Transitional kindergarten · Goleta

6 of Goleta’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 163 four-year-olds.

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

Isla Vista Elementary: 37 in TKLa Patera Elementary: 34 in TKBrandon Elementary: 32 in TKKellogg Elementary: 30 in TKEllwood Elementary: 23 in TKSanta Barbara Charter: 7 in TK
  1. Isla Vista Elementary37 in TK
  2. La Patera Elementary34 in TK
  3. Brandon Elementary32 in TK
  4. Kellogg Elementary30 in TK
  5. Ellwood Elementary23 in TK
  6. Santa Barbara Charter7 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 Goleta Union Elementary, or a charter

Campuses

Which Goleta campuses have a TK class?

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

Campuses by TK headcount

  • 37in TK

    Isla Vista Elementary

    Grades TK–6 · Goleta Union Elementary

    Scope Score 83Strong · 80th percentile

  • 34in TK

    La Patera Elementary

    Grades TK–6 · Goleta Union Elementary

    Scope Score 79Solid · 67th percentile

  • 32in TK

    Brandon Elementary

    Grades TK–6 · Goleta Union Elementary

    Scope Score 79Solid · 70th percentile

  • 30in TK

    Kellogg Elementary

    Grades TK–6 · Goleta Union Elementary

    Scope Score 87Strong · 89th percentile

  • 23in TK

    Ellwood Elementary

    Grades TK–6 · Goleta Union Elementary

    Scope Score 77Solid · 60th percentile

  • 7in TK

    Santa Barbara CharterCharter

    Grades TK–8 · Santa Barbara Unified · Check how it admits students.

    Scope Score 79Solid · 68th 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?

Goleta has 19 licensed child care programs.

17

child care centers

2

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

Preschools in GoletaPre-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.