First 8 Memphis Announces Operators of 80 Pre-K Classrooms in Shelby County for the 2022-23 School Year

First 8 Memphis (F8M) will fund and support 80 Pre-K classrooms in the upcoming 2022-23 school year. The F8M Board of Directors approved a list of 16 recommended operators following an eight-week public application and review process. The full list of operators can be found at the bottom of the page.

“As the fiscal agents of early childhood education for the City and County, we take great pride in conducting a process that aims to provide high-quality Pre-K experiences for 1,600 children,” said Kandace Thomas, F8M Executive Director. “By ensuring operators are qualified and prepared for the start of the 2022-23 Pre-K registration and enrollment process this spring, eligible families across the community will have adequate time to make informed choices for this invaluable first step in their child’s education.”

F8M coordinated the Request for Proposals (RFP) application process, which began in October, and convened a review committee composed of representatives from City and County government and the community to evaluate applications based on a scoring rubric in January and February. The selections were approved during the February 24th F8M Board of Directors meeting.

The approved recommendations for F8M Pre-K classrooms include:

• Continuation of 71 Pre-K classrooms by 14 returning operators

• Expansion of one classroom each for two returning operators

• Approval of two new operators for one classroom each

• Location change for five current MSCS classrooms from school-based to community-based centers

Pre-K operators will coordinate and provide early childhood education services to support young children’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development to ensure Kindergarten readiness (K-readiness). As part of moving students toward K-readiness, students and families will receive wraparound services to support students’ healthy growth and development through screenings, referrals, and ongoing engagement to meet the individualized needs of families. 

Families can contact the operators listed below directly for details about their 2022-23 application processes. More information about Pre-K enrollment opportunities will also be available by the end of March at www.prekmemphis.com for all operators listed below.

2022-23 Operators of 80 F8M-Funded Pre-K Classrooms

• Bartlett City Schools

• Capstone Education Group

• Circles of Success Charter School

• Freedom Preparatory Academy

  • @ Westwood

  • @ Millbranch (New)

• Global Children Services (New)

• Journey Community Schools

• Knowledge Quest (New)

• Libertas School of Memphis

• Memphis-Shelby County Schools

• Millington Municipal Schools

• Perea Preschool

• Porter-Leath

  • Academy II @ Frayser

  • Academy III @ Orange Mound (New)

• Promise Academy

• Red Robin Learning Academy

• Southwest TN Community College

• University of Memphis - Barbara K. Lipman ELRC