TK Transitional Kindergarten » TK Transitional Kindergarten

TK Transitional Kindergarten

TK Transitional Kindergarten

In the state of California, all 4-year-olds will eventually become eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK). Previously, only children turning five years old between September 2nd to December 2nd were eligible for TK.

Starting in the 2022-23 school year, TK eligibility will expand the age requirements for TK. Each year, the window for eligibility widens by two more months. By the 2025-26 school year, all 4-year-olds can attend Cressey Elementary. More information about Universal TK is below. For the 2024-2025 School year, students must turn five by June 2, 2025, to qualify for TK enrollment.

Q. What is Transitional Kindergarten (TK)?
A. TK is for students who are not age-appropriate to begin kindergarten. This was first dictated by the Kindergarten Readiness Act (2010) and then changed by AB 130 (2021). This legislation changed the birthday cut-off day for eligibility to begin kindergarten. Students affected by the changes are eligible to attend TK for one year. Then, the following year, the student would attend regular kindergarten.  

 

Q. What is the birthday cut-off date for regular kindergarten?
A. A child who turns five years old on or before September 1 of that year attends regular Kindergarten. 

Q. Is my child eligible to attend TK? 
A. A child will be admitted into TK for the 2022-23 school year if they have their 5th birthday between September 2 and February 2. See the chart below for the school year and when more birthday months become eligible. 

SCHOOL YEAR

BIRTH MONTHS QUALIFYING FOR TK
2021-22 (since 2014) September 2 - December 2
2022-23 September 2 - February 2
2023-24 September 2 - April 2
2024-25 September 2 - June 2
2025-26 September 2 - September 1
2026-27 and on Remains September 2 - September 1

 

Q. Is TK mandatory?
A. No. TK nor kindergarten is a mandatory grade. However, children who attend TK & Kindergarten are more likely to thrive in school academically and socio-emotionally as they enter 1st grade.