About Us

Excel by 5 is a community-based educational program designed to improve a child's overall well-being by age five.

The first-of-its-kind in the United States, this program emphasizes the important role communities play in educating their children during their most formative years--birth to five.

Funded with a $650,000.00 grant from Chevron, the program is currently in six communities including Cleveland, West Point, Petal, Pascagoula, Monroe County and Mid-Jackson, MS.

Excel by 5 sets forth a variety of standards involving parent training, community participation, child care and health, to help communities focus on supporting young children and their families. The certification process also identifies available resources and existing best practices to help Excel by 5-certified communities reach the goal that all of the children in their community will be ready to learn when they start school at age five.

Annjo Lemons, State Director

Excel by 5
Early Childhood Institute
Mississippi State University
109 Executive Dr Ste. 1
Madison, MS 39110

phone: 601-707-7726
fax: 601-707-7727
annjolemons@bellsouth.net