New Mexico Kindergarten Age Cutoff — Plus Preschool & TK (2026–2027)
In New Mexico, a child must turn 5 by September 1 to start kindergarten that fall. New Mexico does not have a statewide Transitional Kindergarten grade; children go from preschool/pre-K to kindergarten. New Mexico's public pre-K program, New Mexico PreK (NM PreK), is open to all 4-year-olds (age 4 by September 1; free and income-blind for all 4-year-olds (supply-limited; 2/3 of seats prioritized to Title I zones)).
| Kindergarten cutoff | Turn 5 by September 1 |
|---|---|
| Transitional Kindergarten | Not offered statewide |
| Public pre-K | New Mexico PreK (NM PreK) — universal (age 4) |
| Compulsory school age | 5 |
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New Mexico 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 New Mexico source. Always confirm the current date with your school or district — rules can change year to year.