Transitional kindergarten, often referred to as TK, is a free public school program for 4-year-olds who turn 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2.  It is essentially an extra public school grade that began in 2012 and is designed to be a bridge between preschool and kindergarten. Children who are enrolled in transitional kindergarten can enroll in a regular kindergarten class the following year. Although there is no mandated curriculum, transitional kindergarten is modeled on a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate.

The Empire Union School District (EUSD) has flexibility with how to implement curriculum, but the California Department of Education (CDE) states that transitional kindergarten is meant to closely follow guidelines developed by the CDE.  EUSD uses those guidelines as a foundation for instruction.

Transitional kindergarten is an optional program and is not mandatory in California. It is up to parents to decide whether to enroll their children in preschool or transitional kindergarten.  Transitional kindergarten is a part of California’s K-12 public school system and children can attend at no cost. EUSD receives funding for TK and K-12 students based on average daily attendance, which is the average number of students in attendance over the course of the school year.

The Empire Union School District hosts three (3) transitional kindergarten classes throughout the district.  EUSD elementary schools which host a transitional kindergarten class are Capistrano Elementary, Hughes Elementary, and Stroud Elementary.  To enroll your child in an EUSD transitional kindergarten, please contact the front office at your child’s home school.