Transitional kindergarten · Atwater

8 of Atwater’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 283 four-year-olds.

Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 8 campuses in Atwater.

Elmer Wood Elementary: 47 in TKThomas Olaeta Elementary: 45 in TKShaffer Elementary: 44 in TKBellevue Elementary: 39 in TKAileen Colburn Elementary: 36 in TKJuniper Elementary: 24 in TKMitchell Elementary: 24 in TKPeggy Heller Elementary: 24 in TK
  1. Elmer Wood Elementary47 in TK
  2. Thomas Olaeta Elementary45 in TK
  3. Shaffer Elementary44 in TK
  4. Bellevue Elementary39 in TK
  5. Aileen Colburn Elementary36 in TK
  6. Juniper Elementary24 in TK
  7. Mitchell Elementary24 in TK
  8. Peggy Heller Elementary24 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 Atwater Elementary

Campuses

Which Atwater campuses have a TK class?

8 campuses in Atwater had a TK class in 2025–26.

Campuses by TK headcount

  • 47in TK

    Elmer Wood Elementary

    Grades TK–6 · Atwater Elementary

    Scope Score 75Solid · 52nd percentile

  • 45in TK

    Thomas Olaeta Elementary

    Grades TK–6 · Atwater Elementary

    Scope Score 78Solid · 64th percentile

  • 44in TK

    Shaffer Elementary

    Grades TK–6 · Atwater Elementary

    Scope Score 74Developing · 42nd percentile

  • 39in TK

    Bellevue Elementary

    Grades TK–6 · Atwater Elementary

    Scope Score 73Developing · 35th percentile

  • 36in TK

    Aileen Colburn Elementary

    Grades TK–6 · Atwater Elementary

    Scope Score 73Developing · 37th percentile

  • 24in TK

    Juniper Elementary

    Grades TK–6 · Atwater Elementary

    Scope Score 75Solid · 50th percentile

  • 24in TK

    Mitchell Elementary

    Grades TK–6 · Atwater Elementary

    Scope Score 76Solid · 56th percentile

  • 24in TK

    Peggy Heller Elementary

    Grades TK–8 · Atwater Elementary

    Scope Score 74Developing · 43rd 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?

Atwater has 29 licensed child care programs.

12

child care centers

17

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 Atwater’s centers and family child care homes, and ask each one about ages and openings.

Preschools in AtwaterPre-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.