Transitional kindergarten · Walnut Creek

8 of Walnut Creek’s public and charter campuses ran a TK class in 2025–26, enrolling 442 four-year-olds.

Source: CDE 2025–26 October enrollment count, 8 campuses in Walnut Creek.

Buena Vista Elementary: 74 in TKParkmead Elementary: 63 in TKWalnut Acres Elementary: 60 in TKValle Verde Elementary: 57 in TKMurwood Elementary: 55 in TKWalnut Heights Elementary: 48 in TKBancroft Elementary: 45 in TKIndian Valley Elementary: 40 in TK
  1. Buena Vista Elementary74 in TK
  2. Parkmead Elementary63 in TK
  3. Walnut Acres Elementary60 in TK
  4. Valle Verde Elementary57 in TK
  5. Murwood Elementary55 in TK
  6. Walnut Heights Elementary48 in TK
  7. Bancroft Elementary45 in TK
  8. Indian Valley Elementary40 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 2 school districts

Campuses

Which Walnut Creek campuses have a TK class?

8 campuses in Walnut Creek had a TK class in 2025–26.

Campuses by TK headcount

  • 74in TK

    Buena Vista Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Walnut Creek Elementary

    Scope Score 89Strong · 92nd percentile

  • 63in TK

    Parkmead Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Walnut Creek Elementary

    Scope Score 87Strong · 89th percentile

  • 60in TK

    Walnut Acres Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Mt. Diablo Unified

    Scope Score 90Strong · 94th percentile

  • 57in TK

    Valle Verde Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Mt. Diablo Unified

    Scope Score 86Strong · 87th percentile

  • 55in TK

    Murwood Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Walnut Creek Elementary

    Scope Score 83Strong · 80th percentile

  • 48in TK

    Walnut Heights Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Walnut Creek Elementary

    Scope Score 83Strong · 81st percentile

  • 45in TK

    Bancroft Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Mt. Diablo Unified

    Scope Score 78Solid · 65th percentile

  • 40in TK

    Indian Valley Elementary

    Grades TK–5 · Walnut Creek Elementary

    Scope Score 83Strong · 82nd 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?

Walnut Creek has 63 licensed child care programs.

37

child care centers

26

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

Preschools in Walnut CreekPre-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.