Transitional Kindergarten (TK)

Transitional kindergarten (TK) is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate. Pursuant to law, (EC 48000[c]), a child is eligible for transitional kindergarten if a child will have his or her fifth birthday on or after September 2 through December 2 of the school year in which they wish to be enrolled.

Expanded Transitional Kindergarten (ETK)

The goal of Expanded Transitional Kindergarten (ETK) is to provide the Transitional Kindergarten experience to underrepresented/socioeconomically disadvantaged children. ETK is designed for students who turn 5 years old after December 2, and before the last day, of the school year in which they wish to be enrolled. Family residency within the District boundary is a pre-requisite.

Registration for the 2020-2021 ETK program school year is now closed. Registration for the 2021-2022 ETK program will open in January 2021.

In March 2019, the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education approved the Expanded Transitional Kindergarten program (ETK) to include historically underrepresented/socioeconomically disadvantaged students, who turn five after December 2, and before the last day, of the school year in which they wish to be enrolled.

For the 2020-2021 school year, this includes children that were born after December 2, 2015 and before June 3, 2016. Registrations submitted to the PAUSD Registration Services office (25 Churchill Ave) will be reviewed for qualification under any one of the following criteria:

  • Students where both parents have not received a high school diploma
  • Students who are, or will be, eligible for the Free or Reduced-Priced Meal (FRPM) Program (also known as the National School Lunch Program)
  • Students who are migrant, homeless, or foster youth

To enroll your child in the Expanded Transitional Kindergarten program, please review the Advantages and Disadvantages of Early Kindergarten Admittance, and then follow the process outlined on the Registration Page. Enrollment will be based upon a space-available basis.