Kindergarten is one of the main entry grades at private schools. Unlike admission to higher grades, kindergarten admission involves no written test; schools use on-campus assessments and parent meetings to judge whether the student is ready for the classroom. The first thing parents need to confirm is whether the student’s birthday meets the school’s age requirement.
Start With the Birthday Cutoff
California law provides that public school kindergartens admit students who turn 5 on or before September 1 of the school year; students who turn 4 on or before September 1 may attend Transitional Kindergarten (TK). Compulsory education in California begins at age 6, so kindergarten itself is not mandatory. This rule applies only to public schools; private schools may set their own cutoffs.
Kindergarten entry: the date by which a child must turn 5
In the year of entry, the farther right the line, the later the birthday it allows
- July 1Two months earlier than public schoolsSt. Margaret's Episcopal School, St. Mary's School
- September 1Same as California public schoolsThe Pegasus School, Carden Hall, Mariners Christian School, St. Junipero Serra Catholic School, The Geneva School
- December 2Three months later than public schoolsStratford School (Mission Viejo campus)
Schools handle students with summer birthdays differently. Mariners Christian School states that students with birthdays in June through August must apply for kindergarten but may be placed in TK based on screening results; Carden Hall allows students with birthdays in June through August to enter a year later.
Forms of Admission Assessment
Individual
Cognitive assessment
The Pegasus School begins with an individual cognitive assessment; applicants whose initial results show potential return to campus for a classroom experience.
Group
Group activities
At St. Margaret's Episcopal School, applicants to kindergarten through grade 2 take part in an on-campus group activity (playgroup); at TVT Community Day School, TK and kindergarten applicants take part in an interactive group assessment.
Developmental screening
Chancy and Bruce screening
Mariners Christian School and St. Junipero Serra Catholic School use this school readiness screening, which is administered by an outside organization.
Teacher-led
Teacher meeting and screening
At The Geneva School, the school's kindergarten teachers conduct the screening; at Stratford School, grade-level teachers meet with and assess applicants.
In addition to the assessment, most schools hold a parent meeting. Kindergarten applications at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School include a meeting between parents and admission staff; at St. Mary’s School, parent meetings for kindergarten through grade 5 are held over Zoom. The meeting covers the family’s educational values and the parents’ expectations of the school.
Application Timeline
- 1
September to December
Visit schools and submit applications
Most schools open online applications in September. Tours, information sessions, and open houses are concentrated in the fall.
- 2
December to February
On-campus assessment and parent meeting
After submitting the application, families schedule an assessment time. Some schools hold group screenings on Saturdays.
- 3
Late February to March
Receive decisions
Decisions are admission, waitlist, or denial. Some schools state that only applicants who submit all materials on time receive a decision in the first round.
- 4
After decisions
Sign the enrollment contract
The signing period is usually only one to two weeks, so families applying to several schools should compare options in advance.
Kindergarten Admission at Eight Schools (2027-28 School Year)
Harbor Day School
On-campus assessment- Application
- Opens September 1, 2026; closes January 8, 2027
- Assessment
- On-campus assessment for kindergarten and grade 1, in person only
- Note
- The website states that the deadline will not be extended
The Pegasus School
Cognitive assessment- Age
- Turns 5 before September 1
- Deadline
- January 4, 2027
- Decision
- February 26, 2027
- Contract
- By March 12 (the tuition page states March 15)
Kindergarten has 3 classes of 18 to 20 students each.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School
Group activity- Age
- Turns 5 before July 1
- Application
- Submit by December 15
- Materials
- Complete by February 1
- Decision
- Early March for applicants who submit all materials on time
St. Mary's School
On-campus assessment- Age
- Turns 5 before July 1
- Application
- Opens September 1, 2026; closes January 4, 2027
- Decision
- February 26, 2027
- Meeting
- Parent meeting held over Zoom
TVT Community Day School
Group assessment- Age
- TK applicants must turn 4 before September 1
- Application
- Opens October 1, 2026; priority deadline February 1, 2027
- Decision
- Early March; contract signed within 10 business days of admission
Carden Hall
Group screening- Age
- Turns 5 before September 1
- Application
- September 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027, or until full
- Screening
- January 23 or February 6, 2027 (Saturdays)
- Decision
- By March 1
Mariners Christian School
Developmental screening- Age
- Turns 5 before September 1
- Early decision
- December 1; the family meeting must be completed one week earlier
Students with birthdays in June through August may be placed in TK.
Stratford School (Mission Viejo)
Teacher assessment- Age
- Turns 5 before December 2
- Assessment
- Meeting and assessment with grade-level teachers
The arrangements above come from the admission pages of each school's website, verified September 27, 2026. The FAQ on The Pegasus School website states that decisions are released in early March, while its admission overview states February 26; follow the school's official notification. Each school updates its information annually; before applying, rely on what the school publishes for that year.
