For the First Time, All Transitional Kindergarten Families Must Apply in Pasadena Unified School District Lottery

Starting today, every family with a child entering Transitional Kindergarten in the Pasadena Unified School District must submit an application through the Open Enrollment Lottery—even those who plan to send their child to the neighborhood school down the street.

The new requirement reflects the Pasadena Unified School District’s expansion of Transitional Kindergarten programs to all 14 elementary campuses. The lottery opens today at 9 a.m. and closes January 28 at 4 p.m.; families can apply online at pusd.schoolmint.com.

For families unsure how to navigate the application system, the District is offering a virtual assistance session tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The session can be accessed at bit.ly/pusdlotteryapp.

The first lottery serves families with students in kindergarten through 12th grade who want to attend a school other than their assigned neighborhood campus or who are seeking a Dual Language Immersion Program. It also includes former Pasadena Unified School District residents displaced by the Eaton Fire, children of full-time Pasadena Unified School District and City of Pasadena employees, and families who missed the earlier sibling and program priority application period.

Transitional Kindergarten students must turn four by September 1, 2026, to be eligible. Kindergarteners must turn five by that date.

Results will be available online February 11 by 11:59 p.m. Families who receive a placement must accept by February 25.

The Pasadena Unified School District offers a range of specialized programs accessible through the lottery, including Spanish, Mandarin, and French Dual Language Immersion; STEAM magnet schools at Washington and Jackson Elementary and Octavia E. Butler Magnet; International Baccalaureate at Blair and Willard; and the Immersive Storytelling Academy at McKinley.

Families seeking more information about these programs can attend the Academy Showcase on January 21 at 4:30 p.m. at McKinley School Gymnasium, 325 S. Oak Knoll St. School tour information is available at pusd.us/Tours.

A second lottery for families who miss the first deadline will run January 29 through February 19, with results available March 5.

For questions, contact the Office of Enrollment at (626) 396-3639 or visit pusd.us/Enroll.

The District serves approximately 14,000 students across Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre.