Tuscaloosa City Schools Celebrates 25 V.I.P. Adopt-A-School Partnerships

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa City Schools (TCS) on Tuesday announced 25 Adopt-A-School partnerships have earned V.I.P. recognition for their involvement with students, educators and schools during the 2025-26 school year.

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V.I.P., which stands for Very Involved Partnerships, recognizes Adopt-A-School partnerships that demonstrate strong planning, communication, collaboration and engagement throughout the year.

The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama said 62 Adopt-A-School partnerships across the program earned V.I.P. status this year.

The Chamber's Director of Educational Programs Carolyn Tubbs said this is the highest number she has seen during her 24 years working with the program.

According to the Chamber, earning V.I.P. status requires sustained involvement rather than simply providing financial or material resources to a school.

Partnerships are expected to communicate regularly, establish shared goals, participate in Adopt-A-School initiatives and provide experiences supporting areas such as literacy, curriculum, character development, educators and career pathways.

The Adopt-A-School program, an initiative of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, connects businesses and organizations with area schools to provide resources, experiences and other forms of support.

V.I.P. partnerships are formally recognized for their work through the program's annual recognition.

“The partnership the Tuscaloosa City Schools has with the Chamber and West AlabamaWorks! is truly invaluable,” TCS Superintendent Mike Daria said. “From their Adopt-A-School program, to the Educator Workforce Academy, to Worlds of Work and Worlds of Work 2.0, and more, our students and educators benefit every single day through an active relationship with the business community.”

The 25 TCS partnerships receiving V.I.P. recognition are:

• The Alberta School of Performing Arts — Bryant Bank
• Central Elementary — Stillman College
• Central High — Culverhouse College of Business – UA Business LEAD
• Martin L. King Jr. Elementary — BF Goodrich
• Northridge Middle — Alabama Credit Union
• Northridge Middle — Parker Towing Company
• Oakdale Elementary — Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
• Oakdale Elementary — Hunt Refining Company
• Oakdale Elementary — McAbee Construction Inc.
• Oakdale Elementary — Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Beta Eta Chapter
• Paul W. Bryant High — The Charm District
• Paul W. Bryant High — SMP Automotive Systems Alabama Inc./Motherson
• Skyland Elementary — JacQuan D. Winters, REALTOR – Pritchett-Moore Real Estate
• STARS Academy — Alabama Power
• Tuscaloosa Career & Technology Academy — Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa
• Tuscaloosa Career & Technology Academy — McAbee Construction Inc.
• Tuscaloosa Career & Technology Academy — Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc.
• Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools-Elementary — Bailey’s Tiger Rock Martial Arts
• Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools-Middle — A Mother’s Love Youth & Empowerment Organization
• Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools-Middle — The University of Alabama OTIDE
• University Place Elementary — NuBeginnings Church
• Verner Elementary — Riverview Orthodontics
• Verner Elementary — Synovus
• Westlawn Middle — Phifer Incorporated
• Woodland Forrest Elementary — Local Bank

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