Current date functions in Math Expression

I'm trying to add a math expression that includes the current date, but am striking out. Will I need to build a custom module for this or is it possible within Views? Basically I'm making a database of students and would like to have their grade level change automatically from year to year. If I store their graduation year, then I'd like to have an expression calculated the grade level. I'm striking out when trying to include time(). As a test, without any expression I place time() in the Expression box, but get an output of 0. Does this need to be in a particular format? Ideally I need to have it come up with the current year and the current month.