Transitional Kindergarten FAQ's

What is Transitional Kindergarten?
Transitional Kindergarten, also known as TK is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate. TK is a stepping stone between preschool and kindergarten. Both TK and kindergarten are entirely optional. Children are only required to attend school in California once they turn 6. Until that age, it is up to parents to decide whether to enroll their children in preschool or transitional kindergarten or other child care arrangements or keep them at home

 

Who is age-eligible for Transitional Kindergarten?
As of the 2025-26 school year, Local Education Agencies (LEA's) are required to make TK available to all children who will have their fourth birthday by September 1 of that school year.

 

               Student's Birth Date                                                   Eligible School Year

September 2, 2020 - September 1, 2021 ………… Eligible for TK in the 2025-26 school year
September 2, 2021 - September 1, 2022 ………… Eligible for TK in the 2026-27 school year
September 2, 2022 - September 1, 2023 ………… Eligible for TK in the 2027-28 school year
September 2, 2023 - September 1, 2024 ………… Eligible for TK in the 2028-29 school year
September 2, 2024 - September 1, 2025 ………… Eligible for TK in the 2029-30 school year
September 2, 2025 - September 1, 2026 ………… Eligible for TK in the 2030-31 school year

Are my children required to attend Transitional Kindergarten and/or Kindergarten?
No. Since school is mandatory for six-year-old students, parents and guardians must enroll their children in school once they reach the age of six (EC Section 48200). For first grade enrollment, California law requires a child to be six-years-old on or before September 1 to be legally eligible for first grade (EC Section 48010).

 

Is Transitional Kindergarten a full-day or a half-day program?
Our TK program is currently half-day and runs on the same AM/PM schedule as Kindergarten.

 

AM - 8:10AM to 11:50AM
PM - 11:20AM to 3:00PM

 

Is Transitional Kindergarten offered at each elementary school?
Yes. Currently La Canada Elementary, Paradise Canyon Elementary and Palm Crest Elementary offer TK. The number of available AM/PM classes may vary by site.

 

What Immunizations are required for Transitional Kindergarten?
By law, children in California are required to receive certain immunizations in order to attend public and private elementary and secondary schools. Schools are required to enforce immunization requirements and maintain immunization records of all children enrolled. Documentation of these immunizations or a valid CAIR-ME medical exemption are required prior to admission to Transitional Kindergarten. More information can be found here.