The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School district is planning to expand its transitional kindergarten program to Malibu for the 2013-2014 school year. The transitional kindergarten program is intended for five-year-old students born late in the year who do not meet the state’s set enrollment age for kindergarten, according to a release from the district. Children born between Oct. 2 and Dec. 2, 2008 can enroll in the transitional kindergarten program next year.
The 2013-2014 school year will be the second year of the transitional kindergarten program. This year, the program is in operation at two schools in Santa Monica, but the program was not offered in Malibu due to a lower enrollment response. Due to the success of the Santa Monica program and date changes to the state’s Kindergarten Readiness Act, the program is being expanded to Malibu.
The district describes the transitional kindergarten program as “a bridge between preschool and kindergarten.” It is intended to build on skills students learn in preschool and ensure they are ready for kindergarten.
Parents interested in enrolling children in the transitional kindergarten program for the next school year can contact their neighborhood schools for enrollment applications.
For more information, contact SMMUSD Student Services at 310.450.8338.