most successful universal pre-K programs in the US. Georgia's Pre-K Program has been available to all Georgia 4-year-olds since 1995, regardless of income — one of only a few states with truly income-blind universal pre-K. The program is funded through the Georgia Lottery for Education. Children must turn 4 by September 1 to be eligible. The program provides 180 school days of instructional programming, typically 6.5 hours per day. It is offered at public schools, licensed private providers, and Head Start agencies. Demand often exceeds supply, so Georgia uses a lottery system.
How the Georgia Pre-K lottery works
Because Georgia Pre-K is popular and seats are limited, enrollment uses a lottery system administered through Bright from the Start (Georgia's Department of Early Care and Learning). The lottery application period typically opens in January–February for the following fall. Families submit one application through the Bright from the Start lottery portal, ranking up to five provider preferences. Results are announced in March–April. Families who do not win the lottery can join waitlists at individual providers, as seats often open as families decline or relocate. Apply early — the lottery opens the same date statewide and closes within a few weeks.
Atlanta Public Schools and major district enrollment
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) uses September 1 as the cutoff and opens kindergarten enrollment in January. APS has both neighborhood (zoned) schools and magnet programs; magnet school applications are submitted separately and have earlier deadlines (typically November–December). Required documents for APS kindergarten: birth certificate, proof of residency (two documents), Georgia immunization record (Form 3231 — required by Georgia law, different from a standard shot record), and a hearing and vision screening. Georgia requires Form 3231 specifically — ask your child's pediatrician to complete this form before enrollment.
What to do if your child misses Georgia's cutoff
Children born after September 1 must wait until the following fall for public kindergarten. Georgia Pre-K is an excellent option for 4-year-olds; even families whose children just missed kindergarten eligibility can enroll in Pre-K if their child turns 4 by September 1. For children who turn 5 between September 2 and December 31, they are in an awkward middle zone — too old for Pre-K (which serves 4-year-olds), but not yet eligible for kindergarten. Private preschool programs or licensed childcare are typically the bridge for this group. The following fall, these children enter kindergarten as some of the oldest in the class — a documented academic advantage.
FAQ
What is Georgia's kindergarten cutoff date?
September 1. Children must turn 5 on or before September 1 to enroll in public kindergarten that fall.
Does Georgia have free Pre-K for all children?
Yes. Georgia's Pre-K Program is available to all Georgia 4-year-olds (turning 4 by September 1) regardless of family income. It is a lottery-based program — apply in January–February through Bright from the Start.
How do I apply for Georgia Pre-K?
Through the Bright from the Start lottery portal, typically open January–February for the following fall. You can rank up to 5 provider preferences. Results are announced in March–April. Join provider waitlists if you don't win the lottery.
What immunization form does Georgia require for kindergarten?
Georgia requires Form 3231 — the Georgia Certificate of Immunization — issued by your child's physician. A standard printout from a pediatrician's portal is not sufficient; the physician must complete the state form.
When does kindergarten enrollment open in Georgia?
Most Georgia districts open enrollment in January–February for the following fall. Atlanta Public Schools opens in January. Contact your district for exact dates and required documents.