Transitional kindergarten · Santee
8 of Santee’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 349 four-year-olds.
Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 8 campuses in Santee.
- Sycamore Canyon Elementary61 in TK
- Hill Creek Elementary48 in TK
- Carlton Oaks Elementary44 in TK
- Chet F. Harritt Elementary40 in TK
- Rio Seco Elementary40 in TK
- Cajon Park Elementary39 in TK
- PRIDE Academy at Prospect Avenue39 in TK
- Carlton Hills Elementary38 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 Santee campuses have a TK class?
8 campuses in Santee had a TK class in 2025–26.
Campuses by TK headcount
61in TK
Sycamore Canyon Elementary
Grades TK–6 · Santee
Scope Score 81Strong · 75th percentile
48in TK
Hill Creek Elementary
Grades TK–8 · Santee
Scope Score 80Solid · 71st percentile
44in TK
Carlton Oaks Elementary
Grades TK–8 · Santee
Scope Score 83Strong · 80th percentile
40in TK
Chet F. Harritt Elementary
Grades TK–8 · Santee
Scope Score 79Solid · 67th percentile
40in TK
Rio Seco Elementary
Grades TK–8 · Santee
Scope Score 80Solid · 70th percentile
39in TK
Cajon Park Elementary
Grades TK–8 · Santee
Scope Score 73Developing · 35th percentile
39in TK
PRIDE Academy at Prospect Avenue
Grades TK–8 · Santee
Scope Score 81Solid · 74th percentile
38in TK
Carlton Hills Elementary
Grades TK–8 · Santee
Scope Score 78Solid · 65th 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?
Santee has 46 licensed child care programs.
16
child care centers30
family child care homesA child born after September 1, 2023 isn’t old enough for TK in 2027–28. Until they are, look at Santee’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.