Initiated in 1985, the Adopt-A-School program is an effective grassroots partnership between education and the business and private sectors of Tuscaloosa County. The purpose of the program is to utilize the vast amounts of human resources and talents of the business community to strengthen, enhance, and enrich the quality of education in our 55 public schools of the Tuscaloosa City and Tuscaloosa County School systems.
A joint partnership between The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and the Tuscaloosa City and Tuscaloosa County School Systems, the program has created an effective working relationship between the business and industrial community and the local school systems and has become an expected part of our community’s educational fabric connecting business and education. Businesses and organizations may choose to participate in the program as an ADOPTER by partnering with a specific school, by sponsoring the overall program financially as a SUSTAINER, or by supporting the annual Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Adopt-A-School Golf Tournament.
A strong public school system is basic to the health and growth of a community. Quality schools attract people to live in the area. The Adopt-A-School program strengthens and improves our schools, creates a climate of involvement and interaction between businesses and schools and involves the community in preparing for its own economic future. We are growing our own workforce. The successful business-education partnership program proves that corporate America and our school systems can work cooperatively to make a positive impact in our community. The businesses involved get a great experience being part of the program plus returns on the investment, including important exposure.
Adopters initiate activities that encourage students and enrich their educational experiences. While developing strong person-to-person relationships, Adopt-A-School partners engage in a variety of projects in some of the following categories: Adopt-A-School partners set realistic goals that are agreeable to all involved. The overall objectives of the partnership are flexible in order to utilize the resources of the adopter to meet the needs of the school, and each partnership is uniquely designed to bring about positive outcomes for all those involved.
Adopt-A-School is the commitment of time, energy, and expertise of a business or organization to an individual school. The overall objectives of each partnership are flexible and the relationships grow and flourish through a climate of active involvement and interaction between the school and the adopter.
The following criteria are minimum standards for any business or organization serving as an adopter to a school:
An Adopt-A-School investment yields high returns to...
The Company and Its Employees
The Community
While Adopters are paired with a specific school and give support through donated time, expertise, and financial commitments, Sustainers provide the financial support for the overall program. The financial support is necessary for the coordination and administrative function of the entire program, allowing the program to: