Transitional kindergarten · Poway

9 of Poway’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 1,938 four-year-olds.

Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 9 campuses in Poway.

Pacific Coast Academy: 847 in TKCabrillo Point Academy: 674 in TKChaparral Elementary: 99 in TKMidland Elementary: 71 in TKPainted Rock Elementary: 66 in TKValley Elementary: 59 in TKGarden Road Elementary: 43 in TKPomerado Elementary: 40 in TKTierra Bonita Elementary: 39 in TK
  1. Pacific Coast Academy847 in TK
  2. Cabrillo Point Academy674 in TK
  3. Chaparral Elementary99 in TK
  4. Midland Elementary71 in TK
  5. Painted Rock Elementary66 in TK
  6. Valley Elementary59 in TK
  7. Garden Road Elementary43 in TK
  8. Pomerado Elementary40 in TK
  9. Tierra Bonita Elementary39 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 Poway Unified, or a charter

Campuses

Which Poway campuses have a TK class?

9 campuses in Poway had a TK class in 2025–26.

Campuses by TK headcount

  • 847in TK

    Pacific Coast AcademyCharter

    Grades TK–12 · Dehesa Elementary · Check how it admits students.

    Scope Score 75Developing · 49th percentile

  • 674in TK

    Cabrillo Point AcademyCharter

    Grades TK–12 · Dehesa Elementary · Check how it admits students.

    Scope Score 79Solid · 70th percentile

  • 99in TK

    Chaparral Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Poway Unified

    Scope Score 87Strong · 90th percentile

  • 71in TK

    Midland Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Poway Unified

    Scope Score 82Strong · 79th percentile

  • 66in TK

    Painted Rock Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Poway Unified

    Scope Score 83Strong · 80th percentile

  • 59in TK

    Valley Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Poway Unified

    Scope Score 81Strong · 76th percentile

  • 43in TK

    Garden Road Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Poway Unified

    Scope Score 76Solid · 55th percentile

  • 40in TK

    Pomerado Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Poway Unified

    Scope Score 83Strong · 80th percentile

  • 39in TK

    Tierra Bonita Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Poway Unified

    Scope Score 88Strong · 91st 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?

Poway has 41 licensed child care programs.

29

child care centers

12

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

Preschools in PowayPre-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.