Class of 2039: What Grade Are They In?
As of the 2026 to 27 school year, the class of 2039 is in kindergarten. Most are 5 or 6 years old, and they graduate high school in May or June 2039.
- Grade in 2026 to 27
- K
- Elementary
- Age now
- 5 or 6
- Born 2020 or 2021
- High school
- Fall 2035
- Graduates May or June 2039
- Their college class
- 2043
- Estimate, four year path
What kindergarten means for the class of 2039
The class of 2039 is in its first school year, kindergarten, in 2026 to 27. They reach middle school (6th grade) in fall 2032 and high school in fall 2035, and they will be 17 or 18 when they graduate in May or June 2039. Parents checking whether a fall birthday makes the cut can test any date in the graduation year calculator.
Class of 2039 timeline, kindergarten to college
Every school year of the class of 2039, 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 | 2026 to 27 | 5 to 6 |
| 1st grade | 2027 to 28 | 6 to 7 |
| 2nd grade | 2028 to 29 | 7 to 8 |
| 3rd grade | 2029 to 30 | 8 to 9 |
| 4th grade | 2030 to 31 | 9 to 10 |
| 5th grade | 2031 to 32 | 10 to 11 |
| 6th grade | 2032 to 33 | 11 to 12 |
| 7th grade | 2033 to 34 | 12 to 13 |
| 8th grade | 2034 to 35 | 13 to 14 |
| 9th grade (freshman) | 2035 to 36 | 14 to 15 |
| 10th grade (sophomore) | 2036 to 37 | 15 to 16 |
| 11th grade (junior) | 2037 to 38 | 16 to 17 |
| 12th grade (senior) | 2038 to 39 | 17 to 18 |
| College year 1 (freshman) | 2039 to 40 | 18 to 19 |
| College year 2 (sophomore) | 2040 to 41 | 19 to 20 |
| College year 3 (junior) | 2041 to 42 | 20 to 21 |
| College year 4 (senior) | 2042 to 43 | 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 2039
- Born: September 2, 2020 to September 1, 2021 (September 1 cutoff, on time start)
- Kindergarten: fall 2026
- Middle school (6th grade): fall 2032
- High school (9th grade): fall 2035
- PSAT/NMSQT that counts for National Merit: October 2037 (11th grade)
- Senior year: fall 2038
- FAFSA for the first college year opens: by October 1, 2038
- Early decision and early action deadlines: usually November 2038
- College decision day: May 1, 2039
- High school graduation: May or June 2039
- College graduation, four year path: about 2043
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 2039
In college, the class of 2039 means the students who start as freshmen in fall 2035 and finish a four year degree in spring 2039; they will be the high school class of 2035. In high school, the class of 2039 is in kindergarten in 2026 to 27, and on a straight four year path it is the college class of 2043. A college welcoming its class of 2039 and a high school counting down to graduation in 2039 are talking about two groups four years apart.
Questions and answers
What grade is the class of 2039 in right now?
In the 2026 to 27 school year the class of 2039 is in kindergarten. They move up a grade every fall and graduate in May or June 2039, 13 school years from now counting this one.
How old is the class of 2039?
Most of the class of 2039 is 5 or 6 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, 2020 and September 1, 2021, so most turn 18 during senior year and graduate at 18, with summer birthdays still 17.
When will the class of 2039 start high school?
They start 9th grade in fall 2035, the 2035 to 36 school year, after starting kindergarten in fall 2026 and middle school in fall 2032.
When does the class of 2039 graduate?
They graduate from high school in May or June 2039, at the end of the 2038 to 39 school year; each district sets its own date. Students who go straight to a four year college are the college class of 2043.
Is the college class of 2039 the same as the high school class of 2039?
No. The college class of 2039 starts college in fall 2035 and will be the high school class of 2035. The high school class of 2039 is in kindergarten in 2026 to 27; on a four year path they are the college class of 2043.
What year was the class of 2039 born?
Mostly 2020 and 2021: from September 2, 2020 to September 1, 2021 with a September 1 cutoff. In states with a later cutoff, fall birthdays from 2021 can join this class too, and a child who started kindergarten a year late belongs to the class of 2040.
From CurveFox