Transitional kindergarten · Lathrop

5 of Lathrop’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 260 four-year-olds.

Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 5 campuses in Lathrop.

Lathrop Elementary: 105 in TKJoseph Widmer Jr. Elementary: 60 in TKEPIC Academy: 38 in TKNextGeneration STEAM Academy: 37 in TKMossdale Elementary: 20 in TK
  1. Lathrop Elementary105 in TK
  2. Joseph Widmer Jr. Elementary60 in TK
  3. EPIC Academy38 in TK
  4. NextGeneration STEAM Academy37 in TK
  5. Mossdale Elementary20 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 Manteca Unified, or a charter

Campuses

Which Lathrop campuses have a TK class?

5 campuses in Lathrop had a TK class in 2025–26.

Campuses by TK headcount

  • 105in TK

    Lathrop Elementary

    Grades TK–8 · Manteca Unified

    Scope Score 70Needs Support · 21st percentile

  • 60in TK

    Joseph Widmer Jr. Elementary

    Grades TK–8 · Manteca Unified

    Scope Score 68Needs Support · 9th percentile

  • 38in TK

    EPIC AcademyCharter

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

    Scope Score 84Strong · 84th percentile

  • 37in TK

    NextGeneration STEAM AcademyCharter

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

    Scope Score 79Solid · 68th percentile

  • 20in TK

    Mossdale Elementary

    Grades TK–8 · Manteca Unified

    Scope Score 70Needs Support · 17th 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?

Lathrop has 33 licensed child care programs.

3

child care centers

30

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

Preschools in LathropPre-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.