Graduation Calculator by Birthday

Frequently asked questions

What high school graduating class am I in based on my birthday?

In the United States, your high school graduating class is usually the year you turn 18. Children typically start kindergarten in the fall of the year they turn 5, then graduate high school 13 school years later. For example, a child born on May 15, 2008 starts kindergarten in the 2013-2014 school year and graduates as the Class of 2026.

How does the kindergarten cutoff date change my graduation year?

Most schools require a child to turn 5 on or before a cutoff date, commonly September 1, to start kindergarten that fall. If the fifth birthday falls after the cutoff, the child waits and starts the next fall, which pushes high school graduation one year later. For example, a child born October 15, 2008 with a September 1 cutoff starts kindergarten in the 2014-2015 school year, so the high school class moves from 2026 to 2027.

What does being redshirted or held back a year mean for graduation?

Redshirting means a child delays kindergarten by one extra year even though they meet the age cutoff, often to gain maturity or size for sports. It shifts the whole timeline forward by one year. A child born May 15, 2008 who is redshirted starts kindergarten in the 2014-2015 school year, graduates high school as the Class of 2027, and finishes a four-year college degree in 2031.

If I was born late in the year, when will I graduate high school?

It depends on your school cutoff date. With the common September 1 cutoff, a child born in October, November, or December starts kindergarten the fall after turning 5. For example, a child born October 20, 2010 starts kindergarten in the 2016-2017 school year and graduates high school as the Class of 2029.

When will I graduate college based on my birthday?

Add four years to your high school graduating class for a standard bachelor's degree: two years for an associate degree and about six for a master's. Someone born May 15, 2008 in the high school Class of 2026 typically earns a bachelor's degree in 2030.

Why does this calculator ask for a school cutoff date?

Cutoff dates decide which school year a child belongs to, and they differ by state and district: September 1 is the most common, but August 1, October 1, and December 31 are also used. Picking the cutoff your district uses keeps the kindergarten start year, high school class, and college years accurate.