Transitional kindergarten · Arcata

6 of Arcata’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 120 four-year-olds.

Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 6 campuses in Arcata.

Pacific Union Elementary: 36 in TKArcata Elementary: 26 in TKFuente Nueva Charter: 24 in TKCoastal Grove Charter: 21 in TKLaurel Tree Charter: 8 in TKTrillium Charter: 5 in TK
  1. Pacific Union Elementary36 in TK
  2. Arcata Elementary26 in TK
  3. Fuente Nueva Charter24 in TK
  4. Coastal Grove Charter21 in TK
  5. Laurel Tree Charter8 in TK
  6. Trillium Charter5 in TK
Each numbered dot is a campus with a TK class, where it stands in the city. A larger dot has more children in TK. North is up.

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.

Starting ages and cutoff dates →

Where to enroll

Through 2 school districts, or a charter

Pacific Union Elementary
1 of 6

Campuses

Which Arcata campuses have a TK class?

6 campuses in Arcata had a TK class in 2025–26.

Campuses by TK headcount

  • 36in TK

    Pacific Union Elementary

    Grades TK–8 · Pacific Union Elementary

    Scope Score 72Developing · 31st percentile

  • 26in TK

    Arcata Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Arcata Elementary

    Scope Score 65Needs Support · 1st percentile

  • 24in TK

    Fuente Nueva CharterCharter

    Grades TK–5 · Arcata Elementary · Check how it admits students.

    Scope Score 77Solid · 61st percentile

  • 21in TK

    Coastal Grove CharterCharter

    Grades TK–8 · Arcata Elementary · Check how it admits students.

    Scope Score 76Solid · 56th percentile

  • 8in TK

    Laurel Tree CharterCharter

    Grades TK–12 · Northern Humboldt Union High · Check how it admits students.

    Scope Score 69Needs Support · 13th percentile

  • 5in TK

    Trillium CharterCharter

    Grades TK–5 · Pacific Union Elementary · Check how it admits students.

    No score

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?

Arcata has 12 licensed child care programs.

8

child care centers

4

family child care homes

A child born after September 1, 2023 isn’t old enough for TK in 2027–28. Until they are, look at Arcata’s centers and family child care homes, and ask each one about ages and openings.

Preschools in ArcataPre-K vs TK vs preschool in California: a 2026 parent’s guide

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.