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Transitional Kindergarten student working on an art project.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) & Kindergarten Enrollment

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) bridges the gap between preschool and kindergarten. The optional program provides students with an additional year of preparation, so they enter kindergarten with stronger academic, social, and emotional skills needed for future success in school. 

California is expanding TK programs to make it available to all 4-year-olds by 2025-2026. The new program will be gradually phased in to existing TK classrooms until it covers all 4-year-olds in the state.

For admittance into transitional kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year, students must turn 5 years of age between September 2, 2024 through June 2, 2025.

For admittance into kindergarten, students must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2024.

To register a child for kindergarten or transitional kindergarten, parents/guardians should have the following documents available to scan:

  • Proof of child’s date of birth (certified copy of Birth Certificate, Notarized Affidavit of Birth, Baptismal Certificate, Physician’s Certificate/Hospital Certificate, County Recorder’s Certificate, Passport, or Family Bible. Ed Code 48002).

  • Immunizations: The following immunizations are required for all students, grades TK–12, upon registration to school according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

    • 2 doses of Varicella (chickenpox)

    • 3 doses of Hepatitis

    • 2 doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) - Only doses given after the first birthday meet the requirement.

    • 4 doses of Polio (3 doses are acceptable if the third dose was given on or after the 4th birthday)

    • 5 doses of DTaP/Tdap/DTP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis) (4 doses meet the requirement if at least one of the doses was given on or after the 4th birthday; 3 doses meet the requirement if at least one of the doses was given on or after the 7th birthday)

    • For all 7th grade students an additional dose of Td (tetanus-diphtheria) is required. If this dose is included in the above DTaP/Tdap/DTP doses, and given on or after the 7th birthday, the requirement has been met.


      Note: Students who are not up to date with their immunizations or do not have valid CAIR-ME exemptions will not be permitted to attend school. A completed “yellow” immunization card copy or verified printout from the physician is required to validate immunizations.

  • Verification of residence (utility bill, receipts from rent or property tax payments).

  • Proof of child’s health screening (physical exam) within the last 12 months.

  • Proof of dental exam within the last 12 months.

Dual Language Academy

The Dual Language Academy (DLA) is committed to developing bilingual, biliterate, multicultural students. It uses a 50-50 model, in which instruction at each grade level is 50% in English and 50% in Spanish. To learn more about enrolling your incoming kindergartener in the program, please visit the Dual Language Academy or call (209) 574-1590.

Early Childhood Education

Modesto City Schools offers a variety of fully-subsidized (free) and partially-subsidized (sliding fee scale) Early Childhood Education program options to over 1,400 students up to the age of 12. Each program provides an outstanding educational experience which can foster a young child's intellectual, social, and emotional growth to prepare for a successful education.

To learn more about enrolling your student early childhood education programs such as preschool, visit the Early Childhood Education webpage or call (209) 574-1651.

Stay Updated!

Begin your child's educational journey with us! Enroll your child today for Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten. Stay updated with the latest news, important dates, and materials needed for a successful enrollment process by subscribing to our email notifications. Ensure your child's best start, get involved, and stay informed with our community!

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TK / Kinder Registration News

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