The University of Alabama
College of Education
The University of Alabama is grateful for the opportunity to serve Gadsden community and families through the Gadsden Center. Per an amended lease with the City of Gadsden, UA must vacate the center by May 31, 2025, forcing the closure of the Early Learning Initiative and after school program. The best interests of the children, families and staff are guiding the process to wind down operations. Students currently enrolled can remain through the end of the school year in May 2025 provided teaching levels do not decrease. The program is not accepting new applicants. The staff remain dedicated to providing high-quality learning for the children in the program.
The University of Alabama has been proud to offer an early learning program to Gadsden-area residents free of charge as part of its longstanding commitment to Gadsden and Etowah County. Funded by state grants, the Early Learning Initiative was not operated for a profit, but as a service provided by UA to the community.
The historical lease agreement with the City of Gadsden included substantial investments (about $1 million for rent and facility improvements) by the University into the Gadsden Center over the past 25 years. In partnership with UA, the City charged only a nominal rental fee for the space over the past 15 years; however, current city leadership recently informed the University that rent would increase significantly and then chose to sue to evict UA before a new lease agreement could be reached.
Instead of engaging in litigation that would be a costly use of state and city resources, the decision was made to prioritize current commitments to area families. UA negotiated an amended lease with the city that allows the Early Learning Initiative to remain open through the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Despite the position of current city leadership, UA remains focused on many long-term programs and efforts that support the Gadsden community and Etowah County.
The historical lease agreement with the City of Gadsden included substantial investments (about $1 million for rent and facility improvements) by the University into the Gadsden Center over the past 25 years. In partnership with UA, the City charged only a nominal rental fee for the space over the past 15 years; however, current city leadership recently informed the University that rent would increase significantly and then chose to sue to evict UA before a new lease agreement could be reached.
Instead of engaging in litigation that would be a costly use of state and city resources, the decision was made to prioritize current commitments to area families. UA negotiated an amended lease with the city that allows the Early Learning Initiative to remain open through the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Despite the position of current city leadership, UA remains focused on many long-term programs and efforts that support the Gadsden community and Etowah County.
- This fall, 207 students from Etowah County are enrolled at UA and more than 600 students from the county have graduated from UA in the past decade
- UA Early College helps high school students who want to earn college credit, including 80 Etowah County students who enrolled in the last three years.
- Municipal training was provided for 204 clerks, revenue officers and employees with financial responsibilities the last two years.
- Continuing education and life-long learning was provided through non-degree certifications, conferences and training, and support for continuing education programming to 900 county residents the last two years.
- Advising, training, and financing services served more than 250 small businesses over the past five years.
- A strong alumni association in the area provides generous scholarships of more than $250,000 over the last decade to Etowah County students.
The Early Learning Initiative at Gadsden First Class Pre-K Classrooms
The ELI
The University of Alabama Gadsden Early Learning Initiative (ELI) is an inclusive diverse
program designed to meet the needs of the community. The ELI strives to promote evidence based practices and high-quality early learning for all children by a) providing a model of care and education for young children and b) serving as a site to advance in-service and pre-service educator professional development and research in early childhood education.
Consistent with the Mission Statement of The University of Alabama, the goal of the Early Learning Initiative at Gadsden is to:
We are accepting registrations for the 2023-2024 School Year.
Children who are 4 on or before 9/1/2023 and reside in Alabama are eligible to apply.
ELI 2023-2024 Operational Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
On-site afteschool program may be available, pending enrollment needs.
The ELI proudly partners with the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education and First Class Pre-K.
The University of Alabama Gadsden Early Learning Initiative (ELI) is an inclusive diverse
program designed to meet the needs of the community. The ELI strives to promote evidence based practices and high-quality early learning for all children by a) providing a model of care and education for young children and b) serving as a site to advance in-service and pre-service educator professional development and research in early childhood education.
Consistent with the Mission Statement of The University of Alabama, the goal of the Early Learning Initiative at Gadsden is to:
- be a place where all families are welcomed, valued, and encouraged to be part of the community
- serve as a model site for early childhood educators
- serve as a research facility to further the fields of early care and education and child development
We are accepting registrations for the 2023-2024 School Year.
Children who are 4 on or before 9/1/2023 and reside in Alabama are eligible to apply.
ELI 2023-2024 Operational Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
On-site afteschool program may be available, pending enrollment needs.
The ELI proudly partners with the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education and First Class Pre-K.
Apply Here:
prek.alaceed.alabama.gov/
Questions? Contact us:
Allison Miller
[email protected]
UA Gadsden Center Director,
Cailin Kerch, PhD
[email protected]
Faculty Sponsor
Alison Hooper, PhD
[email protected]
Faculty Sponsor
prek.alaceed.alabama.gov/
Questions? Contact us:
Allison Miller
[email protected]
UA Gadsden Center Director,
Cailin Kerch, PhD
[email protected]
Faculty Sponsor
Alison Hooper, PhD
[email protected]
Faculty Sponsor
