Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Transitional kindergarten is a bridge between preschool and kindergarten that gives children an opportunity to learn important academic and social skills in a hands-on way that supports their development. Instruction focuses on literacy and numeracy, along with a strong emphasis on self-regulation and social engagement. Transitional kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn in an enriching and academically challenging environment that nurtures their growth. Research shows that children who attend kindergarten readiness programs like transitional kindergarten are more likely to do well in school and to attend college.

Transitional kindergarten is a five day a week, full-day program, similar to the grades 1-6 instructional day. Students will work with a fully-credentialed teacher trained in early childhood development.

More information can be found in our TK Parent Information Presentation / Presentación de Kínder de Transición 

California’s kindergarten standards and curriculum have changed over the years, and many of the skills children were once taught in first grade are now expected in kindergarten. Transitional kindergarten allows families to give their children the gift of time to develop at their own pace and continue building the social, emotional, and academic skills that will help them succeed in elementary school.

Many children who enter kindergarten…

• show interest in books and reading
• can tell and retell familiar stories
• know some songs and rhymes
• can identify some letters (especially those in his/her name)
• use 5-10 word complete sentences
• identify colors, shapes, and numbers 1-10
• can say and sing the alphabet
• can recognize and write their name
• can put together simple puzzles
• are willing to try to complete a task
• understand and follow rules and two step directions
• can sit for short periods of time
• communicate their personal needs
• are independent in their personal care
• will share, play and cooperate with others
• express ideas with drawings
• ask questions about the world around them
• can use crayons, pencil, scissors, and glue appropriately

Students should enroll in their school of residence; if you are choosing to do an Open Enrollment transfer from one district school to another district school, please see the SLCUSD Enrollment/Registration webpage for instructions. All age-eligible students will be accepted into one of our transitional kindergarten sites, however enrollment at a particular site is not guaranteed.

Transitional kindergarten classes are located at the following elementary schools.

• Baywood Elementary*
• Bishop’s Peak Elementary
• Del Mar Elementary
• Hawthorne Elementary
• Los Ranchos Elementary
• Monarch Grove Elementary
• Pacheco Elementary**
• Sinsheimer Elementary
• C.L. Smith Elementary

* The Baywood class will give priority to English Learner students on the coast and siblings of current Baywood students for enrollment. After that, residents living within the Baywood school boundary will have access on a space available basis.

** Only English Learners living in Avila Beach, Spyglass Drive north of Shell Beach and SLO, and siblings of current Pacheco students will be allowed into the Pacheco class. Students should apply at their home school site.

For the 2025-26 school year, children are eligible for TK if they turn 4 on or before September 1, 2025; enrollment for 2025-26 is ongoing. In 2026-27, students turning 4 on or before September 1, 2026 will be eligible to enroll in TK (enrollment starts February 10, 2026). Information and links are available at the SLCUSD Enrollment/Registration webpage. Help is available at sites for families who need assistance completing the online process.

To complete your registration, you will need to provide:

• Residence Verification - Two documents required.  For a full list of acceptable documents, see AR 5111.1 District Residency. 
• Age Verification - Birth certificate preferred. If a birth certificate is not available, see AR 5111 Admission for a list of acceptable documentation. 
• Immunization Records

For more information about the TK program, please contact your school of residence. If you are uncertain which site is your school of residence, please use the School Site Locator.