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Message from the Executive Director |
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As another school year begins, there is a special sense of excitement across Madison County. Hallways are once again filled with smiling faces, classrooms are buzzing with curiosity, and teachers are welcoming students with fresh opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. New school years represent new beginnings; a chance to build friendships, discover new interests, overcome challenges, and create memories that will last a lifetime. This year is especially exciting as we celebrate the opening of two new schools: Sparkman Intermediate School in Madison County Schools and Russell Branch Elementary School in Madison City Schools. Together, these new campuses represent our community’s continued growth and investment in the future of our children.
More than 56,000 students have now returned to classrooms across Huntsville City Schools, Madison City Schools, and Madison County Schools, each with unique talents, dreams, and unlimited potential. Their success is made possible because of the incredible support they receive from dedicated educators, families, volunteers, businesses, and community partners who believe in the power of public education.
At The Schools Foundation, we are proud to stand alongside all three school systems as we work together to create opportunities that inspire students and strengthen our community. Here’s to a wonderful school year filled with learning, achievement, and the belief that together, we can help every child reach for the stars.
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Sincerely,
Jeanne Baird Greer
| | Mission: 4th Grade Has Launched! | | |
This fall marks the exciting launch of Mission Fourth Grade, a new community-wide initiative designed to ensure that every fourth-grade student in Madison County has the opportunity to explore STEM through hands-on learning and an unforgettable visit to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Before the school year even began, more than 90 fourth-grade teachers from Huntsville City Schools gathered at the Space & Rocket Center for specialized professional development led by the Space Center’s Education Department. Each teacher returned to the classroom equipped with engaging STEM lessons and hands-on STEM kits provided by Free 2 Teach, allowing students to begin exploring science, engineering, and Huntsville’s remarkable history in space exploration.
Throughout November and December, students will bring their classroom learning to life during field trips that will inspire curiosity, connect them to the rich history of the Rocket City, and introduce them to future STEM career possibilities.
We are deeply grateful to Lockheed Martin, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville's National Space Club, Iron Mountain Solutions, Sentar, and CFD Research, whose generous support is helping make this vision a reality. We are also thankful for the many partners and community supporters who are helping launch this mission for the next generation of explorers.
| | | Huntsville City Schools Instructional Leadership Academy! | | |
Congratulations to the newest cohort of educators who have successfully completed the HCS Instructional Leadership Academy!
The academy is designed to prepare aspiring school leaders by providing insight into the many facets of educational leadership and administration. Throughout the program, participants learned directly from HCS instructional leaders, gaining valuable knowledge about the day-to-day responsibilities and opportunities that come with leading a school.
We are proud of these educators for investing in their professional growth and helping build the next generation of leaders for Huntsville City Schools!
| | Madison County Schools: Ignite 2026! | | |
The Schools Foundation was excited to support IGNITE 2026! through our Elevate our Educators program!
Approximately 1,600 certified educators from all 31 Madison County Schools campuses came together for IGNITE 2026! Back-to-School Institute.
For the first time in seven years, all of MCSS teachers were back together in person. And for the first time in district history, every certified employee gathered in one place for a districtwide day of professional development. Superintendent, Mr. Ken Kubik, thanked educators on behalf of thousands of Madison County students and families, recognizing the early mornings, late afternoons, patience, compassion, encouragement, and countless moments of service that often go unseen.
Keynote speaker, Jason Parks - Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, challenged the team to lift others up, inspire hope, find those who may feel overlooked, and empower people to step confidently into their future. His message reminded us that people need to know they matter, believe tomorrow can be better, feel seen, and have the confidence to step into their future.
MCSS is off to a very powerful start!
| | Madison City Schools Opens the New Russell Branch Elementary School for the 2026-2027 School Year! | |
The new school year ushered in a new school, Russell Branch Elementary. MCS also has a new superintendent, Mr. Eric Terrell. Mr. Terrell is starting his 24th year in MCS, including the past nine years as assistant superintendent.
Across the district, teachers, principals, and staff members embraced the new year with smiles, creative welcomes and a dedication to serve. MCS is excited to see all the great things their students and schools will be accomplishing this year!
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Investing in Our Students | | |
The Schools Foundation proudly congratulates Joseph Michael Steber, a graduate of Huntsville High School and recipient of the Marshall Keith Scholarship. Joseph will continue his education at Auburn University, where he plans to pursue a degree in Pre-Civil Engineering. We commend Joseph on this achievement and wish him continued success as he begins this exciting next chapter of his academic journey.
The Marshall Keith, Jr. Scholarship honors the legacy of a Huntsville native and member of the Huntsville High School Class of 1953. Affectionately known as “Buddy” to his friends, Keith is remembered for his creativity and passion for the arts, including cartooning, poetry, music, and theater. As a young adult, he worked as a technical employee at Redstone Arsenal/NASA and became involved in Huntsville’s early civil rights movement. Through this scholarship, his legacy of creativity, service, and commitment to the Huntsville community continues to inspire future generations of students.
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