Transitional Kindergarten Expanded to Malibu

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is expanding its Transitional Kindergarten program to Malibu students who do not meet the state's mandated enrollment age for Kindergarten.

The program, which is for students who had their fifth birthday between Nov. 2 and Dec. 2, will begin in Malibu for the 2013-2014 school year. The program currently operates at two schools in Santa Monica.

According to the State’s Kindergarten Readiness Act, for 2013-2014 students born between Oct. 2 and Dec. 2, 2008 may enroll in Transitional Kindergarten.

Parents with TK- aged students interested in enrolling for the upcoming school year, are asked to contact their neighborhood schools now for enrollment applications.

Parents are also invited to Kindergarten Round-Ups and to schedule a tour at their neighborhood school.

Transitional Kindergarten, which offers an additional year of school to younger students, is the first year of a two-year Kindergarten program that uses a modified Kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate, according to the district.

Studies show children who attend Kindergarten readiness programs, like Transitional Kindergarten, are more likely to do well in school and attend college. 

Once students successfully complete the transitional kindergarten program, they will enroll in the kindergarten at their school of residence.

The program will run in Malibu as enrollment dictates and the participating schools will be determined at a later date.

For additional information, contact your neighborhood school or SMMUSD, Student Services, 310-450-8338.