Transitional kindergarten · San Marcos
10 of San Marcos’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 517 four-year-olds.
Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 10 campuses in San Marcos.
- Richland Elementary81 in TK
- San Elijo Elementary70 in TK
- Twin Oaks Elementary64 in TK
- Discovery Elementary58 in TK
- Paloma Elementary57 in TK
- Double Peak52 in TK
- Knob Hill Elementary44 in TK
- San Marcos Elementary43 in TK
- La Mirada Academy31 in TK
- Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego17 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 Marcos campuses have a TK class?
10 campuses in San Marcos had a TK class in 2025–26.
Campuses by TK headcount
81in TK
Richland Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Marcos Unified
Scope Score 81Solid · 74th percentile
70in TK
San Elijo Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Marcos Unified
Scope Score 86Strong · 88th percentile
64in TK
Twin Oaks Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Marcos Unified
Scope Score 78Solid · 62nd percentile
58in TK
Discovery Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Marcos Unified
Scope Score 91Strong · 95th percentile
57in TK
Paloma Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Marcos Unified
Scope Score 84Strong · 84th percentile
52in TK
Double Peak
Grades TK–8 · San Marcos Unified
Scope Score 89Strong · 93rd percentile
44in TK
Knob Hill Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Marcos Unified
Scope Score 80Solid · 72nd percentile
43in TK
San Marcos Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Marcos Unified
Scope Score 72Developing · 30th percentile
31in TK
La Mirada Academy
Grades TK–8 · San Marcos Unified
Scope Score 77Solid · 59th percentile
17in TK
Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San DiegoCharter
Grades TK–8 · SBE - Baypoint Preparatory Academy San D · Check how it admits students.
Scope Score 75Solid · 51st 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 Marcos has 51 licensed child care programs.
29
child care centers22
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 Marcos’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.