Transitional kindergarten (TK) bridges the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten years. It is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that has been implemented in California for children who are not old enough yet for kindergarten but want to build their social, developmental, and academic skills. TK does not replicate preschool or kindergarten.

TK classrooms are taught by a multiple-subject credentialed teacher with the support of an aide with early childhood training and the TK curriculum is based on a combination of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and the Kindergarten Common Core Standards. TK is offered at select WCCUSD Elementary schools.

For the 2024-2025 school year, TK is for students who turn 5 between September 2, 2024 and June 2, 2025. (California law requires that children be age 5 on or before September 1 of the school year to be eligible for kindergarten, and age 6 on or before September 1 of the school year to be eligible for first grade.) See the age chart below. Eligibility for TK will continue to expand until all 4-year-olds are eligible in 2025-2026.

No. Children must turn 5 on or before June 2, 2025 to attend TK. Assessments are not used to determine TK enrollment eligibility.

TK is not a mandatory grade. Families with students who turn 5 between September 2nd, 2024 and June 2nd, 2025 have the option to enroll in TK or keep their child in preschool.

TK is offered at select WCCUSD elementary schools.

2024-2025 TK Sites

Our enrollment process is all online. The online enrollment application and forms are available on the West Contra Costa Unified School District website at: www.wccusd.net/newfamilyenrollment

TK sets the stage for learning through inquiry, exploration, and problem solving while introducing children to grade-level content standards. The teacher and peers nurture language development through interactions and conversation. The environment promotes independence, social-emotional skills, and self-regulation that are essential for a successful entry into Kindergarten.

TK is a bridge from Preschool to Kindergarten. It does not replace kindergarten. The program uses the California Preschool Learning Foundations to lay a solid educational foundation and prepare our youngest learners for future academic success.

The initial 2024-25 TK enrollment window will run from January 16, 2024 through February 9, 2024. Completed online enrollment applications must be submitted by February 9, 2024 to be included in the first round of confirmation of space at the resident school site. Placement is on a first-come, first-served basis; if space is not available at your resident school, a neighboring site will be assigned. We continue to accept TK enrollment applications after February 9, 204, with site assignments made according to space available.

Efforts will be made to assign eligible TK students to their resident school. In the event that the resident school’s TK program is impacted and space is not available, students will be offered TK placement at a neighboring school.