McRae-Gaines Learning Center officially makes historic move to former Cedar Park Elementary School

McRae-Gaines Learning Center (MGLC) will officially move to the former Cedar Park Elementary School in Selma, AL, on Monday, November 8, 2021, following the successful complete of a $500,000, 16-month renovation project to refurbish the school and its surrounding grounds. The school had been formerly housed on Marie Foster Street since 1981 after being incorporated in 1978.

“We are thrilled with our new home,” said Sadie Moss, Direction of MGLC since 2005. “This new space allows us to grow our program to better meet the needs of the community for children who are 12-months to eight years of age. We can more than double our current enrollment to educate nearly 200 children year-round.”

MGLC’s new home is 37,765 square feet, and includes 18 classrooms, five offices, a library, and an auditorium-cafeteria. Spacious outside grounds include two large playgrounds and a parking lot.

On Thursday, June 25, 2020, the Selma City Council transferred to MGLC right, title, and interest to Cedar Park Elementary School. The MGLC Board of Directors had worked with Selma City School and the Selma City Council for a year leading up to the transfer to secure a safer and larger facility to better serve its children, including appropriate space for a special education program. In addition, MGLC’s Board wanted to respond to requests to expand the First Class 4-K Program, which would increase enrollment by 36 children. In addition, there were plans to expand summer programming like Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL) 35 to 100 students and to increase total enrollment to serve 200 children by 2023.

MGLC officials raised just over $500,000 for the renovation project, which allowed for: 1. An asbestos study and remediation; 2. HVAC inspection and repair; 3. Roof repairs; 4. Replacement of all acoustical ceiling tiles inside the building; 5. Painting of all hallways, 18 classrooms, offices, the library, and cafeteria; 6. Replacement of  flooring in the classrooms and offices; 7. Addition of classroom partitions; deep cleaning and disinfection; 8. Classroom furnishings and kitchen equipment; 9. Window replacement; 10. Power washing 

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of the exterior; 11. Lawn maintenance and landscaping; 12. Playground (2) repairs; 13. New signage; 14. Installation of 18 Smart Boards; 16. Addition of an industrial-sized washer and dryer; 17. Permitting and insurance; 18. A new copier; 19. Moving expenses; and 20. A new ventilation hood, air conditioner and sink in a totally revamped kitchen.

Another major aspect MGLC identified in their need to move into a larger facility was due to the changing need in education over the past decade to teach the growing number of children with developmental delays and autism. MGLC plans to have its teachers attend training sessions with the Alabama State Dept. of Education and the Regional Autism Network (RAN) at Auburn University. Dr. Doris Hill, Director of the Auburn University RAN has stated that MGLC will be responding to a real need in Dallas County where early intervention is needed and would be extremely valuable to the city and county. Because of this new programming demand, MGLC has dedicated classroom space for up to 40 children with learning disabilities.

MGLC was incorporated in 1978 by eight members of the Black Belt Arts & Cultural Center known as “The Mothers of Many.” The school was their primary educational initiative to provide a rigorous pre-school and kindergarten preparation for children of African American and minority families. Since its founding MGLC has educated thousands of children in at-risk populations by utilizing a non-traditional approach during the formative pre-school and early primary grade years. 

The educational program at MGLC has produced high-achieving alumni who were motivated academically from an early age. The school’s contribution to confident and prepared students as they pursued their education is measurable and significant. Graduates from McRae-Gaines continued their studies in colleges and universities throughout the United States. Today, these students serve their communities as professionals in medicine, law, academia, and business.

MGLC received funding from The Daniel Foundation of Alabama, The Goodrich Foundation, Inversant, Inc., The Ratliff Foundation, along with gifts from friends and past parents of the school.

“We are so blessed to have received the support to continue our mission,” said Moss.  “We’ve put in a tremendous amount of work and have persevered through a pandemic.  We are so thankful everyone hung in there with us through this very difficult period of time.  Throughout the renovation we kept our eyes on one goal and that is to provide a top-notch and first-class education for our children who deserve only the best.”

MGLC is open for the enrollment of new students at its new location on 1101 Woodrow Avenue, Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. For further information, contact Ms. Moss at 334-872-8072.