Applications are closed for Transitional Kindergarten for the 2023-24 school year.

Transitional Kindergarten

Transitional Kindergarten is a free, full-day early learning program

Story time during a preschool program at Marshall Elementary

Transitional Kindergarten 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

Transitional 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 form, and will notify families of admission decisions in late September. Due to limited enrollment, we cannot accept every child into the Transitional Kindergarten program.

Apply beginning August 1!

Immunization requirements

Transitional 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.

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program begins at Ogden, Sacajawea, Hazel Dell and Washington elementaries
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Frequently asked questions

Transitional Kindergarten is a free kindergarten experience designed for children who will be at least 5 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.

Transitional Kindergarten will begin on Monday, October 2, 2023 at all four TK sites: Ogden,  Sacajawea, Hazel Dell, and Washington. Students will attend until the last day of school. TK students will begin traditional kindergarten with the start of the 2024–2025 school year.

Transportation is provided for students living within the boundaries of Ogden Elementary, Sacajawea Elementary and Hazel Dell 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.

The program has four locations this school year: Ogden Elementary School, Sacajawea Elementary School, Hazel Dell Elementary School and Washington 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 Transitional Kindergarten is located.

The total class size at each school is limited to 18 students. Those residing within the school boundaries of the Transitional 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 elementary (kindergarten) schedule.

Students who attend TK will still complete a full year of kindergarten during the 2024-25 school year and start first grade in fall 2025.

  • To apply, complete the online form by Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at 4 p.m.
  • After completing the form, you will receive a link to a required informational meeting via Zoom:
    • Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    • Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Be contacted by Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, for a screening appointment.
  • Attend a screening appointment between Sept. 19 and 21. Appointments usually last about 15 minutes.
  • Get notified of placement no later than Sept. 22.
  • Attend a parent orientation the week of Sept. 25. Date and time to be announced.
  • Child begins Transitional Kindergarten on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023.

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
  • Visual and hearing 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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