Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced the addition of 64 new First Class Pre-K classrooms for the 2026-27 school year, expanding access to early learning opportunities for children and families across Alabama.
The new classrooms, supported by the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, will increase access to Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program and help meet growing demand in communities throughout the state, according to Ivey’s office.
“Providing Alabama’s children with a strong start remains one of our state’s most important investments,” Ivey said. “These new First Class Pre-K classrooms will help more children enter kindergarten ready to learn and succeed, while strengthening the foundation for Alabama’s future.”
Ivey’s office said the expansion reflects Alabama’s continued focus on ensuring families have access to early learning opportunities regardless of where they live.
“Alabama didn’t become the nation’s highest-quality state-funded pre-k program for 20 consecutive years by accident,” Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Secretary Ami Brooks said. “This milestone reflects decades of commitment from educators, communities and state leaders who have never wavered in their belief that our youngest learners deserve the very best start. Every new classroom we add is an investment in a child’s future and a continuation of Alabama’s legacy as a national leader in early childhood education.”
This year, Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program earned recognition from the National Institute for Early Education Research as the nation’s highest-quality state-funded pre-kindergarten program for the 20th consecutive year. Alabama is the only state in the nation to achieve that distinction, according to Ivey’s office.
“For two decades, Alabama has demonstrated that a steadfast commitment to quality, accountability and access can produce lasting results for children and families,” Ivey’s office said. “Research continues to show that children who participate in high-quality pre-k programs enter school better prepared to learn and experience long-term academic and developmental benefits.”
The 64 new classrooms will begin serving children during the 2026-27 school year.
More information about Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program is available at children.alabama.gov.
