Transitional Kindergarten

ELIGIBILITY: Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is designed for students who turn 5 years old between September 2 and April 2 for the 2023-24 school year and between September 2 and June 2 for the 2024-2025 school year. For the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, students who turn 5 between September 2 and September 2nd of the following school year will be eligible for TK. TK is ideal for students who may benefit from an enriched foundational early childhood education program to prepare them for success in traditional Kindergarten.  Pursuant to law, EC 48000(c)

SCHOOL SITES 

For the 2024-2025 school year, all neighborhood schools will offer transitional kindergarten. To find your neighborhood school, please visit pusd.us/findmyschool. 

Families may also submit an Open Enrollment application to request one of their preferred schools or a dual language immersion program. Mandarin Immersion TK will be offered at Field Elementary, and Spanish immersion TK will be offered at Jackson Elementary and Longfellow Elementary. 

Families who are enrolling for the 2023-24 school year may contact the Office of Enrollment to request a nearby TK program.  

Transitional Kindergarten means the student will be in a Kindergarten program for two years. Students attend transitional kindergarten for one year; after that, they go to kindergarten.

For kindergarten the following year, promoting transitional kindergarten students may:
(1) opt to continue in the same school/program*
(2) register to attend kindergarten at their assigned neighborhood school, or
(3) apply via lottery during Open Enrollment for another PUSD campus or program.

All students transitioning from preschool must follow the new student application and enrollment process to enter transitional kindergarten or kindergarten.  

The Benefits of Transitional Kindergarten

• Children are better prepared to succeed.
• Families have an additional option to ensure their children enter kindergarten with the maturity, confidence and skills they need to excel.
• Schools benefit because children will be better prepared to succeed academically and less likely to be placed in special education or held back in later grades. 

As a Parent, What Do I Need to Know?

• Transitional Kindergarten is taught by credentialed teachers from the K-12 system, which now includes Transitional Kindergarten.
• Transitional Kindergarten is part of the public school system and free for families. 
• ENROLLMENT: Contact the Office of Enrollment for TK locations with available spaces for the 2022-23 school year, or visit the Open Enrollment page for information on enrollment for the 2023-24 school year.   

Is there an after-school program for Transitional Kindergarten?

Pasadena LEARNs serves students in grades K-8. Transitional Kindergarten students may participate in the program if space is available. Contact the LEARNs Site Coordinator at your child's school for more information. Click here to find out more about LEARNs.