Poway Unified School District Announces Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK) for All Four-Year-Olds for the 2025-26 School Year

(San Diego, CA) – The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is excited to announce significant changes to its Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program as we fully implement a Universal TK (UTK) for all four-year-olds beginning in the 2025-26 school year. This will include a full-day TK program.

TK studentStarting in the 2025-26 school year, PUSD will offer TK to all children who turn five-years-old between September 2, 2025 and September 1, 2026. This universal access ensures that more or our district’s young learners  will benefit from PUSD’s early education program. The TK school day will shift to a full day to align with the K-5 site schedule. This change addresses the childcare needs of working families and provides valuable extended learning time.

The full-day program offers significant benefits for both families and students. For families, it eases financial strain by reducing or eliminating the need for costly after-school care. It also provides a single, convenient pick-up time for families with multiple elementary-aged children, simplifying busy schedules.  Critically, the full-day program better meets the needs of families who require full-day care for their four-year-olds. The students benefit because the extended day provides additional time for developmentally appropriate curriculum, authentic assessment, and crucial social skills development.  

This transition is the result of careful consideration and planning, including feedback from parents and teachers.  PUSD conducted surveys and gathered anecdotal data to understand the needs of the community and address potential concerns. A dedicated committee of TK teachers, education specialists, and other staff is being formed to ensure a smooth transition and address any impacts of the change. Enrollment for grades TK-12 for the 2025-26 school year opens on April 1, 2024. Additional UTK information will be made available soon. For all PUSD enrollment information, visit bit.ly/u-in-pusd.