Iowa Kindergarten Age Cutoff — Plus Preschool & TK (2026–2027)
In Iowa, a child must turn 5 by September 15 to start kindergarten that fall. Iowa does not have a statewide Transitional Kindergarten grade; children go from preschool/pre-K to kindergarten. Iowa's public pre-K program, Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SWVPP), is open to all 4-year-olds (age 4 by September 15; free, no income test, open to all 4-year-olds where the district participates (most do)).
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 15 |
|---|---|
| Transitional Kindergarten | Not offered statewide |
| Public pre-K | Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SWVPP) — universal (age 4) |
| Compulsory school age | 6 |
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Iowa 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 Iowa source. Always confirm the current date with your school or district — rules can change year to year.