Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Our district offers a full-day Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program.

For the 2026-2027 school year,

the program is available to children who turn four years old by September 1, 2026.

Enrollment is open of the 2026-27 school year.

Please read all of the information below before enrolling your child in TK.

What is TK?

California TK is considered the first year of a two-year Kindergarten program and focuses on the California Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations.

California’s Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Foundations describe what young children typically learn and are able to do before entering kindergarten. These standards are designed to support the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—through hands-on, play-based learning.

In TK and preschool, children build important skills in areas such as:

Language & Literacy: listening, speaking, early reading, and storytelling
Mathematics: counting, shapes, patterns, and problem-solving
Social-Emotional Development: sharing, cooperating, and managing feelings
Physical Development: coordination, movement, and fine motor skills (like writing)
Cognitive Development: thinking, exploring, and learning through curiosity

Teachers use these standards as a guide to create engaging, age-appropriate activities that help children grow at their own pace.

Learning in TK is not about tests or pressure—it’s about building a strong foundation, confidence, and a love of learning.

Families play an important role by supporting learning at home through reading, talking, playing, and encouraging curiosity every day.

The district has TK located on all nine elementary sites and IVHSA.

TK eligible students needing additional support per their IEP in our SDC TK classrooms attend classes at sites with TK SDC classrooms.

Our Dual Immersion (DI) TK classroom is at Harding Elementary. Please note: Students must apply for the DI program and be accepted to be enrolled in this class. Please apply by contacting the principal.

All TK classrooms are capped at 10 students for every adult (20 students) and are staffed with a certificated teacher and full-time instructional assistant.

Transitional Kindergarten is a voluntary program and families may choose to participate in education for their four-year olds with our school district or other pre-school programs in the county for which they are eligible.

All TK students may also participate in our after school program (ELOP) until 6:00 pm.

If you have a child who is eligible for TK, you can register them online during open enrollment. If you have questions regarding TK, you may ask at your neighborhood school, or call the Educational Services Department at 760-352-5712 extension 8524.