High School Entry Age & Graduation Year Calculator
Estimate when a student will start high school (9th grade) and their projected graduation year. This tool is perfect for long-term planning. Simply enter a child’s date of birth to see their entire high school timeline.
Calculate High School Timeline
How High School Entry Age is Determined
The journey to high school begins with kindergarten. A student’s high school start date is a direct progression from the year they were eligible for kindergarten. The standard US education path is 13 years long (Kindergarten + Grades 1-12). Our calculator works backward from this principle:
- Determine Kindergarten Start Year: Based on the date of birth and a state’s cut-off date, we find the year the student started Kindergarten. (For more on this, use our Kindergarten Calculator).
- Add Nine Years for Freshman Year: Since 9th grade (Freshman year) is the ninth year of school after kindergarten, we add nine years to the kindergarten start year. For example, a student starting K in 2015 will start 9th grade in the fall of 2024.
- Calculate Graduation Year: High school graduation (after 12th grade) occurs three years after starting 9th grade. So, we add three more years to the Freshman year start.
Typical Ages for High School Grades in the US
High school students in the United States are typically between the ages of 14 and 18. The table below shows the common names and age ranges for each grade level. For a deeper dive into these terms, read our guide that explains Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years.
| Grade Level | Common Name | Typical Age Range |
|---|---|---|
| 9th Grade | Freshman | 14-15 years old |
| 10th Grade | Sophomore | 15-16 years old |
| 11th Grade | Junior | 16-17 years old |
| 12th Grade | Senior | 17-18 years old |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a student graduate high school early?
Yes, some students graduate early by taking extra classes, attending summer school, or earning credits through college-level courses. Policies for early graduation are set by local school districts and state boards of education. It typically requires careful planning with a school guidance counselor.
What happens if a student is held back (retained) a grade?
If a student is retained in a grade, their high school entry and graduation years will be delayed by one year for each grade they repeat. Our calculator assumes a standard progression without grade retention.
What does “Class of 2028” mean?
The “Class of” refers to the year a student is expected to graduate from high school. So, the “Class of 2028” are the students who began their freshman year in the fall of 2024 and are on track to graduate in the spring of 2028. Check out our post on the Class of 2026 for an example.
Last Updated: April 2025