Assistant principal Angie Bush, at right, escorts a four-year-old student to a teacher at the Madison Pre-Kindergarten Center. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON- Madison City Schools officially has a new campus.

Madison Pre-Kindergarten Center at 74 Nance Road opened for its day of classes on Aug. 8. The facility centralizes all students in pre-kindergarten from different elementary schools to one location.

“The opening heralded a milestone for Madison City Schools. The stand-alone pre-K center underscores a commitment by Madison to grow its pre-K program in tandem with growing state support to expand pre-K,” public relations manager John Peck said.

Approximately 125 students are enrolled in seven classes at the center. A pre-K program confirms that Alabama’s four-year-olds have access to top-notch learning experiences to prepare for school success, according to the Office of School Readiness, affiliated with the Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs.

In December 2013, the Madison Board of Education purchased the building, formerly occupied by Legacy Academy for Children, and three acres for $837,500. The deal included all furnishings, fixtures, playground equipment and fencing. In May, the board approved $621,100 for Pettus Plumbing and Piping of Rogersville to renovate the building.

With Madison police officers directing traffic on Aug. 8, parents arrived early to deliver their children. “Some bounded out with shear excitement while others needed a little tender coaxing,” Peck said.

Assistant Principal Angie Bush, the center’s director, welcomed the four-year-olds as they exited the car line for their first day of school. Final renovations delayed opening by several days.

Traffic congestion occurred at next-door neighbor Rainbow Elementary School and the center, mainly at the start/end of the school day. “Motorists using Nance Road are urged to use extra caution during school hours,” Peck said.

The Madison Police Department and school administrators will continue to monitor the traffic flow to improve procedures.

Rainbow’s morning car line now forms behind the school from 7:10 to 7:35 a.m. Bus riders and walkers use the front entrance from 7:10 to 7:25 a.m. After then, walkers will use the rear entrance.

The pre-K car line opens at 7:40 a.m.

For more information, call the pre-K center at 256-824-8080.