Transitional kindergarten · Apple Valley
11 of Apple Valley’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 507 four-year-olds.
Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 11 campuses in Apple Valley.
- Sandia Academy79 in TK
- Desert Knolls Elementary68 in TK
- Rio Vista School of Applied Learning58 in TK
- Yucca Loma Elementary57 in TK
- Academy for Academic Excellence47 in TK
- Rancho Verde Elementary40 in TK
- Sycamore Rocks Elementary40 in TK
- Phoenix Academy39 in TK
- Sitting Bull Academy39 in TK
- Mariana Academy20 in TK
- Vanguard Preparatory20 in TK
Eligibility
Who can start TK in 2027–28?
Children who turn 4 by September 1, 2027 can start, and it’s free.
Age
Is my child old enough?
A birthday from September 2, 2022 through September 1, 2023 (our arithmetic from the rule). A child who turns 5 by September 1 starts kindergarten instead.
Rule: California Education Code § 48000 (opens in a new tab)
Cost
Does TK cost anything?
No. TK is a free public school year before kindergarten, and enrolling is optional. Hours, before- and after-school care and open seats vary by campus, so ask the school.
Campuses
Which Apple Valley campuses have a TK class?
11 campuses in Apple Valley had a TK class in 2025–26.
Campuses by TK headcount
79in TK
Sandia Academy
Grades TK–8 · Apple Valley Unified
Scope Score 65Needs Support · 1st percentile
68in TK
Desert Knolls Elementary
Grades TK–6 · Apple Valley Unified
Scope Score 75Solid · 51st percentile
58in TK
Rio Vista School of Applied Learning
Grades TK–6 · Apple Valley Unified
Scope Score 74Developing · 41st percentile
57in TK
Yucca Loma Elementary
Grades TK–6 · Apple Valley Unified
Scope Score 78Solid · 64th percentile
47in TK
Academy for Academic ExcellenceCharter
Grades TK–12 · Apple Valley Unified · Check how it admits students.
Scope Score 85Strong · 86th percentile
40in TK
Rancho Verde Elementary
Grades TK–6 · Apple Valley Unified
Scope Score 65Needs Support · 1st percentile
40in TK
Sycamore Rocks Elementary
Grades TK–6 · Apple Valley Unified
Scope Score 70Needs Support · 21st percentile
39in TK
Phoenix Academy
Grades TK–8 · Apple Valley Unified
Scope Score 69Needs Support · 12th percentile
39in TK
Sitting Bull Academy
Grades TK–8 · Apple Valley Unified
Scope Score 67Needs Support · 6th percentile
20in TK
Mariana Academy
Grades TK–8 · Apple Valley Unified
Scope Score 66Needs Support · 2nd percentile
20in TK
Vanguard Preparatory
Grades TK–8 · Apple Valley Unified
Scope Score 71Needs Support · 24th percentile
Each campus’s TK headcount is from the state’s 2025–26 October enrollment count. Each Scope Score and percentile compares a school’s elementary grades with California elementary schools. A campus without elementary results shows none.
Each headcount counts the students enrolled on one October day, so it shows who enrolled, not seats open now. A campus missing here may still run TK; confirm with the school or district.
Before TK
Too young for TK? Where can my child go?
Apple Valley has 31 licensed child care programs.
13
child care centers18
family child care homesA child born after September 1, 2023 isn’t old enough for TK in 2027–28. Until they are, look at Apple Valley’s centers and family child care homes, and ask each one about ages and openings.
Licensed programs from the California Community Care Licensing Division: child care centers as of August 13, 2026, family child care homes as of May 25, 2025. A license is not a quality rating or a current opening.