Transition to Kindergarten

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

  • Transition to kindergarten students from Washington Elementary School playing bingo
  • Transition to kindergarten student from Washington Elementary School holding up artwork
  • Transition to kindergarten students from Washington Elementary School playing with legos

Transition to Kindergarten (TK) allows kids to begin kindergarten early. Students will participate in an extended kindergarten experience this year and then complete a full year of kindergarten during the following school year. A certificated teacher and a paraeducator will teach the class.

Why apply

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

Who is eligible

Students who meet the following criteria:

How to apply

We will accept applications through an online application, and will notify families of admission decisions in late June. Due to limited enrollment, we cannot accept every child into the Transition to Kindergarten program.

Apply beginning May 6

Immunization requirements

Transition to Kindergarten students must be up-to-date on all required immunizations prior to beginning the program. Find out what immunizations are required in Washington state for kindergarten.

Sept. 30, 0
program begins at Ogden, Sacajawea, Hazel Dell, Washington, Roosevelt, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RGB) and Truman elementaries
butterfly flying

Frequently asked questions

Transition to Kindergarten is a free kindergarten experience designed for children who will be at least 4 years old by Aug. 31, 2024. Eligible children will not have attended preschool or another early learning environment and would benefit from additional help transitioning to school.

Transition to Kindergarten will begin on Monday, September 30, 2024 at Ogden,  Sacajawea, Hazel Dell, Washington, Roosevelt, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RGB) and Truman. Students will attend until the last day of school. TK students will begin traditional kindergarten with the start of the 2025–2026 school year.

Transportation is provided for students living within the boundaries of Ogden Elementary, Sacajawea Elementary, Hazel Dell Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary and Truman Elementary. Parents of students outside of school boundaries who are selected for this program will be required to provide their own transportation to and from school. Transportation will be provided for Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s (RBG) choice school students.

The program has seven locations this school year: Ogden Elementary School, Sacajawea Elementary School, Hazel Dell Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, Roosevelt Elementary School, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) Elementary School and Truman Elementary School. All families who live in the district are welcome to apply, even if they do not live within the boundaries of the schools where Transition to Kindergarten is located.

The total class size at each school is limited to 18 students. Those residing within the school boundaries of the Transition to Kindergarten programs have first priority. Students living outside of the school boundary but within the Vancouver Public Schools’ boundaries are selected next based upon the outcome of the screening process.

The program will follow the daily elementary (kindergarten) schedule.

Students who attend TK will still complete a full year of kindergarten during the 2025-26 school year and start first grade in fall 2026.

  • To apply, complete the online application by Friday, June 7, 2024, at 4 p.m.
  • After completing the form, you will receive a link to a required informational meeting via Zoom:
    • Thursday, May 23, 2024, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m
    • Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    • Thursday, June 6, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
  • Be contacted by Friday, June 14, 2024, for a screening appointment (only after attending a parent information session).
  • Attend a screening appointment between June 20 and 21. Appointments usually last about 15-20 minutes.
  • Get notified of placement no later than Friday, June 28, 2024.
  • Attend a parent orientation at child’s TK school in mid-late September. Date and time to be announced.
  • Attend a family connection conference with child’s TK teacher during the month of September.
  • Child begins Transition to Kindergarten on Monday, September 30, 2024.

After attending a required parent session, 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 of the screening date.

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

Contact

Erynn TorreyEarly learning specialist
Phone: 360-313-1020

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