Transitional Kindergarten
Transitional Kindergarten
Sacramento City Unified will expand its transitional kindergarten to 45 locations for the 2025-2026 school year.
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is a stepping stone between preschool and kindergarten. The optional program provides students with an additional year of preparation, so they enter kindergarten with stronger academic, social, and emotional skills needed for future success in school.
Eligibility
Please carefully read the age eligibility requirements below. Sacramento City Unified strictly follows California Education Code on age eligibility for entry to Transitional Kindergarten.
2024-2025 School Year
If your child turns five years of age on or between September 2, 2024 to June 2, 2025 (born on or between Sept. 2, 2019 and June 2, 2020), you may only enroll in TK.
2025-2026 School Year
All children who turn four by September 1, 2025 are eligible for TK.
TK Class Details
Transitional Kindergarten provides a developmentally appropriate curriculum that helps young learners build the skills needed for kindergarten and beyond. The program focuses on academic, social, and emotional development through play-based learning and introduces State Common Core Standards to prepare students for future grades.
The program runs for 3 hours and 20 minutes each day. For the 2025-2026 school year, class sizes will be limited to 20 students, with a teacher and an instructional aide.
Enrollment Timeline
Transitional Kindergarten Lottery
- Application Period: January 13, 2025, 8:00 AM – February 21, 2025, 5:00 PM
- Families residing within district boundaries can apply through SchoolMint and select up to two choices.
- Lottery Results: Families will be notified of their placement on March 10, 2025.
- Visit the TK Lottery website for more information
Additional Enrollment Options:
- Families who do not apply through the TK Lottery can apply through regular registration starting on May 19, 2025 subject to available spots across the district.
- Due to the unprecedented number of applications submitted to the TK Lottery, district permit requests will not be available for Transitional Kindergarten at this time.
School Choice
Enter your address into School Finder to find your neighborhood school and/or the closest TK program.
Visit a School
Attend visitation events or call schools directly to schedule a tour of the location(s) your family is interested in.
Immunization Requirements
California schools are required to check immunization records for all new student admissions at TK/Kindergarten through 12th grade. Parent/guardians must show their child’s Immunization Record as proof of immunization. Families will be required to upload their student’s Immunization Record as part of the registration process.
Parents’ Guide to Immunizations | Spanish | Hmong | Chinese | Russian | Vietnamese | Farsi
SCUSD is also offering free Immunization Clinics to eligible students. See Immunization Clinic schedule.
Before & After School Care
Families who are interested in having their TK student in Sac City Unified’s Expanded Learning (before and after school) program is accepting applications now. Learn more and apply.
You can reach out to Expanded Learning coordinator at the school site for more information or contact Youth Development Support Services at (916) 643-7919.
Questions
The Early Learning and Care Dept. can answer general questions about the Transitional Kindergarten and the curriculum at (916) 643-7801.
The Enrollment Center can answer questions about TK enrollment at (916) 643-2400.