Transitional kindergarten · Bell Gardens

4 of Bell Gardens’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 138 four-year-olds.

Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 4 campuses in Bell Gardens.

Bell Gardens Elementary: 45 in TKSuva Elementary: 37 in TKGarfield Elementary: 29 in TKCesar E. Chavez Elementary: 27 in TK
  1. Bell Gardens Elementary45 in TK
  2. Suva Elementary37 in TK
  3. Garfield Elementary29 in TK
  4. Cesar E. Chavez Elementary27 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 Montebello Unified

Campuses

Which Bell Gardens campuses have a TK class?

4 campuses in Bell Gardens had a TK class in 2025–26.

Campuses by TK headcount

  • 45in TK

    Bell Gardens Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Montebello Unified

    Scope Score 72Developing · 33rd percentile

  • 37in TK

    Suva Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Montebello Unified

    Scope Score 69Needs Support · 15th percentile

  • 29in TK

    Garfield Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Montebello Unified

    Scope Score 69Needs Support · 15th percentile

  • 27in TK

    Cesar E. Chavez Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Montebello Unified

    Scope Score 75Solid · 51st 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?

Bell Gardens has 19 licensed child care programs.

11

child care centers

8

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

Preschools in Bell GardensPre-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.