Transitional Kindergarten

What is Transitional Kindergarten (TK)?

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 classrooms are taught by a multiple-subject credentialed teacher and the TK curriculum is based on the California Preschool Learning Foundations and the Kindergarten Common Core Standards. TK is offered at Banta Elementary and Banta Charter

Is Transitional Kindergarten mandatory?

No, even if a child is TK eligible, parents have a choice of whether they want to enroll their child in TK or preschool. 

Who is eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK)?

According to a new state law more children will be eligible for TK starting with the 2022-2023 school year. Starting with the 2022-23 school year, all school districts in California, including , will be required by state law to expand their Transitional Kindergarten (TK) classrooms until all 4 year olds are eligible for TK by 2025-26.

For the 2022-23 school year, TK is for students who will be turning age 5 between September 2, 2022 and February 2, 2023. (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.)

Students who complete TK will be required to apply for kindergarten the following year.

Questions?

For more information on TK including eligibility for upcoming school years please contact the Banta Unified School District at 209-229-4651.