Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) recently announced that 55 new classrooms will be funded through the Pre-K through 3rd Grade Integrated Approach to Early Learning (P-3) for the 2025-2026 school year.
This expansion will increase the number of classrooms implementing the P-3 approach to 454 across 29 counties. The ADECE, in partnership with the Alabama State Department of Education, is working to align instructional practices, assessments and leadership 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. Through my Strong Start, Strong Finish initiative, we are setting the stage for lifelong success and empowering every child to reach their fullest potential,” said Governor Ivey. “Strong students lead to a strong Alabama, and these learning efforts will ensure we continue to strengthen our schools and provide the best education for all students.”

The recipient schools include two in Colbert County; one in Cullman County; Hollywood Elementary in Jackson County; one in Lauderdale County; three in Marshall County; one in Shelby County and four in Walker County.

“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.

The Alabama Pre-K–3rd Grade Integrated Approach to Early Learning (P-3) builds upon student success and narrows the achievement gap by expanding access to Alabama’s high-quality pre-k model. P-3 is funded by the ADECE through the governor’s Strong Start, Strong Finish education initiative. For more information, visit children.alabama.gov/educators/pre-k-3.