MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) – Governor Kay Ivey has announced the addition of 58 new First Class Pre-K classrooms for the 2025–2026 school year, bringing the statewide total to 1,528.
The expansion continues Alabama’s investment in high-quality early childhood education through the nationally recognized First Class Pre-K program.
“The early years of a child’s life are the most critical for laying the foundation for all future learning,” Governor Ivey said. “By adding these new classrooms, we are not only investing in our children, we are investing in the future of Alabama.”
The new classrooms are made possible through the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE), which has increased classroom grant funding by 30% since the 2022–2023 school year to attract and retain qualified educators and improve classroom resources.
“Our commitment to quality is unwavering,” ADECE Secretary, Ami Brooks, said. “Access alone is not enough. Every child deserves a high-quality pre-K experience that prepares them for success.”
Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program has been ranked the best in the nation for 19 consecutive years by the National Institute for Early Education Research. The program continues to show long-term academic benefits for participating children.
For more information on Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program, visit
children.alabama.gov
.
