Class of 2027: What Grade Are They In?
As of the 2026 to 27 school year, the class of 2027 is in 12th grade (senior year). Most are 17 or 18 years old, and they graduate high school in May or June 2027.
- Grade in 2026 to 27
- 12th
- High school
- Age now
- 17 or 18
- Born 2008 or 2009
- High school
- Fall 2023
- Graduates May or June 2027
- Their college class
- 2031
- Estimate, four year path
What 12th grade means for the class of 2027
Senior year means college applications for the class of 2027: early deadlines usually fall in November 2026, regular ones around January 2027, and most colleges ask for a decision by May 1. First semester grades still go to colleges, and offers can depend on a final transcript, so the last year counts too. Graduation is in May or June 2027; check where your GPA lands with the high school GPA calculator.
Class of 2027 timeline, kindergarten to college
Every school year of the class of 2027, with the age most students are at the start and the end of the year. The college rows assume a four year degree straight after high school.
| Grade | School year | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 2014 to 15 | 5 to 6 |
| 1st grade | 2015 to 16 | 6 to 7 |
| 2nd grade | 2016 to 17 | 7 to 8 |
| 3rd grade | 2017 to 18 | 8 to 9 |
| 4th grade | 2018 to 19 | 9 to 10 |
| 5th grade | 2019 to 20 | 10 to 11 |
| 6th grade | 2020 to 21 | 11 to 12 |
| 7th grade | 2021 to 22 | 12 to 13 |
| 8th grade | 2022 to 23 | 13 to 14 |
| 9th grade (freshman) | 2023 to 24 | 14 to 15 |
| 10th grade (sophomore) | 2024 to 25 | 15 to 16 |
| 11th grade (junior) | 2025 to 26 | 16 to 17 |
| 12th grade (senior) | 2026 to 27 | 17 to 18 |
| College year 1 (freshman) | 2027 to 28 | 18 to 19 |
| College year 2 (sophomore) | 2028 to 29 | 19 to 20 |
| College year 3 (junior) | 2029 to 30 | 20 to 21 |
| College year 4 (senior) | 2030 to 31 | 21 to 22 |
The highlighted row is the 2026 to 27 school year. Computed with a September 1 kindergarten cutoff and a new school year from July 1.
Key dates for the class of 2027
- Born: September 2, 2008 to September 1, 2009 (September 1 cutoff, on time start)
- Kindergarten: fall 2014
- Middle school (6th grade): fall 2020
- High school (9th grade): fall 2023
- PSAT/NMSQT that counts for National Merit: October 2025 (11th grade)
- Senior year: fall 2026
- FAFSA for the first college year opens: by October 1, 2026
- Early decision and early action deadlines: usually November 2026
- College decision day: May 1, 2027
- High school graduation: May or June 2027
- College graduation, four year path: about 2031
Born on a different date, or in a state with another cutoff? The graduation year calculator finds the class from any birthday or grade.
Admissions dates: BigFuture, PSAT/NMSQT FAQ, U.S. Department of Education, 2027 to 28 FAFSA, College Board, Early decision and early action, checked October 23, 2026. Each college and state sets its own deadlines, so check the ones on your list.
College class of 2027
In college, the class of 2027 means the students who started as freshmen in fall 2023 and finish a four year degree in spring 2027; they were the high school class of 2023. In high school, the class of 2027 is in 12th grade (senior year) in 2026 to 27, and on a straight four year path it is the college class of 2031. A college welcoming its class of 2027 and a high school counting down to graduation in 2027 are talking about two groups four years apart.
Questions and answers
What grade is the class of 2027 in right now?
In the 2026 to 27 school year the class of 2027 is in 12th grade (senior year). They move up a grade every fall and graduate in May or June 2027, at the end of this school year.
How old is the class of 2027?
Most of the class of 2027 is 17 or 18 years old right now (as of the 2026 to 27 school year). With the common September 1 kindergarten cutoff, students who started on time were born between September 2, 2008 and September 1, 2009, so most turn 18 during senior year and graduate at 18, with summer birthdays still 17.
When did the class of 2027 start high school?
They started 9th grade in fall 2023, the 2023 to 24 school year, after starting kindergarten in fall 2014 and middle school in fall 2020.
When does the class of 2027 graduate?
They graduate from high school in May or June 2027, at the end of the 2026 to 27 school year; each district sets its own date. Students who go straight to a four year college are the college class of 2031.
Is the college class of 2027 the same as the high school class of 2027?
No. The college class of 2027 started college in fall 2023 and was the high school class of 2023. The high school class of 2027 is in 12th grade (senior year) in 2026 to 27; on a four year path they are the college class of 2031.
What year was the class of 2027 born?
Mostly 2008 and 2009: from September 2, 2008 to September 1, 2009 with a September 1 cutoff. In states with a later cutoff, fall birthdays from 2009 can join this class too, and a child who started kindergarten a year late belongs to the class of 2028.
From CurveFox