Georgia at a glance

  • Kindergarten: Age 5 on or prior to September 1.
  • Compulsory school age: 6 to 16.
  • Required instructional time: 180 days.
  • Statewide grading scale: none identified; grading is generally set by districts.
  • Remote learning instead of snow days: no statewide rule identified.

Kindergarten entry age

In Georgia, a child can typically start kindergarten if they are Age 5 on or prior to September 1. A child born just after the cutoff usually starts a year later — which is why two children born weeks apart can be a full grade apart.

Use the What Grade Am I In? calculator to turn a birthday into a grade level, or compare all states in our kindergarten cutoff table. Source: Education Commission of the States.

School year and attendance

Georgia: attendance and instructional time
RuleGeorgiaSource
Compulsory school age6–16ECS
Minimum instructional days180ECS (2023)
Minimum instructional hoursNot specifiedECS (2023)

Instructional-time rules decide how many missed days must be made up — the reason a winter with several snow days can push the last day of school later. Count down to yours with the Days Until Summer tool.

Grading scale

We did not find a statewide grading scale for Georgia — in most states the scale is set by the district or even the school, and many use 90/80/70/60 or a plus/minus variant. Check your student handbook, then convert scores with our grading scale converter.

Snow days and remote learning

Atlanta averages about 2.2 inches of snow a year (1991–2020 normals, source), which puts Georgia in our rare snow tier. Districts used to heavy snow need more of it to close; places that rarely see snow close for less.

O.C.G.A. 20-2-168 does not mention virtual/digital learning days. Local boards may skip up to 4 make-up days for emergency closures, and the State Board may authorize more flexibility. Local 'digital learning days' were not verified. Source.

Estimate tomorrow's odds with the Snow Day Calculator.

SAT and ACT scores in Georgia (class of 2026)

Georgia's class of 2026 averaged 1041 on the SAT with 60% of graduates tested, and 20.9 on the ACT with 22% tested. Nationally the averages were 1045 (SAT) and 19.2 (ACT).

Georgia SAT and ACT results, class of 2026
MeasureGeorgiaU.S.Rank (of 51)
SAT participation60%n/a17
SAT average total1041104534
SAT Reading & Writing / Math531 / 510528 / 517—
SAT total, class of 202510381029—
ACT participation22%38%27
ACT average composite20.919.223

Participation in Georgia is partial on both tests, so each average reflects a mix of students who chose to test. Compare scores only with states that have similar participation. The SAT and ACT scores by state study shows this participation effect across all 50 states and DC. To see where a single score lands, use the SAT score calculator or the ACT score calculator.

Sources: College Board SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report (Georgia, 2026); ACT 2026 average scores by state. Ranks are among the 50 states and DC.

Free tools for Georgia families and teachers

This page replaces the Georgia school listings of the homework-posting service that used this web address in the 2000s. The current site is independent of that service.

State rules change. Facts were checked against the linked sources on October 14, 2026; confirm with your district or state education department.

Frequently asked questions

What is the kindergarten cutoff date in Georgia?
In Georgia the rule is: Age 5 on or prior to September 1 (Education Commission of the States, 2026). A child born after the cutoff usually starts kindergarten the following school year.
What is the compulsory school age in Georgia?
Children in Georgia must attend school from age 6 to age 16, according to the Education Commission of the States summary of state law.
How many school days are required in Georgia?
Georgia requires 180 instructional days per year (ECS instructional time comparison, 2023). Missed snow days usually have to be made up to reach this minimum.
What is the average SAT and ACT score in Georgia?
For the class of 2026, Georgia averaged 1041 on the SAT (60% of graduates tested) and 20.9 on the ACT (22% tested), according to College Board and ACT state reports. Where nearly all students test, averages are lower because they include students who would not have chosen to take the exam.
Does Georgia have a statewide grading scale?
We did not find a statewide grading scale for Georgia; grading scales are generally set by districts or schools, so check your student handbook.
Can Georgia schools use remote learning instead of snow days?
We found no statewide rule for Georgia. O.C.G.A. 20-2-168 does not mention virtual/digital learning days. Local boards may skip up to 4 make-up days for emergency closures, and the State Board may authorize more flexibility. Local ‘digital learning days’ were not verified.