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Early Childhood Education

CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

An unwavering commitment to student success

TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN

 
Capistrano Unified School District began offering the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program in the fall of 2012, as an outcome of the SB1381 legislation or the Kindergarten Readiness Act 2010. Transitional Kindergarten is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program Currently, Transitional Kindergarten is offered at all of our elementary school campuses.
 
Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the age requirement for Transitional Kindergarten includes children who turn 4 years old on or by September 1st. 
 
Children who turn 5 years old on or by September 1st are eligible for Kindergarten. However, children who turn 5 years old between June 1st and September 1st may apply for TK. According to current CUSD Board Policy (BP 6170.1(a)): Upon the request of a student's parents/guardians, the District may admit into the TK program a child whose fifth birthday is between June 1st and September 1st. Requests may be made by parents/guardians by submitting an Intent to Register in Transitional Kindergarten form. Requests will be considered only after TK numbers are confirmed for the coming school year.
 
Currently, the District will not admit a child who does not meet the minimum age requirements for TK; for children who are too young for TK, enrollment in one of the Early Childhood Programs' preschool classes is currently recommended. 
Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK)

Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK)

What is UTK? 
In July 2021, Governor Newson signed AB 131, which adopts Universal TK by 2025-26. The following depicts a breakdown of the requirements for Districts to implement. The phase-in model begins in the 2022-23 school year with following age eligibility for children enrolling in Transitional Kindergarten:
  • 2022-23: 5th birthday between September 2 - February 2 
  • 2023-24: 5th birthday between September 2 – April 2
  • 2024-25: 5th birthday between September 2 – June 2
  • 2025-26: 4th birthday by September 1st (UTK in place)
 
Required Average Ratio: 
      • 1 adult: 12 students
      • *Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the ratio will be 1 adult to 10 students
 
Class Sizes for TK:
Transitional Kindergarten class enrollment should not be more than 24 students for each TK classroom, 12 students per session.
 
 
 
Want more TK Information? Check out information from the TK informational Webinar on january 8, 2025:

Want more TK Information? Check out information from the TK informational Webinar on january 8, 2025:

To view the recording of the presentation, please click below:
 
To view a copy of the presentation (with live links), please click below: