Transitional Kindergarten FAQ's
Q: Where will the TK program be for the 2024-25 school year?
A: There will be two TK classes at Lexington, and two to three TK classes at Blossom Hill (depending upon enrollment).
Q: Why is TK expanding in LGUSD?
A: In 2021, legislation was passed that requires any local education agency (LEA) operating a kindergarten to also provide a Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program for all four-year-old children by 2025–26. The 2024-25 school year will be the third year of the four year expansion plan developed by the state of California.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for TK?
A: Students residing within the LGUSD attendance boundaries who turn 5 between September 2nd, 2024 and June 2nd, 2025 are eligible to register for TK for the 2024-25 school year.
Q: What curriculum will the TK program utilize?
A: There is no state adopted TK curriculum. The LGUSD TK program implements a thoughtfully designed curriculum providing a bridge between the California Preschool Foundational Skills and the California Kindergarten Common Core Standards. The TK curriculum in English Language Arts will focus on foundational literacy including concepts about print, phonemic awareness, and developing a love of reading. In math, students will focus on number concepts, comparing and ordering numbers, geometry, problem solving and mathematical thinking. TK classes also have Spanish, art, science, social studies, music and PE.
Q. What are the hours for the TK program?
A: The school hours are 8:10am to 1:30pm
Q: Why is TK only offered at Blossom Hill and Lexington?
A:. As we expand the program we will have two TK “hubs” which provide increased opportunities for children to build friendships and relationships with peers, provide a safe, age-appropriate environment for our youngest learners, and allow for daily collaboration and planning opportunities for the teachers, which have been instrumental in student success in our current TK program. We do not currently have capacity at all schools for TK.
Q: How will TK placement be determined for the Lexington and Blossom Hill TK programs?
A: All families registering for TK will indicate their site preference (Lexington or Blossom Hill). In the event demand exceeds capacity at either site, those who register between February 5th and February 29th will be entered into a lottery to determine which site they will attend. Any student enrolled on or after March 1st will be placed as space allows.
Q: When will I find out where my child will attend TK?
A: Families will be notified of their child’s TK placement the week of March 4th.
Q: What if I don’t get my first choice location?
A: We will maintain a waitlist. Families will be notified if/when a spot becomes available at their preferred location.
Q: Will I have to re-enroll my student for kindergarten?
A: After attending TK in 2024-25, students will automatically be enrolled in their home school for kindergarten in 2025-26.
Q: Can my child remain at Blossom Hill or Lexington for kindergarten?
A: Families may apply for an intradistrict transfer in February of 2025 if they would like to remain at the school at which their child attends TK. Transfers will be approved based on availability.
Q: What is the long-term plan for TK in LGUSD
A: The 2024-25 school year will be the third year of the four year roll out plan developed by the state to expand the TK program. As eligibility expands, we will place classes where appropriate based on enrollment. Our long-term goal is to have at least one TK class at every school (contingent upon adequate enrollment).
Q: What is the difference between the Lexington and Blossom Hill programs?
A: Both programs will teach the concepts outlined above. They will follow the same extended day schedule. Both sites offer after school care through the Clubhouse program. Both programs will provide ample time for purposeful play and free exploration. Lexington School offers the International Baccalaureate Early Years Program. As such, the Lexington TK program will teach to the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile, while the Blossom Hill program will teach the LGUSD Student Success Profile.