Transitional Kindergarten, or “TK,” is the first year of a two-year Kindergarten program. Students who turn five from September 2nd through December 2nd of that school year qualify for the TK program. Emphasis is placed on providing rich and interactive experiences, reading, writing, listening, speaking, mathematics, science, social studies, visual and performing arts, health, physical education, social-emotional development, and English Language Development. TK’s instruction is based on bridging the Common Core State Standards with the California Preschool Curriculum Framework and Preschool Learning Foundations which allow TK students to ultimately meet the Kindergarten Common Core State Standards by the end of their two year program. Daily instruction is balanced between teacher-guided instruction and child-initiated experiences, such as in hands-on explorations, interactive centers, and small group collaborations. TK is the gift of time—more time for each individual to be better prepared for Kindergarten, socially and emotionally more mature, and able to master all the standards by the end of the two year program.
