Compulsory attendance age is the legally mandated age range during which children must receive formal education—typically starting between ages 5-8 and ending between 16-18, depending on your state.
What is Compulsory Attendance Age?
Every state requires children to receive education during certain ages—this is the compulsory attendance age range. States set both a starting age (when education must begin) and an ending age (when the requirement expires). These laws don't mandate public school specifically; they require education, which homeschooling satisfies when done according to state regulations. Understanding your state's compulsory attendance ages matters because it determines when you must officially begin complying with homeschool laws and when those obligations end.
Key Takeaways
- Starting ages range from 5 (South Carolina, Oklahoma, Maryland) to 8 (Pennsylvania, Washington)
- Ending ages range from 16 (many states) to 18 (California, Louisiana, Oregon)
- Before compulsory age, you can educate without formal notification or compliance in most states
- Voluntarily enrolling in public school before compulsory age typically triggers attendance requirements immediately
When Homeschool Obligations Begin
Before your child reaches compulsory attendance age, you can homeschool freely without notifying anyone or maintaining records in most states. Once your child reaches that age—determined by state-specific cutoff dates, usually September 1 or 15—you must file notices of intent (in most states), begin maintaining required records, and comply with your state's homeschool regulations. The transition matters: a 5-year-old learning at home is just... at home. That same child at age 6 (in a state with 6 as the starting age) is now officially homeschooling with legal obligations.
The Kindergarten Question
Kindergarten is not compulsory in most states. If your state's compulsory age is 6, your 5-year-old doesn't legally need to be doing school at all. However—and this trips up many families—if you voluntarily enroll your 5-year-old in public school kindergarten, they immediately become subject to compulsory attendance laws even though they wouldn't otherwise be required to attend. Withdrawing to homeschool then requires formal notification and compliance. Some families delay formal schooling until compulsory age specifically to avoid this.
When Requirements End
Most states end compulsory attendance at 16, 17, or 18—or upon high school graduation, whichever comes first. If your 16-year-old graduates early in a state where compulsory attendance ends at 18, graduation typically satisfies the requirement. Some states allow withdrawal at 16-17 with parental consent and specific conditions like counseling or alternative program enrollment. Once your student reaches the ending age or graduates, homeschool documentation requirements typically cease, though you'll want records for college applications regardless.
Cutoff Dates Matter
States use specific dates—usually September 1 or September 15—to determine a child's age for the school year. A child who turns 6 on September 2 in a state using September 1 as the cutoff may not be required to enroll until the following school year. Understanding your state's cutoff date helps you know exactly when compliance begins. This also matters for planning: if your child has a late summer birthday, you may have an extra year before formal requirements kick in.
The Bottom Line
Compulsory attendance age determines the window during which your state requires education. Before that age, you can educate freely. After it, you must comply with homeschool regulations. Most states start between ages 5-7 and end between 16-18, but exact ages and cutoff dates vary. Knowing your state's requirements helps you plan the transition into official homeschooling and understand when obligations conclude. Check your specific state law—and be aware that voluntary public school enrollment before compulsory age creates immediate obligations.
