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Oakland Unified School District

Transitional Kindergarten

Overview and Eligibility

What is Transitional Kindergarten (TK)?

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is a full day class offered at several schools in OUSD. For the 2024-25 school year, children are eligible if they have a birthdate between September 2, 2019 and June 1, 2020. For the 2025-26 school year, children are eligible if they have a birthdate between September September 2, 2020 and September 1, 2021. Students who are younger than this age range should attend a preschool program. Students who are older than this, should attend kindergarten, unless they have a documented Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that specifically calls for retention in TK.

TK teachers are credentialed with specialized training in teaching young children. Aligned with the California Common Core Standards for kindergarten, instruction focuses on all areas of child development, including social emotional, literacy and math foundations, as well as fine and gross motor skills. TK classrooms are nurturing environments where children learn through individual and small group instruction that is hands-on and play-based.

  • Transitional Kindergarten students will automatically continue to kindergarten the following year. Families do not need to re-enroll for kindergarten unless they wish to change schools.

How do I apply?

Parents of future TK students should participate in the OUSD enrollment process and apply during enrollment season, typically between December and February for the school year starting the following fall.

Visit ChooseOUSD.org

Where is TK offered?

TK programs are available at most OUSD elementary schools. Families of TK eligible students residing in neighborhoods with schools that do not offer TK are encouraged to look nearby.

TK programs are available at the following school sites:

Allendale
Bella Vista
Bridges Academy
Brookfield
Burbank
Burkhalter
Carl B. Munck
Chabot (located at Kaiser ECE)
Cleveland
Crocker (located at Kaiser ECE)
Emerson
EnCompass
Esperanza
Fruitvale
Franklin
Garfield
Glenview
Global Family
Grass Valley
Greenleaf
Highland Community School
Hillcrest (located at Kaiser ECE)
Hoover
Horace Mann
International Community School
Joaquin Miller
Korematsu Discovery Academy
La Escuelita
Laurel
Lincoln
Lockwood STEAM Academy
Madison Park Primary
Manzanita Community
Manzanita SEED
Markham
MLK
Melrose Leadership Academy
Montclair
Oakland Academy of Knowledge (OAK)
Peralta
Piedmont Avenue Elementary
Prescott
Reach Academy
Redwood Heights (located at Hintil CDC)
Sankofa United
Sequoia
Think College Now
Thornhill

Which grade should I choose for my kiddo?

Pre-K

Born between September 2, 2019 to December 1, 2021

Apply for preschool at one of our 28 child development centers.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Born between September 2, 2019 to June 1, 2020

Apply for transitional kindergarten at one of our 47 elementary schools.

Kindergarten (K)

Born between September 2, 2018 to September 1, 2019

Apply for kindergarten at one of our 49 elementary schools.

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