Kindergarten & TK Enrollment

What you need to know about Kindergarten Readiness

Incoming Kindergarten students are able to...

• Dress themselves, zip coats and tie shoes
• Use the bathroom independently
• Separate from parents without becoming upset
• Take turns and share
• Keep hands to self
• Sit quietly to listen to a story
• Use a pencil
• Say and write first and last name
• Tell city, state, and phone number
• Draw some form of a person
• Count to 10 and recognize numbers to 5
• Recognize colors and shapes
• Familiarity with all letters (upper and lower case); recognize at least half
• Color, cut and glue appropriately

Incoming Transitional Kindergarten students are attempting to...

The goal for all TK students is to achieve all the readiness points listed above. However, the list below includes the key readiness points for TK students.

• Dress themselves, zip coats and tie shoes
• Use the bathroom independently
• Take turns and share
• Keep hands to self
• Sit quietly to listen to a story

The Berkley Schools Transitional Kindergarten program is a District program. Locations for Transitional Kindergarten programs are based on District-wide needs and after enrollment is complete, parents will be notified of the TK locations. If a TK program is held in the child's home/neighborhood school, and there is more interest than space, a lottery will take place for TK placement. Students will return to their home/neighborhood school for Kindergarten if they do not attend TK in their neighborhood school.

TK is a specialized program to meet the academic and social development of students who are not quite ready for regular Kindergarten.

Students who are interested in Transitional Kindergarten must be 5 years old by September 1 of the year they will begin school. For example, TK students must be 5 years old by September 1, 2026, for the 2026-27 school year. If student turns 5 years old years between September 1 and December 1, 2026, an Age Waiver must be completed.

Attend the Berkley Schools Kindergarten Parent Information Nights to learn about kindergarten curriculum, how to prepare for the big first day, enrollment options, and kindergarten readiness.

At each school's event you will be able to ask the Principal questions, learn more about each school and hear about the #BerkleyDifference.

Mark your calendar for the 2026 events:

• Angell Elementary School: Thurs, Jan 29, 2026 | 6:30 pm
• Burton Elementary School: Wed, Jan 28, 2026 | 6:30 pm
• Pattengill Elementary School: Tues, Jan 20, 2026 | 6:30 pm
• Rogers Elementary School: Thurs, Jan 22, 2026 | 6:30 pm
• Norup International School: Wed, Jan 21, 2026 | 6:30 pm

Since 1978, Michigan law has required children to be up-to-date with required immunizations ON or BEFORE the first day of school for entry into kindergarten and 7th grade, and for enrollment into a new school district, grades 1-12. If students do not have complete immunizations prior to the first day of school, they will be unable to begin school until the immunizations are completed.

The following circumstances allow a required vaccine to be waived or delayed:

• A valid medical contraindication exists, preventing the child from receiving the vaccine at this time. A medical waiver should be completed and signed by the child’s physician and should state the contraindication, vaccine involved, and time period during which the child is prevented from receiving the vaccine.
• The parents/caregivers have valid religious or philosophical beliefs which prevent receipt of a vaccination. Waivers should not be taken lightly. A child who is not fully vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases could be a risk to others and for contracting the disease. Appointments are required for waiver education by calling the Oakland County Health Nurse on Call at 1-800-848-5533.
• A child is not yet old enough to receive their vaccinations. For example, a child who is 4 years old when school begins and turns 5 on September 20. Once the child turns 5 and is eligible for those vaccines, it is required to complete them.

The good news is that Oakland County Health Division provides immunizations for all ages in their Southfield offices (27725 Greenfield Rd, Southfield, MI 48076) with no appointment needed. Families can call the Health Division at 248-424-7000 to learn more.

In addition to required immunizations, TK and Kindergarten students are also required to have vision, hearing and dental screenings prior to school starting. The Oakland County Health Division can also help families with these screenings if you need assistance. Families can call 248-424-7070 for vision and hearing screening assistance and 248-858-1306 for dental screening assistance. Families can also learn about all of the Oakland County Health Division services on their website.