Class of 2036: What Grade Are They In?
As of the 2026 to 27 school year, the class of 2036 is in 3rd grade. Most are 8 or 9 years old, and they graduate high school in May or June 2036.
- Grade in 2026 to 27
- 3rd
- Elementary
- Age now
- 8 or 9
- Born 2017 or 2018
- High school
- Fall 2032
- Graduates May or June 2036
- Their college class
- 2040
- Estimate, four year path
What 3rd grade means for the class of 2036
The class of 2036 is in elementary school, 3rd grade in 2026 to 27. Middle school starts in fall 2029 and high school in fall 2032; grades usually start counting toward a college application in 9th grade, so these years are about reading, math and habits rather than a GPA.
Class of 2036 timeline, kindergarten to college
Every school year of the class of 2036, 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 | 2023 to 24 | 5 to 6 |
| 1st grade | 2024 to 25 | 6 to 7 |
| 2nd grade | 2025 to 26 | 7 to 8 |
| 3rd grade | 2026 to 27 | 8 to 9 |
| 4th grade | 2027 to 28 | 9 to 10 |
| 5th grade | 2028 to 29 | 10 to 11 |
| 6th grade | 2029 to 30 | 11 to 12 |
| 7th grade | 2030 to 31 | 12 to 13 |
| 8th grade | 2031 to 32 | 13 to 14 |
| 9th grade (freshman) | 2032 to 33 | 14 to 15 |
| 10th grade (sophomore) | 2033 to 34 | 15 to 16 |
| 11th grade (junior) | 2034 to 35 | 16 to 17 |
| 12th grade (senior) | 2035 to 36 | 17 to 18 |
| College year 1 (freshman) | 2036 to 37 | 18 to 19 |
| College year 2 (sophomore) | 2037 to 38 | 19 to 20 |
| College year 3 (junior) | 2038 to 39 | 20 to 21 |
| College year 4 (senior) | 2039 to 40 | 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 2036
- Born: September 2, 2017 to September 1, 2018 (September 1 cutoff, on time start)
- Kindergarten: fall 2023
- Middle school (6th grade): fall 2029
- High school (9th grade): fall 2032
- PSAT/NMSQT that counts for National Merit: October 2034 (11th grade)
- Senior year: fall 2035
- FAFSA for the first college year opens: by October 1, 2035
- Early decision and early action deadlines: usually November 2035
- College decision day: May 1, 2036
- High school graduation: May or June 2036
- College graduation, four year path: about 2040
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 2036
In college, the class of 2036 means the students who start as freshmen in fall 2032 and finish a four year degree in spring 2036; they will be the high school class of 2032. In high school, the class of 2036 is in 3rd grade in 2026 to 27, and on a straight four year path it is the college class of 2040. A college welcoming its class of 2036 and a high school counting down to graduation in 2036 are talking about two groups four years apart.
Questions and answers
What grade is the class of 2036 in right now?
In the 2026 to 27 school year the class of 2036 is in 3rd grade. They move up a grade every fall and graduate in May or June 2036, 10 school years from now counting this one.
How old is the class of 2036?
Most of the class of 2036 is 8 or 9 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, 2017 and September 1, 2018, so most turn 18 during senior year and graduate at 18, with summer birthdays still 17.
When will the class of 2036 start high school?
They start 9th grade in fall 2032, the 2032 to 33 school year, after starting kindergarten in fall 2023 and middle school in fall 2029.
When does the class of 2036 graduate?
They graduate from high school in May or June 2036, at the end of the 2035 to 36 school year; each district sets its own date. Students who go straight to a four year college are the college class of 2040.
Is the college class of 2036 the same as the high school class of 2036?
No. The college class of 2036 starts college in fall 2032 and will be the high school class of 2032. The high school class of 2036 is in 3rd grade in 2026 to 27; on a four year path they are the college class of 2040.
What year was the class of 2036 born?
Mostly 2017 and 2018: from September 2, 2017 to September 1, 2018 with a September 1 cutoff. In states with a later cutoff, fall birthdays from 2018 can join this class too, and a child who started kindergarten a year late belongs to the class of 2037.
From CurveFox