Transitional Kindergarten

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN IN OUR DISTRICT?

A child is eligible for Transitional Kindergarten if he or she will have his or her fifth birthday between September 2 and February 2.

Board Policies/ Administrative Regulations/ Resolutions - BP 6170.1 Transitional Kindergarten

WHAT IS TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN?

A transitional kindergarten is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate.

Transitional kindergarten (TK) is an opportunity to provide the early foundations for school success for those children turning 5 years old between September and February. The first year of a two-year kindergarten experience, transitional kindergarten provides a bridge between preschool and traditional kindergarten. Some districts in California have had similar programs in place for a number of years; others have started early implementation of these programs. Transitional kindergarten provides an important opportunity to give our youngest kindergarteners a better start in school. More information on TK can be found on the California Department of Education’s website and the Transitional Kindergarten website.

WHICH SCHOOLS OFFER TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN?

Starting in the 2022-23 school year, all elementary schools within Santa Barbara Unified will have transitional kindergarten, with a 12-to-1 student-to-adult ratio. Most classes will have near 20 students, with two adults.

OUTSIDE SOURCES

When Should a Kid Start Kindergarten? NYTimes.com article, Elizabeth Weil, June 3, 2007

Transitional Kindergarten FAQs – Elementary (California Department of Education)