Transitional Kindergarten

Transitional Kindergarten

Overview

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. 

To be eligible to register for Transitional Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year, children must turn four years old on or before September 1, 2025.

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 via the District Permit Process from April 7-25, 2025, or through regular registration starting on May 19, 2025.
  • Both options will be subject to available spots across the district.

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 can register in Spring 2025. You can reach out to Youth Development Support Services at (916) 643-7919 if you have any questions.

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.