Transitional Kindergarten Banner

Waukee Community School District is offering transitional kindergarten (TK) for the 2025-26 school year! Enrollment begins on Jan. 14. Learn more below and plan to enroll as early as possible to help us prepare for our first group of little learners.

 

0M4A0094TK Program Details

  • Any student who is 5 years old on Sept. 15, 2025, is eligible.
  • Classes will be limited to 20 students.
  • TK students are eligible for District before and after-school care.
  • TK students will follow the same District transportation eligibility requirements as all kindergarten students.
    • If a TK classroom is not available in the student’s neighborhood school building, the District will provide a shuttle to a nearby TK program.

 

In-person Information Night
Jan. 22 from 5-6 p.m.
Waukee Innovation & Learning Center (295 SE Ashworth Rd., Waukee) 

Virtual Information Night
Jan. 28 from 5-6 p.m.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89090582378

 

What is Transitional Kindergarten?

TK is a program for children who are of kindergarten age but would benefit from an additional year of school to prepare for kindergarten. It gives children additional space and time to further develop the necessary social and academic skills.

TK is not:

  • A special education program or behavioral program.
  • A replacement experience for kindergarten. Your child will still attend kindergarten the following school year.

 

What does TK look like?

TK meets five full days a week and follows the same school year calendar as our kindergarten students. Students will be introduced to kindergarten-level math, literacy, and social-emotional standards at an appropriate pace to develop their readiness skills. Students will also have “specials” (art, music, library, PE, guidance, and technology) like their K-5 peers.

 

How do I know if TK is a fit for my child?

There are many reasons you might choose to enroll your child in TK rather than kindergarten. Those students with summer birthdays may often benefit from additional time, but any student who is five years of age on Sept. 15 during the year of enrollment will be eligible.

We recommend you consider the academic and social-emotional development of your child, alongside their previous learning experiences. Your child’s preschool teacher may also have input for you as you consider the best option for your child.

 

How is TK different from Kindergarten?

Kindergarten standards, assessment, and reporting activities will be applied the same way in TK as in all other kindergarten classrooms. However, the pace, focus, and experiences will be adjusted. Additionally, TK promotes self-confidence and independence in students and spends more time on social-emotional and purposeful play activities.

 

For more information, see our transitional kindergarten FAQ.

 

2025-26 TK Enrollment

We ask that families register as soon as possible to help us determine the number of TK classrooms. If an elementary school does not have enough enrolled TK students, they will be grouped with a TK program at a nearby school.

Students who attend TK outside of their neighborhood school will be provided a shuttle from their neighborhood school to their TK school and back at the end of the day. All students will attend their board-approved neighborhood school beginning in kindergarten.

After April 15, you may still register for TK but enrollment will depend on available program space. We will communicate TK classroom locations to families in May.

 

Timeline

January:
On Jan. 14, you can begin submitting the required enrollment documents and requested health screening documents to the District Office.

If your child is currently enrolled in preschool at the Vince Meyer Learning Center, you do not need to re-submit these required forms to the District. However, please email enrollment@waukeeschools.org to let us know that you would like to enroll your child in transitional kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year.

Late March:
You will receive an email with directions to complete the online enrollment process.

April 15:
Deadline to ensure a spot in TK. After April 15, enrollment will depend on available program space.

May:
TK classroom locations will be communicated.

Spring:
Beyond the Bell Child and YMCA child care registration opens.

July/August:
Free/reduced meals: Students and families needing assistance to pay for school meals are encouraged to complete a Meal Eligibility application. Meal eligibility applications must be completed yearly.

 

Required Enrollment Documents

You can now begin turning in the required documents to the District Office at 560 SE University Avenue for the 2025-26 school year! There is a black drop box in the parking lot if you drop papers off after hours, or you can scan and attach documents (no photos or images, please) in an email to enrollment@waukeeschools.org. You must send ALL documents together — we cannot accept the paperwork until it’s complete.

  • Online Directions and Registration Cover Sheet
  • Proof of Residency: Students must be Waukee Community School District residents or file the appropriate paperwork.
    • Homeowner: A copy of your most recently paid property tax bill, copy of recent mortgage statement, or printout from the Dallas County Assessor’s website.
    • Renting: A copy of your signed lease agreement. The agreement must be signed by both parties and list the tenants and current terms.
    • Made an offer or recently closed on a home:
      • Made an offer: You need a copy of the purchase agreement and a completed Permission to Enroll Out of District Students Application.
      • Recently closed on a home: You need a copy of the settlement statement.
  • Home Language Survey
  • Certificate of most recent immunization record to be completed by the Physician or Medical Immunization Exemption Form to be signed by the physician or Religious Immunization Exemption Form
    • Places to find documentation of your child’s most recent immunizations:
      • Your child’s healthcare provider/doctor
      • Previous school
      • Your state’s vaccine registry/Public Health Department
      • Military records, if applicable

Step 2: Online Enrollment in Spring

In late March, you’ll receive an additional, required online form to fill out to complete your enrollment process. We’ll send the form to the email address on the cover sheet document with a code. The form will collect further information about your child, and it’s important to fill it out promptly. If you submit your enrollment paperwork after March, you’ll receive the code to complete your online enrollment in your email roughly 48 hours later.

 

Requested Health Screening Documents

We strongly encourage families to submit the health screening documents listed below to ensure our nursing staff can provide the best care for your child. You may submit the requested medical documents with other required paperwork to the District Office at the time of registration. If you don’t have the medical items completed at that time, don’t worry! You may bring any forms (or updated forms) with you during the Districtwide Open House Night when you meet your child’s teacher in late August. If you can’t attend that event, please submit health screen documents within 60 days of the start of school to your school nurse.

Please include a physical (medical report) with blood lead test results, dental screening, and vision screening form. Please note, that documentation of a child’s recent immunizations or exemption is required for all new students. Review this handy student health requirements guide for all students in preschool through 12th grade so you’re prepared to meet requirements as your child grows.