State-by-State Guide – When Can You Legally Drop Out of School?

Lets breakdown thanks to people who invented school most of you need to have a certain age before u want to drop out.

Most states have exceptions to the established age limits for dropping out of school.

In many cases, students may leave school at different ages if specific conditions are met, and some states require parental consent even if the student has reached the maximum age for mandatory attendance.

Since state laws can change over time, it’s wise to consult the latest statutes through this guide to state laws provided by the Library of Congress.

State By State Breakdown

(Note: “—” indicates data not available, and “N/A” indicates no maximum age limit is set for the state.)

State-Specific Exceptions and Notes on School Attendance Laws

Alabama

• Parents or legal guardians of a 6-year-old may opt out of enrolling their child in school by notifying the local board of education in writing. In this case, the child does not need to attend school until age 7.
• Students in Alabama city school systems are entitled to admission until age 19.

Alaska

• Students must attend school until they are 16 or have completed 12th grade.

Arizona

• Attendance is required until students are 16 years old or have completed 10th grade.

California

• School districts cannot receive state funding for independent study for students aged 21 or older, or for students aged 19 or older who have not been continuously enrolled in grades K–12 since their 18th birthday.

Connecticut

• Parents of 5- or 6-year-old children can opt out of enrolling their child in school until age 7 by signing an option form.

District of Columbia

• Children who are at least 3 years old by September 30 are eligible for the preK-3 program; those aged 4 by this date qualify for the preK-4 program, and 5-year-olds are eligible for kindergarten.
• Adult residents are eligible for free instruction as long as they meet all admission criteria.

Illinois

• Re-enrollment is denied for students aged 19 or older who have dropped out and cannot, due to age or insufficient credits, graduate before their 21st birthday.

Iowa

• Children enrolled in preschool programs are considered to be of compulsory attendance age if they are 4 years old on or before September 15.

Kansas

• Adults have access to public education, but districts are not required to provide regular school services to individuals aged 19 or older. However, districts must offer alternative educational services or programs.

Louisiana

• City and parish school boards may admit children younger than 5 to kindergarten if they are identified as gifted under state guidelines.
• Admission must be granted to students aged 19 or younger (on September 30) or 20-year-olds with sufficient credits to graduate within one school year.

Maine

• Children must be 5 years old by October 15 to enroll in kindergarten. Four-year-olds can enroll in public preschool programs where available.

Massachusetts

• Each school committee establishes its minimum age for attendance, but it must not exceed the state’s mandatory minimum.

Missouri

• Attendance is required until age 17 or the completion of 16 high school credits.
• A child aged 5 to 7 may be excused from attendance if a parent or guardian submits a written request.

Montana

• Students must attend school until age 16 or completion of 8th grade.

Nevada

• Students may attend public school until age 21. Those aged 18 or older may opt for adult high school programs, which have no upper age limit.

New York

• Boards in certain districts (e.g., New York City, Syracuse, Rochester) may require children aged 5 by December 1 to attend kindergarten unless parents opt out.
• Local boards may require unemployed 16- and 17-year-olds to remain in school until the end of the school year in which they turn 17.

Oklahoma

• Children aged 4 or 5 by September 1 may attend free half-day or full-day programs, provided the district has adequate facilities and staff.

Oregon

• Districts may admit students under 21 who need additional education to earn a diploma.

Pennsylvania

• Boards may establish kindergarten for children aged 4–6.
• Students who turn 21 during the school year may continue attending public school for free until the term ends.

Rhode Island

• Students aged 16 may leave school if they have an alternative plan to earn a diploma or its equivalent.
• While some districts allow students to complete the school year after turning 21, this practice is not required statewide.

South Carolina

• Individuals over 21 may attend night school programs.

South Dakota

• Students aged 16 may leave school if enrolled in a GED preparation program and successfully complete the test or turn 18.

Vermont

• Attendance is required until students are 16 or have completed 10th grade.

Wyoming

• Students must attend school until age 16 or the completion of 10th grade.

Decline in Dropout Rates

Our Executive Director @ManyasaChebi presented findings on the ‘Estimated dropout rate by school category and gender’ during the launch of the SESS Report 2024. The report shows that more boys than girls dropped out of school in all categories of schools. #EducationJustice4ALL pic.twitter.com/oqToviqS5T

— @UsawaAgenda (@usawaagenda) July 11, 2024

Studies have shown that over the past 18 years, high school dropout rates in the United States have decreased by nearly two-thirds. In 2000, approximately 1.6 million teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were not attending school or had not completed high school. Today, that number has dropped to about 669,000.

While every state sets a minimum age for leaving school, there are often exceptions that allow students to drop out earlier. Some states let school districts accommodate local needs, particularly in rural areas.

According to the Education Commission of the States, exemptions are frequently granted for students who need to work, have physical or mental health challenges, or have parental permission to leave school early.

Truancy

What happens when students begin disengaging from school before reaching the legal dropout age?

Skipping school without permission can stem from various causes. However, when absenteeism becomes chronic, states often classify such students as “truant” after specific thresholds are met. For instance:

• In Connecticut, a truant is defined as a student with four unexcused absences in a month or 10 in a school year.
• In Illinois, a student is truant if they accumulate unexcused absences for 10% of 180 consecutive school days.

When a student is labeled truant, many states have the authority to take legal action against the parents.

According to the Urban Institute, 24 states and the District of Columbia permit juvenile or family courts to impose punitive measures on parents of truant children.

How Parents Can Help

If your teenager is considering dropping out, convincing them to stay in school may be challenging. They may view dropping out as an escape from school-related frustrations and an opportunity to start earning money sooner.

Parents can take proactive steps to address these concerns. Start by having an open discussion about the potential long-term consequences of dropping out and explore ways to make the school experience more positive. School counselors and staff can be valuable allies in finding solutions that align with your child’s needs.

It’s also important to remember that leaving school doesn’t necessarily close the door to education. Many students who drop out later pursue their GED and even advance to college degrees, demonstrating that educational pathways remain open.