Thanks to Aurora School’s TK Program for sponsoring {510} Families. Aurora School is an independent, progressive TK-8 school in Oakland’s Upper Rockridge neighborhood.
Aurora School has partnered with Mills Children’s School community to bring a full-day, vibrant, play-based TK to Aurora’s Oakland campus. “This partnership combines the strategic vision of Aurora School with the century-long excellence and educational legacy of Mills College Children’s School. Two communities with shared values will now be even stronger together,” said Arjun Saroya, Aurora School Board President.
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is a one-year bridge between preschool and kindergarten, providing a relationship-driven, play-based program. Children engage in dynamic educational experiences that emerge from their interests and meet the unique needs of four-year-olds.
Kids aren’t standardized. Their education shouldn’t be either. There isn’t one right way to think, learn, create, or grow. Aurora is built around the actual kids in the room and who they’re becoming as they grow. TK Students take specialist classes in art, Spanish, music, PE, and woodworking, and enjoy time in the Play Yard, Greenspace, and Garden Forest.
Educators get to know students: what lights them up, where they struggle, what they’re ready for, and what might happen if encouraged to stretch a little further. That means seeing children fully: their identities, experiences, strengths, questions, and the different ways they move through the world. Aurora aims to help build a community where ALL children can thrive and develop a lifelong love of learning.
“Aurora is a small school that doesn’t feel that small because some of what they do is actually pretty big. There’s a bigness to it that transcends the physical number of kids in the class, and I think that’s very, very special.” ~ Satisfied Aurora Parent
See Aurora School for Yourself
You’re invited! The best way to see what makes Aurora special is to visit the historic campus, located just off Highways 13 and 24 in Oakland. Tours are scheduled on Fridays for Lower School (K-5) and Thursdays for Middle School (6-8). You can register on Ravenna for a tour, or the Lower School and Middle School Open House events. You can also email to schedule a tour at your convenience or ask for more information.
Fast Facts About Aurora School
🏫 TK to Grade 8
💚 Students must be 4 years old by 9/1/26 to enroll
🧑🎓 95 Students in the school as a whole
📍40 Dulwich Road, Oakland, CA
🚌 Transportation: No
👕 Uniform: No
🕰️ 8:45-2:45 pm for TK
⏱️ Before Care starts at 7:30 am; After Care ends at 6 pm
🩵 Flexible Tuition and financial aid available
🩷 Two learning specialists on staff to support resource and inclusion needs
🫶 K-5 students spend two years with each teacher; Grade 6-8 students spend three years with the same guides and academic advisors
🔗 Website >
How to Apply to Aurora TK
Aurora School’s Transitional Kindergarten is accepting applications on a limited basis for autumn 2026 and, according to the K-5 application schedule, for fall 2027.
All you need to apply to Aurora School >
Thanks again to Aurora School’s TK Program for sponsoring {510} Families. Aurora School is an independent, progressive TK-8 school in Oakland’s Upper Rockridge neighborhood.
