Transitional kindergarten · Lakewood
13 of Lakewood’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 498 four-year-olds.
Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 13 campuses in Lakewood.
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 3 school districts
- Long Beach Unified
- 6 of 13
- Bellflower Unified
- 4 of 13
- ABC Unified
- 3 of 13
Campuses
Which Lakewood campuses have a TK class?
13 campuses in Lakewood had a TK class in 2025–26.
Campuses by TK headcount
60in TK
Intensive Learning Center
Grades TK–6 · Bellflower Unified
Scope Score 80Solid · 73rd percentile
52in TK
Cleveland Elementary
Grades TK–5 · Long Beach Unified
Scope Score 84Strong · 83rd percentile
49in TK
Riley Elementary
Grades TK–5 · Long Beach Unified
Scope Score 81Solid · 74th percentile
45in TK
Holmes Elementary
Grades TK–5 · Long Beach Unified
Scope Score 80Solid · 70th percentile
43in TK
Palms Elementary
Grades TK–6 · ABC Unified
Scope Score 75Solid · 51st percentile
42in TK
Esther Lindstrom Elementary
Grades TK–6 · Bellflower Unified
Scope Score 72Developing · 32nd percentile
42in TK
Stephen Foster Elementary
Grades TK–6 · Bellflower Unified
Scope Score 76Solid · 52nd percentile
41in TK
Gompers
Grades TK–5 · Long Beach Unified
Scope Score 80Solid · 72nd percentile
28in TK
Willow Elementary
Grades TK–6 · ABC Unified
Scope Score 70Needs Support · 19th percentile
25in TK
Melbourne (Ella P.) Elementary
Grades TK–6 · ABC Unified
Scope Score 72Developing · 30th percentile
24in TK
MacArthur Elementary
Grades TK–5 · Long Beach Unified
Scope Score 80Solid · 73rd percentile
24in TK
Madison Elementary
Grades TK–5 · Long Beach Unified
Scope Score 82Strong · 78th percentile
23in TK
Craig Williams Elementary
Grades TK–6 · Bellflower Unified
Scope Score 66Needs Support · 3rd 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?
Lakewood has 55 licensed child care programs.
20
child care centers35
family child care homesA child born after September 1, 2023 isn’t old enough for TK in 2027–28. Until they are, look at Lakewood’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.