Hope Lutheran School in Seattle, Washington opened the first transitional kindergarten program in the area in Fall 2025. They were the beneficiaries of a generous Catalyst Grant from the NOW District, which completely funded the cost of furniture and classroom materials needed to start up the new class.
Hope’s Principal, Kristen Okabayashi, noted that the program is going strong.
“We appreciate the support so much,” she wrote. “Thank you to the Northwest District for helping us make this program come alive for our students and families!”
The transitional kindergarten class was a new program for Hope, created to fulfill a need in the community for students who could use a more hands-on and active program to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. Intended for older 4- and 5-year-olds, it offers a bridge class between preschool and kindergarten for students who may not yet be ready for a traditional kindergarten classroom. The class is a way for Hope to engage even more young families in their community with the love of Jesus!
In June 2025, Hope School graduated its first transitional kindergarten class of 10 students, with half of the class continuing on to kindergarten in fall 2025 and half of the class moving up directly to first grade with this additional flexible year of learning.
