MONTGOMERY, AL — Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) announced Thursday the addition of 55 new classrooms funded through the state’s Pre-K through 3rd Grade Integrated Approach to Early Learning (P-3) for the 2025–2026 school year.
This expansion brings the total number of classrooms implementing the P-3 model to 454 across 29 counties. The P-3 initiative, a collaboration between ADECE and the Alabama State Department of Education, aims to create seamless instructional alignment, assessment standards, and leadership support from First Class Pre-K through third grade.
“Each year, Alabama’s P-3 approach continues to build momentum and grow to provide a smooth transition from pre-k to third grade,” said Governor Ivey. “Through my Strong Start, Strong Finish initiative, we are setting the stage for lifelong success and empowering every child to reach their fullest potential. Strong students lead to a strong Alabama.”
The program is designed to build upon the state’s nationally recognized First Class Pre-K model by continuing quality instruction through the early grades. Research-based practices and developmentally appropriate environments are core features of the P-3 classrooms.
“We are excited to welcome these new classrooms to the P-3 network of schools dedicated to aligning practices and learning environments to what research tells us works for young children,” said ADECE Secretary Jan Hume.
Among the schools receiving new P-3 classrooms are:
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Highland Park Elementary and Webster Elementary in Colbert County
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Parkside Elementary School in Cullman County
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Hollywood Elementary in Jackson County
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Kilby Laboratory School in Lauderdale County
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Brindlee Mountain, Asbury, and Sloman Elementary Schools in Marshall County
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South Shades Crest Elementary School in Shelby County
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Carbon Hill Elementary, Oakman Middle, Parrish Elementary, and Valley Jr. High in Walker County
The P-3 initiative is funded through the Strong Start, Strong Finish education framework, which focuses on improving educational outcomes from pre-kindergarten through workforce entry.
For more information, visit children.alabama.gov/educators/pre-k-3.
