Welcome to the first big milestone in your child’s academic journey!

Did you know? 4-year-olds are now eligible for TK!*

Welcome to Kindergarten!

Kindergarten is the foundation for a lifetime of learning. This is where your child builds confidence, makes friends, and discovers the joy of learning through play, creativity, and curiosity. Students are introduced to essential skills, such as reading, writing, and math, in fun and engaging ways that spark a love for learning. Downey Unified is so excited to partner with you on this incredible journey.

Downey Unified TK students learn…

…to solve problems.

…to be independent.

…to share and take turns.

…to explore the world around us.

…that school and learning are fun.

Our Kindergarteners learn…

…letters, sounds and how to read real books.

…how to hold a pencil, write letters and words to make sentences.

…to use technology to express their opinions, write stories and create books using apps on iPads.

…how to count numbers and why counting helps us in our everyday lives.

…to understand what a number means and how to put two numbers together.

Downey Unified students are readers, writers, mathematicians, thinkers, artists, scientists, helpers, and friends.

ENROLL TODAY

Samples of Work

Using Apps to Learn

Our Kindergarten students use Poplet, an app, to organize and show their thinking in a creative and visual way. They then publish their creations on Seesaw for teachers and peers. This digital “classroom” allows them to share and comment on their classmates work in an easy-to-use platform.

Creative Digital Projects

PicCollege is used by kindergarten and first-grade students to creatively showcase their comprehension of different content. Student can create their own unique visuals with pictures and text and share them with their class through Seesaw.

Interactive Learning

Kindergarten students use letter manipulatives (magnetic letters) to build words to help them in their process of learning to read. This process is a great teaching tool in helping students build literacy, giving them a way to interact with the alphabet through hands-on activities.

Counting Concepts

Counting collections give children the opportunity to make sense of concepts and practice counting in a real context. Kindergarten students are given a collection of objects to count to assist them in understanding mathematics. This activity can be used for many different mathematical purposes, such as number names, the order of numbers, one-to-one correspondence, name-symbol relation, and base 10 structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Transitional Kindergarten?

Transitional Kindergarten is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate.

Are children required to attend Transitional Kindergarten?

No. Transitional Kindergarten, or regular Kindergarten for that matter, is not mandatory in California. It is up to parents to decide whether to enroll their children in preschool or transitional kindergarten.

*How old does my child need to be to be enrolled?

Kindergarten

Kindergarten students must be 5 years old before September 2, 2025.

Transitional Kindergarten

Transitional Kindergarten is designed for students who turns the age of 4 years old by September 1, 2025.

For students who have not participated in Kindergarten or First Grade programs prior to 2025–2026
Birthdate Criteria	Grade Level
Born on or after 09/02/21	Not eligible for enrollment
09/02/20 – 09/01/21	Transitional Kindergarten
09/02/19 – 09/01/20	Kindergarten
09/02/18 – 09/01/19	1

Is Transitional Kindergarten free?

Yes. Transitional Kindergarten is a part of California’s K-12 public school system and children can attend at no cost.

Do children in Transitional Kindergarten have to meet the same vaccination requirements as in regular kindergarten?

Yes.

Please click here to be taken to our Parent Resources Page where these requirments are listed under the Immunization Requiremnts section for both TK and Kindergarten.

Does the Transitional Kindergarten teacher need a teaching credential?

The teacher must be properly credentialed as is currently required of kindergarten teachers.

Contact Us

Still have questions?

Feel free to contact us by filling out the form, call or email. We’re happy to help.
(562) 469-6553
kinder@dusd.net

Ready to Enroll?

ENROLL TODAY