TK options outside of OUSD
My child doesn't quite meet the cutoff date for TK for the 25/26 school year, but I think he could really benefit from the transitional year. I contacted OUSD, and it looks like they are firm on the cutoff date. Are there any alternative TK programs outside of OUSD that accept August birthdays?
Jan 31, 2025
Parent Replies
It has been several years since my kid is older, but when we did TK at OUSD, there were several kids who had July and August birthdays that were in TK. The parents shared that they insisted with the OUSD and the specific school and were allowed to do TK instead of K. Perhaps things have changed. We looked at both OUSD and private programs. We were offered a spot for TK at EBI (Spanish immersion school https://ebinternacional.org/) and Grand Lake Montessori https://www.grandlakemontessori.com/ EBI has a PK/TK program and GLM has a mixed age class for the TK/K age group.
We’re currently doing TK at The Lake School by the Lake. It’s fantastic. Teachers are exceptional and the director is lovely and warm, a very kind parent community. They are now offering full time options for next year (they were part time previously). We love the flexibility of hours, too.
The Little Schools (Rockridge, Broadway, & Berkeley) do a modified TK program for 4-5 year olds. They are with the rest of the preschool until naptime and then do 1.5 hours of TK programming while the younger children nap. They just had an info session on the program, but I'm sure one of the school directors would be willing to talk to you about it more. Our son is in his first year at the Rockridge location and we are very happy. Still unsure what we'll do for TK year, but there is a high liklihood we stick with Little School as opposed to going with OUSD TK.
https://www.thelittleschools.com/
If your child is turning 4 this August (2025), then by CA law (below), they will be in TK for 2025-2026. I wonder if OUSD was confused by your question because their website reflects the law: https://www.ousd.org/enroll/enroll-at-ousd/enroll-your-student-tk-12/transitional-kindergarten So if your child will be 4 years old by Sept 1. 2025, then they can enter TK for 25-26 (this is true for all districts in CA). NOTE THAT 25-26 IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT ALL 4 YEAR OLDS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TK, SO DATES FROM PRIOR YEARS ARE NO LONGER RELEVANT. Now all students have the option of TK. Some families choose to keep their children in preschool instead of TK and so will start public school for K.
To be clear: If your child is still 3 by Sept 1, 2025, then they will enter TK for the 26-27 school year. If your child is 5 by Sept 1, 2025 then they should be in TK this school year and you can enroll them ASAP.
Law: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/School/tk-12-transitional-k.aspx
"In 2025–26, LEAs are required to make TK available to all children who will have their fourth birthday by September 1 of the school year."
I hope this helps! Feel free to DM if it's not.
The Berkeley School (theberkeleyschool.org) has a great TK program ! I don't know what their age cutoffs are for next year but I would think they might be flexible.