The Excel by Five Community Initiative

Excel by Five is a community-based education project focused on young children in four Mississippi communities.

ChevronTexaco and the Phil Hardin Foundation of Meridian, Miss., are funding the pilot phase of this initiative. With their support, Rural Early Childhood is working with community leaders in Cleveland, West Point, Petal, and Pascagoula to foster greater family involvement, health, and early intervention services for young children, with the goal of preparing the children for kindergarten. The communities will strive to earn Excel by Five certification in recognition of their family-friendly policies.

The program is designed to give communities and those responsible for early child care and education a structured set of achievable steps toward Excel by Five certification, regardless of the size of the community.

For more information, contact:
Annjo Lemons, Director
Excel by Five Community Initiative
Rural Early Childhood
annjolemons@bellsouth.net

46 Blackjack Rd. / P.O. Box 6013 / Mississippi State, MS / 39762
tel. 662-325-4836 / fax 662-325-5436

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