California Transitional Kindergarten calculator
California's Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program is a free, public extra year before kindergarten for children who turn 5 between September 2 and June 2. Enter your child's birthday to check if they qualify for TK in the 2026–2027 school year.
Select your country and region, then choose the child's date of birth to see their grade and school timeline.
Who qualifies for Transitional Kindergarten in California (2026–27)
California Education Code §48000 established Transitional Kindergarten as a two-year kindergarten program. For the 2026–2027 school year, TK is available to any child who turns 5 between September 2, 2026 and June 2, 2027. Children who turn 5 on or before September 1, 2026 start regular kindergarten. Children who turn 5 after June 2, 2027 are not eligible for TK and will begin kindergarten in fall 2027. TK is free at all California public schools.
TK vs kindergarten: what's the difference?
Transitional Kindergarten uses a modified kindergarten curriculum designed for younger children — more play-based, with smaller class sizes (TK classes are capped at 12 students per teacher as of 2025–26, versus 24 for regular kindergarten). Children who attend TK spend two years before Grade 1: TK, then kindergarten. This gives them an extra year of structured pre-academic development entirely within the public school system, at no cost to families. Research from California's own longitudinal tracking shows TK completers score higher on kindergarten readiness assessments than matched peers who attended private preschool.
How TK affects the K–12 timeline
A child who attends TK then kindergarten enters Grade 1 one year later than a child who went straight to kindergarten at the same age. In practice, a TK student born October 15, 2021 would be in TK in 2026–27, kindergarten in 2027–28, Grade 1 in 2028–29, and would graduate Grade 12 in 2040–41. The calculator above will show this full TK + K–12 timeline if you select California and enter the birth date.
FAQ
What is Transitional Kindergarten (TK)?
TK is a free, public one-year program offered by California school districts for children who turn 5 between September 2 and June 2. It serves as a bridge year between preschool and kindergarten, using a modified curriculum with smaller class sizes.
Is my child eligible for TK in 2026?
For the 2026–2027 school year, children who turn 5 between September 2, 2026 and June 2, 2027 are eligible for TK. Enter your child's exact birthday in the calculator to confirm eligibility.
Is TK mandatory?
No. TK is voluntary. However, it is free and offered at public schools, so most eligible families choose to enroll since it provides an additional structured year of education at no cost.
Does attending TK delay my child's K–12 graduation?
By one year, yes. A TK student completes TK, then kindergarten, then Grades 1–12 — 14 total years before graduation rather than 13. However, research shows TK completers are more academically prepared and have better kindergarten outcomes, which can offset any perceived "delay."