Class of 2028: What Grade Are They In?
As of the 2026 to 27 school year, the class of 2028 is in 11th grade (junior year). Most are 16 or 17 years old, and they graduate high school in May or June 2028.
- Grade in 2026 to 27
- 11th
- High school
- Age now
- 16 or 17
- Born 2009 or 2010
- High school
- Fall 2024
- Graduates May or June 2028
- Their college class
- 2032
- Estimate, four year path
What 11th grade means for the class of 2028
Junior year is the busiest testing year for the class of 2028: the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2026 is the one that counts for National Merit, many students take the SAT or ACT for the first time in the spring, and AP exams come in May 2027. Estimate a practice test with the PSAT, SAT or ACT score calculator, and see every date in the AP exam schedule.
Class of 2028 timeline, kindergarten to college
Every school year of the class of 2028, 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 | 2015 to 16 | 5 to 6 |
| 1st grade | 2016 to 17 | 6 to 7 |
| 2nd grade | 2017 to 18 | 7 to 8 |
| 3rd grade | 2018 to 19 | 8 to 9 |
| 4th grade | 2019 to 20 | 9 to 10 |
| 5th grade | 2020 to 21 | 10 to 11 |
| 6th grade | 2021 to 22 | 11 to 12 |
| 7th grade | 2022 to 23 | 12 to 13 |
| 8th grade | 2023 to 24 | 13 to 14 |
| 9th grade (freshman) | 2024 to 25 | 14 to 15 |
| 10th grade (sophomore) | 2025 to 26 | 15 to 16 |
| 11th grade (junior) | 2026 to 27 | 16 to 17 |
| 12th grade (senior) | 2027 to 28 | 17 to 18 |
| College year 1 (freshman) | 2028 to 29 | 18 to 19 |
| College year 2 (sophomore) | 2029 to 30 | 19 to 20 |
| College year 3 (junior) | 2030 to 31 | 20 to 21 |
| College year 4 (senior) | 2031 to 32 | 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 2028
- Born: September 2, 2009 to September 1, 2010 (September 1 cutoff, on time start)
- Kindergarten: fall 2015
- Middle school (6th grade): fall 2021
- High school (9th grade): fall 2024
- PSAT/NMSQT that counts for National Merit: October 2026 (11th grade)
- Senior year: fall 2027
- FAFSA for the first college year opens: by October 1, 2027
- Early decision and early action deadlines: usually November 2027
- College decision day: May 1, 2028
- High school graduation: May or June 2028
- College graduation, four year path: about 2032
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 2028
In college, the class of 2028 means the students who started as freshmen in fall 2024 and finish a four year degree in spring 2028; they were the high school class of 2024. In high school, the class of 2028 is in 11th grade (junior year) in 2026 to 27, and on a straight four year path it is the college class of 2032. A college welcoming its class of 2028 and a high school counting down to graduation in 2028 are talking about two groups four years apart.
Questions and answers
What grade is the class of 2028 in right now?
In the 2026 to 27 school year the class of 2028 is in 11th grade (junior year). They move up a grade every fall and graduate in May or June 2028, 2 school years from now counting this one.
How old is the class of 2028?
Most of the class of 2028 is 16 or 17 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, 2009 and September 1, 2010, so most turn 18 during senior year and graduate at 18, with summer birthdays still 17.
When did the class of 2028 start high school?
They started 9th grade in fall 2024, the 2024 to 25 school year, after starting kindergarten in fall 2015 and middle school in fall 2021.
When does the class of 2028 graduate?
They graduate from high school in May or June 2028, at the end of the 2027 to 28 school year; each district sets its own date. Students who go straight to a four year college are the college class of 2032.
Is the college class of 2028 the same as the high school class of 2028?
No. The college class of 2028 started college in fall 2024 and was the high school class of 2024. The high school class of 2028 is in 11th grade (junior year) in 2026 to 27; on a four year path they are the college class of 2032.
What year was the class of 2028 born?
Mostly 2009 and 2010: from September 2, 2009 to September 1, 2010 with a September 1 cutoff. In states with a later cutoff, fall birthdays from 2010 can join this class too, and a child who started kindergarten a year late belongs to the class of 2029.
From CurveFox