What age range typically attends elementary school?

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As a parent who recently relocated to the United States after living in a country with a different education system, I’m trying to understand the typical age range for elementary school enrollment here. My child is currently 5 years old and about to start schooling, but I’ve heard conflicting information—some sources mention ages 5–10 while others say 6–11. Given that age cutoffs can vary by state and even by district, especially concerning the minimum age for kindergarten, what is the most commonly accepted typical age range children attend elementary school across the majority of U.S. public systems? And should I account for early-start or delayed-entry exceptions when planning?

The typical age range for elementary school attendance is 5 to 11 years old. This generally corresponds to Kindergarten (K) through Grade 5.

Breakdown by Grade and Age:

  1. Kindergarten (K): Usually 5 years old (children typically turn 5 during the school year or before the enrollment cut-off date).
  2. Grade 1 (First Grade): 6 years old.
  3. Grade 2 (Second Grade): 7 years old.
  4. Grade 3 (Third Grade): 8 years old.
  5. Grade 4 (Fourth Grade): 9 years old.
  6. Grade 5 (Fifth Grade): 10 years old (students typically turn 11 during this grade year).

Key Variations:

  • Regional Differences:
    • In some regions (e.g., parts of Canada, Europe, or Australia), elementary school (or "primary school") may start at age 4 (pre-Kindergarten) or extend to age 12 (Grade 6).
    • In the United States, the modal structure is K–5 (ages 5–10/11).
    • In the United Kingdom, "primary school" typically covers ages 4–11 (Reception through Year 6).
  • Cut-Off Dates: Enrollment eligibility depends on local cut-off dates (e.g., a child must be 5 by September 1st to start K in the U.S.).
  • Alternatives:
    • Some systems have combined middle schools (Grades 6–8), shifting elementary to K–5 or K–6.
    • Countries like Germany use a tracked system (Grundschule for ages 6–10).

Duration:

Elementary school typically spans 6 years globally, though minor variations exist (e.g., 5 years in some regions).

Published: November 26, 2025