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One more year to grow before kindergarten — free, full-day, at Beacon, for children who are almost ready and would bloom with a little more time.
TK is full for the 2026–27 year. Space is limited and set by the state, but spots do open — send the screening request form to get on the list. Getting on the list also helps us plan for next year.
TK is for children who turn 4 by August 31 — a year younger than kindergarten — and who, after a short screening, would benefit from more preparation before starting kindergarten the following year. It isn't for every four-year-old; it's a caring bridge year for the children a screening shows are ready to grow the most from it.
Turns 4 by Aug 31 · screened for need · free · full day at Beacon · the year before kindergarten.
Turns 5 by Aug 31 · open to all in-district children · enroll here.
A separate program at Beacon for younger children · see preschool.
Start with the screening request form. It's the first step — it lets Beacon know your child is interested and gathers what the office needs to schedule a screening. We screen in June, and the office will follow up with the details and get your child on the list.
Screening request form → (opens in a new tab)Prefer to call, or have a question first? Call Beacon at (360) 249-4528.
We've seen what one more year does. Children who reach kindergarten with the confidence, routines, and early skills that TK builds don't just start school ready — they stay ahead. Teachers see it; families see it. It's one of the best investments this community makes in its youngest kids.
That's what makes this hard to write. Montesano used to offer 48 TK seats. State funding limits have brought us down to 35. The need didn't shrink — the funding did. So this year some children our screening shows are ready for TK won't have a seat, and that's why there's a waiting list.
How many TK seats Washington funds is decided by state lawmakers — and they genuinely count the messages they hear from families. If you believe every ready child deserves this year, tell yours:
Not sure what to say? Something like: “I'm a parent in the Montesano School District. Transition to Kindergarten gives our youngest learners the start they need — but funding limits cut our local seats from 48 to 35 and created a waiting list. Please support fully funding Transition to Kindergarten so every ready child can attend.”
Transition to Kindergarten is a Washington public-school program overseen by the state (OSPI), created so children who need a little more time arrive at kindergarten ready to thrive. Eligibility is set by screening, and the number of seats is capped by the state — which is why space is limited and the waiting list matters.
RCW 28A.300.072 (opens in a new tab) · OSPI: Transition to Kindergarten (opens in a new tab)