File: JCA/JG-1

COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE AGES

Massachusetts law establishes the state Board of Education as the agent which determines mandatory and permissible school attendance ages, with exceptions listed in law. Generally, the State Board requires that all children be enrolled in school beginning in September of the calendar year in which they attain the age of 6 and that they attend school regularly until they reach age 16.

Under law, the School Committee of each city must enforce the school attendance of all children of compulsory school age residing therein.

LEGAL REFS.: M.G.L. 15:1G and 76:1