Transitional kindergarten · Merced

18 of Merced’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 767 four-year-olds.

Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 18 campuses in Merced.

Pioneer Elementary: 72 in TKAda Givens Elementary: 60 in TKFranklin Elementary: 60 in TKRudolph Rivera Elementary: 60 in TKFarmdale Elementary: 54 in TKDonn B. Chenoweth Elementary: 53 in TKMcSwain Elementary: 48 in TKDon Stowell Elementary: 42 in TKMargaret Sheehy Elementary: 41 in TKAllan Peterson Elementary: 40 in TKJohn Muir Elementary: 40 in TKLuther Burbank Elementary: 40 in TKLeontine Gracey Elementary: 37 in TKAlicia Reyes Elementary: 36 in TKJohn C. Fremont Elementary: 35 in TKMerced Scholars Charter: 28 in TKCharles Wright Elementary: 20 in TKMerced County Special Education: 1 in TK
Each dot is a campus with a TK class. 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 4 school districts, or a charter

McSwain Union Elementary
1 of 18
Merced County Office of Education
1 of 18

Campuses

Which Merced campuses have a TK class?

18 campuses in Merced had a TK class in 2025–26.

Campuses by TK headcount

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?

Merced has 91 licensed child care programs.

39

child care centers

52

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

Preschools in MercedPre-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.