Foundation

On January 30, 1999, the first Bulgarian school in the area of Boston opened its doors in the town of Woburn. The school is named after the two Holy Brothers ‘St. St. Cyril and Methodius’. Established by patriotic Bulgarians in order to preserve the Bulgarian language and culture, it acts on the principle of the schools from the Revival era - it is supported and developed mainly through voluntary work and funding from the Bulgarians from the community.

The school's programs include Bulgarian (written and spoken), literature, geography, and history. There are two branches - in Boston and Cape Cod.

During these twenty years of working together, parents, teachers, and school management managed to build an organization where hundreds of Bulgarian children abroad learned to read and write in Bulgarian. They are also exposed to the rich culture and history of Bulgaria through cultural events and activities organized by the school.

Registration

At the end of 2001, the school registered as a non-profit organization under IRS Article 501 (c) (3). Through this registration, the institution may receive donations that are exempt from federal and state income taxes.

Formalization

In May 2008, the school began issuing diplomas certified by the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington. This marked the beginning of the formalization of the school’s education.

In 2009, 2010, and 2011, the school participated in the program "Mother Language and Culture Abroad" organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria. Under this program, it received funding for renting space, textbooks, assisting materials, textbooks, transportation, and developing extra-curricular activities such as folk dances and theatre group. 

In addition, the diplomas of children who graduated from the school during this period are certified by the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the United States and have the value of an official document certifying completion of classes in Bulgarian language and history.

In 2007, the school became a co-founder of the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad (ABSA), along with schools in Chicago, Washington, London, Vienna, Hamburg and Cyprus. ABSA combined the efforts of these schools and subsequently helped to create many new schools. ABSA is the main representative of these schools before the Bulgarian government. As a result of the work of ABSA in the following years, huge progress was achieved in the relationship with the Ministry of Education and Science.

One of the most important successes in the work of ABSA is the adoption of Decree No. 334 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria in 2011, which grants the diplomas for completed classes issued by the school to be recognized in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian School "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" was one of the first to receive a license from the Ministry of Education and Science under Decree 334 for the school year 2012/2013 for Bulgarian language, literature, and history classes. Children who complete the school and receive diplomas do not need to have equalizing exams if they wish to continue their studies in Bulgaria. According to the Decree, diplomas are endorsed by the school’s administration.

Growth

In 2012/2013 the number of children enrolled in the school for regular classes exceeded 100. This is a testimony of success for the work of teachers, parents and the board in the eve of the 15th anniversary of the foundation of the school.

In 2014/2015, the school opened a second branch in Cape Cod, which enrolled more than 40 children. The branch was created in response to the demand of the Bulgarian community there, which had grown significantly in recent years. A total of 180 children were educated in both branches during this school year.

Library

The school has its own library, filled with Bulgarian books. The library is funded by donations of parents and other patriotic Bulgarians. Some of the materials were received by the Agency for Bulgarians Abroad.

Cultural events

 The school organizes celebrations for Christmas and the national holidays Liberation Day of Bulgaria on March 3rd and the Day of Bulgarian Literature and Culture on May 24th.

The school also participates in joint events with the Bulgarian Center in New England, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church ‘St. Petka’, and other organizations of the Bulgarian community in the greater-Boston area.