Arkansas Kindergarten Age Cutoff — Plus Preschool & TK (2026–2027)
In Arkansas, a child must turn 5 by August 1 to start kindergarten that fall. Arkansas does not have a statewide Transitional Kindergarten grade; children go from preschool/pre-K to kindergarten. Arkansas's public pre-K program, Arkansas Better Chance (ABC), is available to eligible families (eligible children birth–5 (mostly 3–4) in families below 200% of the federal poverty line).
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by August 1 |
|---|---|
| Transitional Kindergarten | Not offered statewide |
| Public pre-K | Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) — eligibility-based |
| Compulsory school age | 5 |
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Arkansas age cutoffs — the details
Kindergarten and TK cutoffs are set by state law; preschool has no legal age cutoff because it is private. Cutoff verified from the official Arkansas source. Always confirm the current date with your school or district — rules can change year to year.