By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

The Alabaster City School System is accepting applications for its first pre-kindergarten program, and will announce those selected for the program in late June.

ACS began accepting applications for its CHAMPS – Cultivating High Achieving Motivated Pre-School Students – on May 27, and will collect them through June 25. Applications are available at Creek View Elementary School, Meadow View Elementary School and at the ACS Central Office on the second floor of Alabaster City Hall.

All applications should be submitted to the ACS Central Office, which is at 1953 Municipal Way, Suite 200.

CHAMPS is Alabama’s nationally recognized pre-K program, and is aimed at preparing students for “success in kindergarten and beyond through engagement in quality instruction” from teachers.

The ACS CHAMPS program is open to four-year-old students who reside in the ACS attendance zone.

After collecting applications through June 25, the school system will randomly select CHAMPS participants through a public drawing at the ACS Central Office at noon on June 30.

The program will begin on Aug. 7 at MVES and CVES, and will operate from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday for 36 weeks. The program is funded through an $82,800 state grant awarded to the school system on May 13.

For more information on the program, visit Alabasterschools.org.