As the school year draws to a close and classrooms become vacant, 17 schools will have new classrooms for kindergarten through third grade students for next school year, thanks to a state program.

The school will have 64 new classrooms in the budget for kindergarten through third grade.^rd A grade-integrated approach to early learning for the 2024-25 school year (P-3).

This brings the number of classrooms affected by the P-3 approach to 413 classrooms in 29 counties. The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education and the Alabama State Department of Education are working together to align instructional methods, assessments and leadership for kindergarten through third grade.

Now in its eighth year, the goal of the P-3 approach is to expand the early learning continuum from Pre-K through grades 1 through 3.

“What began in 35 classrooms in 2017 has now grown into a seamless learning continuum for students in kindergarten through third grade,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “As part of my 'Start Strong, Finish Strong' initiative, this program ensures a comprehensive instructional approach that aligns and integrates student learning during a critical period when children experience their greatest growth potential.”

The accepting schools are as follows:

• New Bethel Elementary School in Colbert County
• Howell Graves Preschool in Colbert County
• G.W. Trenholm Elementary School in Colbert County
• Parkside Elementary School in Cullman County
• Lauderdale Elementary School in Lauderdale County
• Underwood Elementary School in Lauderdale County
• Sweetwater High School in Marengo County
• Boaz Elementary School in Marshall County
• Covenant Academy of Mobile in Mobile County
• Berkeley Bridge Elementary School in Morgan County
• South Shades Crest Elementary School in Shelby County
• Taylorville Elementary School in Tuscaloosa County
• Curry Elementary School in Walker County
• Lupton Elementary School in Walker County
• Oakman Elementary School in Walker County
• Walker County Parish Elementary School
• Walker County Double Springs Elementary School

“This successful partnership between local school systems and the Alabama Department of Education is one example of the many great efforts happening across the state to ensure more children have access to high-quality, age-appropriate learning that will lay a solid foundation for the long-term success of Alabama's young learners,” said Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Acting Secretary Jan Hume.

Alabama's integrated approach to early learning for kindergarten through third grade is based on student success and will reduce achievement gaps by expanding access to high-quality preschool models in Alabama. P-3 is funded by the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education through the Governor's Strong Start, Strong Finish education initiative.

For more information, children.alabama.gov/for-educators/pre-k-3rd-grade-early-learning/.

This story was originally 256 today.