Transitional kindergarten · Santa Monica

8 of Santa Monica’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 314 four-year-olds.

Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 8 campuses in Santa Monica.

Franklin Elementary: 58 in TKGrant Elementary: 54 in TKWill Rogers Elementary: 48 in TKRoosevelt Elementary: 46 in TKMcKinley Elementary: 40 in TKSanta Monica Alternative (K-8): 28 in TKCanyon Charter Elementary: 20 in TKEdison Elementary: 20 in TK
  1. Franklin Elementary58 in TK
  2. Grant Elementary54 in TK
  3. Will Rogers Elementary48 in TK
  4. Roosevelt Elementary46 in TK
  5. McKinley Elementary40 in TK
  6. Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)28 in TK
  7. Canyon Charter Elementary20 in TK
  8. Edison Elementary20 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 Santa Monica-Malibu Unified, or a charter

Campuses

Which Santa Monica campuses have a TK class?

8 campuses in Santa Monica had a TK class in 2025–26.

Campuses by TK headcount

  • 58in TK

    Franklin Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified

    Scope Score 96Strong · 99th percentile

  • 54in TK

    Grant Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified

    Scope Score 87Strong · 89th percentile

  • 48in TK

    Will Rogers Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified

    Scope Score 77Solid · 60th percentile

  • 46in TK

    Roosevelt Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified

    Scope Score 87Strong · 89th percentile

  • 40in TK

    McKinley Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified

    Scope Score 84Strong · 83rd percentile

  • 28in TK

    Santa Monica Alternative (K-8)

    Grades TK–8 · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified

    Scope Score 85Strong · 86th percentile

  • 20in TK

    Canyon Charter ElementaryCharter

    Grades TK–5 · Los Angeles Unified · Check how it admits students.

    Scope Score 92Strong · 96th percentile

  • 20in TK

    Edison Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Santa Monica-Malibu Unified

    Scope Score 90Strong · 93rd 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?

Santa Monica has 80 licensed child care programs.

62

child care centers

18

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

Preschools in Santa MonicaPre-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.