Transition to Kindergarten

Transition to Kindergarten is a free, full-day early learning program

Transition to Kindergarten (TK) is a full-day early learning program for children who have limited preschool experience, and/or those who demonstrate (through our screening process) that they would benefit from additional help transitioning to school.

TK is a time for children to explore and begin to find their place within a new environment as they start their transition to school. Students develop critical social and academic skills that launch them toward success.

The program is for students who:

• Will be 4 years old by Aug. 31
• Have limited prior preschool experience
• Need extra help getting ready for kindergarten
• Live within Vancouver Public Schools’ boundary.

Transition to Kindergarten Schedule

TK follows the same schedule and calendar as our kindergarteners. TK will start in the fall, and students will attend until the last day of school. TK students will then begin traditional Kindergarten at the start of the following school year.

Locations

The TK program has several locations:

• Hazel Dell Elementary School
• Hough Elementary School
• King Elementary School
• Ogden Elementary School
• Roosevelt Elementary School
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) Elementary School (Spanish/English Dual-Language)
• Sacajawea Elementary School
• Truman Elementary School
• Walnut Grove Elementary
• Washington Elementary School

Transportation is provided for students living within the neighborhood school boundaries where the program is offered, except for Washington Elementary which does not have bussing for any students.

Interested in Enrolling Your Child in TK?

Parents who are interested in their child attending TK must apply and attend a parent information session.

Spots for TK are limited. Those residing within the school boundaries of the schools where the TK program is offered have first priority, with families who live outside of the school boundary, but within the VPS boundary, are selected next. This program is only available to students within the Vancouver Public Schools district boundaries.

If there are more eligible children than TK spots, we will refer to a lottery process for determining who is placed.

After applying, a member of the early learning team will contact parents to make an appointment for a 15 to 20-minute screening that will look at the child’s:

• Developing literacy and math skills
• Motor skills
• Social-emotional development
• Language development

A decision will be emailed within 10 days after the screening date.TK students must be up-to-date on all required immunizations prior to beginning the program.