Message from the Executive Director

As we close another wonderful school year, we are filled with gratitude for the students, educators, administrators, families, and community partners who continue to make public education in our community so special. This year, The Schools Foundation was proud to support impactful initiatives across Huntsville City Schools, Madison City Schools, and Madison County Schools. From providing professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators, to expanding early literacy training through Orton-Gillingham instruction, supporting National Board Certification through Raise Your Hand, funding STEM opportunities, and helping students participate in athletics, arts, and extracurricular activities through Patrons & Players and All-Star Abilities, this year has been filled with meaningful growth and opportunity for both students and educators. None of this would be possible without the incredible generosity and support of our community.

One of the greatest joys of May is celebrating graduation season, and last week our communities came together to honor the accomplishments of graduating seniors across all three school systems. Watching students walk across the stage reminded us that every graduate represents years of hard work, encouragement, perseverance, and support from countless teachers, families, and mentors along the way. These ceremonies were not only celebrations of academic achievement, but also celebrations of hope, resilience, and bright futures ahead. We congratulate every member of the Class of 2026 and thank all those who helped guide them to this important milestone. The future of our community is certainly in good hands.

Flint River Overlook Becomes a Reality at Riverton Elementary School!

Riverton Elementary School recently celebrated the opening of the Flint River Overlook with a ribbon-cutting that marked the completion of a project years in the making.

The project first began when Riverton Elementary’s Green Team, led by Dr. Rachel Evans, envisioned what this space could become. Rebecca Betancourt, Karen Allen, Samantha Maynor, Mary Eimer, Katy Souder, Roxy Rose, Dr. Evans, and then-Principal Mr. Jeff Malone hiked through the woods behind the school to determine where the overlook could one day stand.

The Madison County Commission bulldozed the trees that once kept the river hidden from view and laid seed and straw to help prepare the site that exists today. Mr. Eimer created the very first sketch of the overlook, helping transform ideas into a tangible design.

Together, the project team secured more than $57,000 through grants and contributions from the Monsanto Rural Education Fund through Bayer, Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District, Alabama Wildlife Federation, Optimist Club of Huntsville, HATS STEDTRAIN STEM Grant, TVA, community donations, and school partnerships, with Mrs. Katy Souder serving as the current grant writer for the project.



This ribbon cutting represented the celebration of years of collaboration and the many individuals who believed in the project strongly enough to continue moving it forward through changing roles, evolving leadership, and countless stages of development.

Madison City Schools Teachers receive $10,000 in Grants From the Optimist Club! 

The Optimist Club in Madison has been a faithful supporter of Madison City Schools and other community organizations throughout its existence. Now, the Madison Optimist Club is about to dissolve, and its leaders wanted to donate its remaining assets to Madison City Schools.

A big thank you to Optimist Club leaders Vic and Ann van Leeuwen for their generous support through the years. Tonight, they presented nearly $10,000 in grants to teachers across the district to use for various school programs and purposes.

Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols gave heartfelt thanks to the van Leeuwens (Ann once served as mayor and a school librarian!) for their years of community service and support for schools.



Teachers receiving the final grants posed with the van Leeuwens for a picture outside the Central Office.

HCS Receives $50,000 Meta Grant!

HCS has been awarded a $50,000 META Community Action Grant to expand and enhance STEM lab experiences across all HCS middle schools. This investment will support the implementation of Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum, along with updated equipment designed to strengthen students’ skills in robotics, engineering, and problem-solving. 

PLTW is a nationally recognized STEM program that provides hands-on, project-based learning experiences in areas such as engineering, computer science, and biomedical science. Through PLTW, students engage in real-world problem-solving, collaborative design challenges, and innovative thinking that help build both technical knowledge and essential skills like teamwork and critical thinking.

The grant is designed to spark interest in STEM by giving students engaging, interactive learning experiences that bring concepts to life. Through hands-on labs and real-world challenges, students will have more opportunities to explore, create, and discover their interests in engineering and technology, building excitement that can carry into future coursework and career pathways. The initiative will also ensure all middle schools have access to consistent, high-quality STEM resources and opportunities.



The initiative supports a long-term vision of growing student interest and participation in STEM programs, ultimately helping more students see themselves in STEM-related fields and careers.