As our nation strives to have all students that graduate from high school be prepared for college or some other post-secondary learning opportunities, we have to confront the reality that we are far from achieving this goal. The problem is most severe with the economically disadvantaged students. For many students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, learning gaps appear in early childhood. Large numbers of disadvantaged students enter kindergarten behind in early reading and mathematics skills, oral language development, vocabulary, and general knowledge. In cases where the great majority of students are academically behind and need major assistance, the regular academic program must be upgraded to deliver a richer curriculum to all students. Such a curriculum is highly beneficial for all students, but is especially critical for disadvantaged students, who often arrive from home with limited knowledge and vocabulary. School districts must develop a system of practices that enable such a curriculum to be taught effectively. This article discusses ways to strengthen early learning and describes the components necessary for an effective early learning program.