Pelham City Schools has been selected by the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education to offer two Alabama First Class Pre-K classrooms for the 2026-27 school year.

The classrooms will be located at Pelham Ridge Elementary School and will serve approximately 32 students, providing additional early learning opportunities for Pelham families. The program is made possible through funding and support from the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education as part of the state's nationally recognized Alabama First Class Pre-K initiative.

The new First Class Pre-K classrooms are in addition to Pelham City Schools' existing inclusive preschool classrooms, which serve students with special needs along with a limited number of peer students.

Important Dates

Registration Dates: July 2-July 16, 2026

Registrations submitted on or after the deadline will be added to the bottom of the waitlist after the random drawing is complete. 

Random Drawing Date:  July 20, 2026 at 2 p.m. at Pelham Ridge Elementary School

2026-2027 Registration Link: https://prek.alaceed.alabama.gov/

More registration information here.

Eligibility

Program eligibility:  Random drawing registration for potential enrollment in the Pelham City Schools First Class Pre-K program is open to all children four years of age on or before 9/01/26, if the following conditions are met: 

• Zoning requirements determine eligibility for the Pre_K program. Custodial parent/guardian must reside in the Pelham City Schools school zone. 

• Children who are eligible for kindergarten are not eligible for First Class Pre-K. 

• Eligible students should be toilet trained and easily attend to their own restroom needs. 

Random Drawing Process

• Student names will be drawn via a random drawing lottery and will be placed in rank order according to the number drawn. Once all available spots for the Pre-K program have been filled, the remaining students will be placed on a waiting list. 

  • If a student is selected who is a twin (or other multiple birth), the biological siblings will automatically be added to the enrollment list. 

• If selected in the random drawing, detailed information about required documents will be emailed.

Additional Program Information

• Pelham Ridge Elementary First Class PreK hours: 8:00am - 2:30pm. 

• Parents must transport students and drop off/pick up in person.

• There is no monthly fee for the First Class Pre-K program.

• There will be a mandatory program orientation at the beginning of the year and a minimum of 2 family conferences during the year (one for each semester).

Questions? Email kcocke@pelhamcityschools.org