Transitional kindergarten · Eureka
10 of Eureka’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 240 four-year-olds.
Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 10 campuses in Eureka.
- Washington Elementary46 in TK
- Pine Hill Elementary34 in TK
- Grant Elementary33 in TK
- Alice Birney Elementary32 in TK
- Freshwater Elementary28 in TK
- Lafayette Elementary24 in TK
- Alder Grove Charter School 219 in TK
- Northern United - Humboldt Charter12 in TK
- Garfield Elementary8 in TK
- Glen Paul4 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.
Where to enroll
Through 5 school districts, or a charter
- Eureka City Schools
- 4 of 10
- Freshwater Elementary
- 1 of 10
- Garfield Elementary
- 1 of 10
- Humboldt County Office of Education
- 1 of 10
1 more districts are named on their campuses below.
Campuses
Which Eureka campuses have a TK class?
10 campuses in Eureka had a TK class in 2025–26.
Campuses by TK headcount
46in TK
Washington Elementary
Grades TK–5 · Eureka City Schools
Scope Score 76Solid · 56th percentile
34in TK
Pine Hill Elementary
Grades TK–3 · South Bay Union Elementary
No score
33in TK
Grant Elementary
Grades TK–5 · Eureka City Schools
Scope Score 74Developing · 41st percentile
32in TK
Alice Birney Elementary
Grades TK–5 · Eureka City Schools
Scope Score 69Needs Support · 11th percentile
28in TK
Freshwater Elementary
Grades TK–6 · Freshwater Elementary
Scope Score 78Solid · 64th percentile
24in TK
Lafayette Elementary
Grades TK–5 · Eureka City Schools
Scope Score 70Needs Support · 22nd percentile
19in TK
Alder Grove Charter School 2Charter
Grades TK–12 · South Bay Union Elementary · Check how it admits students.
Scope Score 72Developing · 30th percentile
12in TK
Northern United - Humboldt CharterCharter
Grades TK–12 · Humboldt County Office of Education · Check how it admits students.
Scope Score 79Solid · 66th percentile
8in TK
Garfield Elementary
Grades TK–6 · Garfield Elementary
Scope Score 90Strong · 94th percentile
4in TK
Glen Paul
Grades TK–12 · Humboldt County Office of Education
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?
Eureka has 42 licensed child care programs.
20
child care centers22
family child care homesA child born after September 1, 2023 isn’t old enough for TK in 2027–28. Until they are, look at Eureka’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.