Transitional kindergarten · San Mateo
11 of San Mateo’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 318 four-year-olds.
Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 11 campuses in San Mateo.
- Parkside Montessori50 in TK
- Baywood Elementary40 in TK
- George Hall Elementary40 in TK
- Highlands Elementary38 in TK
- LEAD Elementary35 in TK
- North Shoreview Montessori24 in TK
- Fiesta Gardens International Elementary20 in TK
- Laurel Elementary20 in TK
- Sunnybrae Elementary20 in TK
- Meadow Heights Elementary18 in TK
- Beresford Elementary13 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 Mateo campuses have a TK class?
11 campuses in San Mateo had a TK class in 2025–26.
Campuses by TK headcount
50in TK
Parkside Montessori
Grades TK–8 · San Mateo-Foster City
Scope Score 80Solid · 73rd percentile
40in TK
Baywood Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Mateo-Foster City
Scope Score 82Strong · 79th percentile
40in TK
George Hall Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Mateo-Foster City
Scope Score 87Strong · 89th percentile
38in TK
Highlands Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Mateo-Foster City
Scope Score 77Solid · 58th percentile
35in TK
LEAD Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Mateo-Foster City
Scope Score 66Needs Support · 3rd percentile
24in TK
North Shoreview Montessori
Grades TK–8 · San Mateo-Foster City
Scope Score 84Strong · 84th percentile
20in TK
Fiesta Gardens International Elementary
Grades TK–7 · San Mateo-Foster City
Scope Score 72Developing · 33rd percentile
20in TK
Laurel Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Mateo-Foster City
Scope Score 70Needs Support · 18th percentile
20in TK
Sunnybrae Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Mateo-Foster City
Scope Score 69Needs Support · 12th percentile
18in TK
Meadow Heights Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Mateo-Foster City
Scope Score 80Solid · 71st percentile
13in TK
Beresford Elementary
Grades TK–5 · San Mateo-Foster City
Scope Score 75Developing · 48th 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 Mateo has 145 licensed child care programs.
68
child care centers77
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 Mateo’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.