Transitional Kindergarten

Transitional Kindergarten — or TK, as it's commonly called — is a developmentally appropriate early childhood education program designed for children who are age-eligible for Kindergarten (5 years old) but may need an extra year of development before they are ready for Kindergarten. Transitional Kindergarten creates an academic setting with a focus on social-emotional growth, language development, and foundational skills. It gives children additional space and time to further develop the necessary social and academic skills to thrive in Kindergarten.

Students will be introduced to Kindergarten-level math, literacy, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning at an appropriate pace to develop their readiness skills.  Students will also have “specials” such as art, music, library, physical education, and  guidance. 

TK meets five full days a week and follows the same school year calendar as our kindergarten students. 

Kindergarten standards, assessment, and reporting activities will be applied the same way in TK as in all other Kindergarten classrooms. However, the pace, focus, and experiences will be adjusted. Additionally, TK promotes self-confidence and independence in students and spends more time on social-emotional development and purposeful play activities.

There are many reasons you might choose to enroll your child in TK rather than Kindergarten. Students with summer birthdays, for example, may benefit from additional time. Students with little-to-no previous structured learning experiences might also benefit. You should also consider the academic and social-emotional development of your child before deciding if TK is a good fit.  

To be eligible, students must be age 5 on-or-before Sept. 15 of the fall school year.

Additional Considerations:

• Does your child turn 5 years old between May 15 and Sept. 15?
• What other learning experiences in a structured setting has your child had?
• Does your child manage feelings and impulses with self-control?
• Can your student demonstrate confidence in meeting their own needs?
• Does your child initiate, join in, and sustain positive interactions with peers?
   

Your child will learn through a mix of structured activities and play, including:

• Modified adjusted pace of learning 
• Social-emotional skills (sharing, following directions, working in groups)
• Early literacy skills
• Early math skills
• Fine and gross motor development
• Classroom routines and independence 
   

No, TK is optional. However, it can be a valuable step in your child’s educational journey, especially for those who may benefit from extra time to grow socially, emotionally, and academically before entering Kindergarten.
 

YES! TK is the first year of a two-year Kindergarten experience. After completing TK, your child will attend Kindergarten in their home building the following year. If your child is meeting Kindergarten benchmarks by the end of TK, a meeting will be held to determine if acceleration is an appropriate next step. 

YES! TK is part of the public school system and is free, just like Preschool and Kindergarten.

TK follows the same calendar as Kindergarten. The program meets five full days per week. The difference between TK and Kindergarten is that TK progresses at a modified pace. TK students have access to breakfast, lunch, and related arts just like Kindergarten. Start and end times will mirror K-6 start and end times in that particular elementary school building.

Enrolling in Transitional Kindergarten is a simple part of our standard online Kindergarten registration. To express your interest, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Kindergarten Enrollment page (2026-27 Kindergaten enrollment opens at 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16). 
2. Gather your required documents and click the "Enroll Your New Kindergartener!" button
3. Select "Yes" when asked if you are interested in Transitional Kindergarten

Placement & Space Availability

Space is limited and placement in the TK program isn't guaranteed. Our program is hosted at Crestview School of Inquiry and Hillside Elementary. To ensure we serve students who will benefit most from the TK experience, we prioritize placement based on the following criteria: 

• Neighborhood Priority: Students who live in the Crestview and Hillside attendance areas
• Age & Experience: Students with late birthdays (typically between May 15 and Sept. 15) or those who have not yet attended a preschool program
• Districtwide Access: All other WDMCS students are eligible for remaining spots based on the timestamp of their application 

Important Dates to Remember

• April: Our team begins an initial review of interested families
• May: Placement begins for students residing outside the Crestview and Hillside attendance areas
• Waitlist: If interest exceeds our available classroom space, we will maintain a waiting list and notify families as spots become available. 

Students who reside within the boundaries of Crestview School of Inquiry and Hillside Elementary will follow normal transportation procedures. Families who reside outside the boundaries of Crestview and Hillside will need to provide their own transportation. 

YES! Students in the TK program who live outside of the Crestview and Hillside attendance areas will return to their neighborhood school for Kindergarten.