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What is Adopt-A-Class?

The Adopt-A- Class program is a very unique program in which a local business or organization commits to work with a specific class on raising funds for scholarships. The business partner agrees to commit to one fundraiser per year and to participate in the annual Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation’s Telethon with an up-front donation for that class. All monies raised are allocated for that class, invested, and made available in scholarship aid in the spring of the year of graduation from high school. Since 1999, the Adopt-A-Class Program has raised and awarded over $169,000 to 181 Burlington High School seniors. Five of these business partners are participating in the program for a second and/or third time.

How does the Adopt-A- Class program work?

The program is made up entirely of parent and student volunteers and the business partner. Together, they organize and run a yearly fundraiser (i.e., bake sale, dance, raffle, car wash, etc.) All funds raised at the fundraisers and at the yearly telethon for that class are deposited into an account that is held by the Town of Burlington Treasurer’s Office .

The Point System

Points are awarded to the students and/or their parents who volunteer their time. A manual is kept for each class with the hours that they have volunteered. These events must be approved by the Adopt-A-Class committee in order to receive credit and an official sign in sheet must be returned to the AAC committee. In the spring of the senior year, all points from the past years are added and the funds are distributed based on the number of points you have earned. The more time you have volunteered, the larger the potential scholarship. These scholarships do not consider academic or athletic achievement; it is an equal opportunity for all students.

Adopt A Class Opportunities – Sign up to earn your points needed for
Adopt a Class scholarships.  All high school students need to volunteer a
minimum of 2 hours per year to qualify for an Adopt A Class Scholarship. 
Sign ups in BHS Main Office.

**Parents of elementary and middle school students only will receive credit for hours worked at the October 23 event.  Please email dkeene@burlmass.org if you are interested in volunteering.  All other events are for high school student only.

What is the Burlington Community
Scholarship Foundation?

The Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation was started in 1988 and is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization administered by a Board of Directors consisting of non-salaried volunteers. The Foundation was established by virtue of a vote of town meeting to accept a piece of state legislation allowing it to affix a tax check-off box on tax bills enabling residents to contribute to the endowment fund. Besides being a Town organization, it is also a Dollars for Scholars chapter of ScholarshipAmerica, named by Smart Money as one of the top ten non-profit organizations in the country for efficiency of operation. The BCSF oversees the Adopt-A-Class program.  

What is the present status of the Foundation?

The endowment fund has reached $1,380,000 and, to date, scholarships in the amount of $612,300 have been awarded to 416 students and 52 adults in the community.

How can you become involved?

You can join a committee or receive further information by calling Debbie Keene @ 781-273-7693 or Robyn Miliano @ 781-273-4849 or through our email address: bcsf@burlmass.org.

Current Sponsor Status &

EVENTS

If you are interested, please contact 
Parent Coordinator Denise Griffin at 
denisegri@alumni.tufts.edu