Transitional kindergarten · San Juan Capistrano
5 of San Juan Capistrano’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 191 four-year-olds.
Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 5 campuses in San Juan Capistrano.
- California Online Public Schools Southern California59 in TK
- San Juan Elementary52 in TK
- California Republic Leadership Academy Capistrano40 in TK
- Harold Ambuehl Elementary20 in TK
- Kinoshita Elementary20 in TK
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.
Campuses
Which San Juan Capistrano campuses have a TK class?
5 campuses in San Juan Capistrano had a TK class in 2025–26.
Campuses by TK headcount
59in TK
California Online Public Schools Southern CaliforniaCharter
Grades TK–12 · Capistrano Unified · Check how it admits students.
Scope Score 75Solid · 50th percentile
52in TK
San Juan Elementary
Grades TK–5 · Capistrano Unified
Scope Score 78Solid · 62nd percentile
40in TK
California Republic Leadership Academy CapistranoCharter
Grades TK–8 · Orange County Department of Education · Check how it admits students.
Scope Score 81Strong · 75th percentile
20in TK
Harold Ambuehl Elementary
Grades TK–5 · Capistrano Unified
Scope Score 81Strong · 77th percentile
20in TK
Kinoshita Elementary
Grades TK–5 · Capistrano Unified
Scope Score 71Developing · 26th 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?
San Juan Capistrano has 3 licensed child care programs.
0
child care centers3
family child care homesA child born after September 1, 2023 isn’t old enough for TK in 2027–28. Until they are, look at San Juan Capistrano’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.