The Alabama Power Foundation has awarded 21 pre-K programs across the state with classroom grants.

The grants are part of the foundation’s Brighter Minds education initiative. The $10,000 grants will enable these pre-K programs to improve their learning environments.

"Early-childhood education lays the foundation for lifelong learning and success," said Myla Calhoun, Alabama Power vice president of Charitable Giving. "Children who have access to high-quality pre-K programs are better prepared for elementary school, high school and, ultimately, the workforce. This is an investment in our state’s future that we can’t afford to overlook."

The state’s nationally recognized First Class Pre-K Program is administered by the Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs, which funds classrooms across the state through a competitive grant process. First Class Pre-K is in all 67 Alabama counties.

According to the Department of Children’s Affairs, a key component for quality pre-K is having well-furnished classrooms. The Alabama Power Foundation grants will help furnish these classrooms with high-quality learning materials and equipment.

Early childhood education is one of the three focus areas for the Alabama Power Foundation’s Brighter Minds education initiative, along with strengthening STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and workforce development, and providing conservation education. To find out more about Brighter Minds and other initiatives of the Alabama Power Foundation, visit www.powerofgood.com.

These 21 classrooms will receive pre-K grants from the Alabama Power Foundation:

 Abbeville Elementary School – Henry County Board of Education

 Ashville Elementary School – St. Clair County Board of Education

 Beauregard Elementary School – Lee County Schools

 Brighton/Lipscomb Pre-K 2 – Jefferson County School System

 CHAMPS Pre-K at Creek View Elementary School – Alabaster City School System

 Chickasaw Elementary School – Chickasaw City School System

 Clanton Elementary School 1 – Chilton County Schools

 Einstein’s Playground – Birmingham

 Lamar County Pre-K, South Lamar Site – Lamar County Board of Education

 Lisenby Primary School, Pre-K program – Ozark City Schools

 Marengo High School, Pre-K program

 McKee Pre-K Center – Montgomery Public Schools

 Monroeville Elementary School – Monroe County Board of Education

 New Brockton Elementary – Coffee County

 Rock Mills Junior High School, Pre-K program – Randolph County Board of Education

 St. Elmo Elementary – Mobile County Public School System

 St. Joseph's Head Start Center – Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity Head Start

 Stemley Road Elementary/Stemley K4 First Class – Talladega County Schools

 Thomasville Elementary School – Thomasville City Schools

 Tuggle Elementary School – Birmingham City Board of Education

 West Blocton Elementary School, Pre-K program.

Since its creation in 1989 with funds donated by shareholders, the Alabama Power Foundation has supported Alabama communities, educational institutions and nonprofits with non-ratepayer dollars through more than 20,000 grant and scholarship awards.