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PRE-KINDERGARTEN (TK)

Formerly known as Transitional Kindergarten

Early Childhood Learning Logo Pre-Kindergarten IUSD

 

In Irvine Unified School District, we believe the goal of our Early Childhood Learning Programs is to promote a joy of learning in a positive and nurturing environment.  This will create critical thinkers, effective oral communicators, and life-long learners.  In partnership with parents, we will provide intentional opportunities that meet the emotional, social, physical, and academic needs of all learners.  Early Childhood Learning Programs include Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten (formerly known as Transitional Kindergarten) and Kindergarten.

Enrollment for the current year is ongoing.

Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year will begin on March 6, 2026.  

A parent meeting will be hosted by each elementary school on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Please visit your assigned neighborhood elementary school's website for the time.

Click on one of + signs below for more information.

Pre-Kindergarten (PK) has replaced our program formerly known as Transitional Kindergarten (TK). This change has happened gradually over the past few years, expanding the age eligibility range each year for children to enroll in IUSD's PK program.  IUSD will serve the educational needs of all 4 year-olds by the 2025-26 school year and beyond.

School YearPK EligibleKindergarten Eligible
2024-25Birthdate 09/02/2019 - 06/02/2020Birthdate 09/02/2018 - 09/01/20219
2025-26Birthdate 09/02/2020 - 09/01/2021Birthdate 09/02/2019 - 09/01/2020
2026-27Birthdate 09/02/2021 - 09/01/2022Birthdate 09/02/2020 - 09/01/2021
2027-28Birthdate 09/02/2022 - 09/01/2023Birthdate 09/02/2021 - 09/01/2022

A parent meeting will be hosted by each elementary school on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Please visit your assigned neighborhood elementary school's website for the time.

Prior to the event on March 6th, we ask that all parents watch IUSD’s Welcome to PK & Kindergarten Parent Information Presentation and review the electronic resources below.

The age requirement for Pre-Kindergarten (PK), formerly known as Transitional Kindergarten includes all children who turn 4 years of age on or before September 2.

 Click Here for the Flyer

View Additional Information Below:

Enrollment for the current year is ongoing. 

  1. Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year will begin on March 6, 2026.  You can enroll through the IUSD's online enrollment process. Students who meet the age eligibility requirements will automatically be enrolled in PK.

  2. To access the health documents necessary for enrollment, click on the link:

  3. Once the enrollment has been completed, your assigned school will process it and contact you once it has been finalized.  This may take a few weeks if you are enrolling for the 2026-27 school year.  Please visit your assigned school's website for additional information.

  4. If your assigned neighborhood school site does not offer PK (TK) or if the class is full, your child will be placed at the closest site that has space availability.

Please note: If your student is enrolled at ECLC, you do not complete the online portion of the enrollment.  Simply bring the enrollment documents to your school site.

 

Over the last five years, Pre-Kindergarten (PK) replaced our previous program known as Transitional Kindergarten (TK). This change gradually phased to include all 4 year-olds by the 2025-26 school year.

Historically, TK has served as the first year of a two year Kindergarten program.  PK will represent a true bridge between Preschool and Kindergarten.  PK is taught by a credentialed teacher with early childhood expertise, utilizing a unique specialized curriculum that is aligned with the Preschool Learning Foundations and Kindergarten Common Core standards.  PK instruction is explicitly designed to support the range of social-emotional, physical, and academic needs of developing four year-olds. The PK environment will include many opportunities for fine and gross-motor activities, oral language development, and social-emotional learning. IUSD's PK program prioritizes intentional teaching that is hands-on and child-centered,  purposeful structured play, and small-group instruction.

PK will provide our youngest learners with a strong foundation for school readiness so that students enter Kindergarten prepared to learn and thrive!

PK (TK)  will be offered at the following sites:

Serving the Northern Area: Beacon Park, Brywood, Cadence Park, Canyon View, Cypress Village, Eastwood, Loma Ridge, Northwood, Portola Springs, Santiago Hills, Solis Park, Stonegate and Woodbury (Year Round Schedule)

Serving the Central Area:  College Park, Culverdale, Deerfield, Eastshore, Greentree, Meadow Park, Oak Creek, Plaza Vista (Year Round Schedule) , Springbrook, Stone Creek and Westpark (Year Round Schedule)

Serving the Southern Area: Alderwood, Bonita Canyon, Turtle Rock and University Park

Sites are designated (upon completion of enrollment) based on assigned neighborhood school and space availability.

*Due to the expansion of the program, sites can be added and/or changed for the 2025-26 school year.

  • IUSD's Continuum of Standards: This is IUSD's continuum of standards that outlines the bridge between the Preschool Learning Foundations and the Kindergarten Common Core Standards.  It is a roadmap for the standards taught - acknowledging the progression of skill development along the continuum.
  • California Learning Foundations: The Foundations provide an overview of the key knowledge and skills that most preschool children can achieve when provided with interaction, instruction, and an environment that is based on the research of early experiences shown to promote early learning and development.

What is the difference between PK (formally TK) and Kindergarten?
The Pre-Kindergarten classroom will provide a developmentally appropriate thematic-based curriculum. The curriculum is a hybrid between the California Preschool Learning Foundations and the California Common Core Standards for Kindergarten. Students in the PK program will be provided a program that will bridge their early childhood experiences to those of the public school system.
 

Is my child required to go to a PK class if their birthday falls within the cutoff date?
No, it is an optional program for families.
 

Can my child enter kindergarten if they are eligible for the PK class?
No, students must turn 5 on or before September 1st to enter kindergarten.
 

Where will the PK classes be held?
The classes will be held at elementary school sites within IUSD. Sites are located regionally and designated (upon completion of enrollment) based on assigned neighborhood school and space availability.
 

If the PK class is not offered at my child's neighborhood school, where will they go?
Based on space availability, they will go to the PK classroom at the school closest to your child's neighborhood school. Please keep in mind this is a one year program; your child will return to their assigned neighborhood school the following school year.
 

Which school will my child attend for kindergarten if they go to a different school for PK?
Your child will still go to their assigned neighborhood school for kindergarten, unless you choose to pursue IUSD's Intradistrict/School Choice option and follow those procedures.
 

Will there be transportation to the schools offering PK classes?
No, again, PK is not compulsory, and transportation would be cost-prohibitive. It is the parents' responsibility to transport their children to their PK program.
 

Can my child participate in PK if his/her birthday is in August?
IUSD’s PK program is designed for children who turn four years old between September 2 and September 1 of the following year. Children with August birthdays will be five years old by the start of the school year and are therefore eligible for Kindergarten, not PK.

To learn more about Universal PK (Transitional Kindergarten), please visit:

For more information on before/after school care, please visit the City of Irvine at: