The 2025–26 school year was the first year of universal transitional kindergarten (TK), with all California four-year-olds eligible to attend. The gradual expansion of TK over the past several years has partially offset enrollment declines in all other grades. TK enrollment increased sharply—by nearly 36,000 students (or 20%) this past year—while access was expanding, but now that the program is universal, future growth will depend on increased take-up among families with four-year-olds.

Since 2020–21, statewide enrollment has fallen by roughly 271,000 students. Without the gradual expansion of TK eligibility—from 25% to 100% of the state’s four-year-olds—the overall decline would have been about 416,000. The state projects a decline of nearly 583,000 students over the coming decade, or nearly 614,000 students in all grades except TK.

While TK enrollment has grown, take-up rates have fallen slightly, from roughly 53% to 52% of the state’s four-year-olds. As a result, TK enrollment growth was smaller than expected (36,000 vs 52,000).

Small increases in TK enrollment are projected over the next decade, even as the number of four-year-olds in California declines. The population of four-year-olds fell by roughly 50,000 from 2014 to 2024 (the most recent year of Department of Finance estimates), and it is projected to decline by another 71,000 by 2035. Projected increases in TK enrollment assume higher take-up rates.

By partially offsetting overall enrollment declines, TK has lessened declines in district funding (which is based on enrollment). However, serving a new grade of younger students brings additional staffing and operational challenges for districts. TK programs require different facilities, smaller class sizes, and additional classroom aides—and many families need full-day or afterschool options. Districts with falling enrollment in other grades face the challenge of creating new classrooms and finding appropriate educators for four-year-olds while staffing and services in later grades are downsized.

As the state moves into the second year of universal TK, improvement in several areas will be key to further growth. If districts can make progress on program access and quality, parental awareness, and full-day/afterschool options, TK take-up rates may increase. Take-up rates can also be improved by increasing access—not all elementary schools offer TK to all four-year-olds. In addition to boosting overall enrollment for school districts, these improvements would provide a more comprehensive, high-quality early childhood education option for California families.