Step 1: Identify Your Neighborhood School

Step 2: Prepare your documentation

What is Transitional Kindergarten?

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is the first of a two-year kindergarten program. A child is eligible for TK if they have their fifth birthday between September 2 and December 2.

Sunnyvale School District Program Design

• TK will be offered to all eligible students in the district.
• Full day program
• TK children will have meals, recess and all activities with their kindergarten peers
• Located at five elementary school sites to service north and south side families. Parents provide their own transportation. (Bishop, Ellis, Lakewood, San Miguel, Vargas)
• Fully credentialed, experienced teachers

Curriculum Design

• Based on California Preschool Learning Foundation and California Common Core Kindergarten Standards
• Developmental approach focused on the skills needed to be successful in kindergarten
• Literacy- pre-reading and writing skills
• Math- number sense and problem solving
• Physical development- large and fine motor skills
• Social/Emotional development in a supportive environment
• Oral language development

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) in Sunnyvale

1. TK is part of the public school system and is free to all eligible children.
2. TK gives young five year olds the opportunity to start their kindergarten experience with children their own age.
3. Students will be assessed regularly, to monitor their academic, social emotional and oral language growth.
4. After Transitional Kindergarten, students will be promoted to Kindergarten.

Must children attend Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten? School is mandatory once a child is six years old. Therefore, parents and guardians are currently not required to enroll children in either Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten.

Will Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students be enrolled in the same classroom? TK students will be in a self-contained class to the extent possible.

Are Transitional Kindergarten students required to complete the entire two year program? TK students are provided the opportunity to receive a two-year kindergarten program.

Building Parent Partnerships

Communication between home and school is essential in helping students succeed. Parents are encouraged to actively participate in their child's learning journey at home and at school, volunteering in class.

Teachers are available to meet with parents on a regular basis to discuss their child's progress and how parents can help support students at home.

How can I learn more?

To learn more about transitional kindergarten, visit the Sunnyvale School District website at:
http://sunnyvaleschool.ca.schoolwebpages.com

For answers to frequently asked questions, please refer to the California Department of Education website at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/em/kinderfaq.asp

Please join us for an opportunity to take a closer look at Vargas's Student Success Through Science program. Parent tours will begin at 9:00 a.m. and last about an hour. 

Students benefit from the school’s unique science-focus, as all learning is viewed through a scientific lens. With wonder as our driver, discovery is never far behind! Vargas benefits from a state-of-the-art science learning lab, a highly skilled and dedicated instructional team, and a plethora of local resources to satisfy even the most curious budding scientists.

For more information or to RSVP please email Erika.Lopez@sesd.org or call 408-522-8267. Please email your name, your child's name and incoming grade level and your phone number. 

Tours are for adults only.

WHEN: Tour will be taking place on the following dates:

January 18

January 25

January 29    (This tour is from 1-2pm) 

TIME: Tours take place from 8:30-9:30 am. 

WHERE: Vargas Elementary. Enter the school through the front office and sign in as a visitor. 

RSVP: Please call the school or send an email to Erika Lopez, erika.lopez@sesd.org, to reserve your spot.

Please include your:

1. First and Last Name

3. Specify which date you will be attending.  

In addition to our excellent, well-rounded neighborhood schools, Sunnyvale School District offers several Programs of Choice: a science-focused school (that's us-Vargas) , a Spanish dual immersion program (San Miguel), and a parent-participation school (Fairwood Explorer) at the elementary level.

In middle school, we offer a university partnership program (Columbia) that brings cutting-edge curriculum and best practices gleaned through Stanford University research to our students.

Questions?