Founded in 2018, the Association of Bulgarian Schools in America (ABSA) is the only U.S. advocacy organization dedicated to supporting community-based Bulgarian language schools nationwide.
Our partner schools typically hold classes on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) and are often called “weekend” or “Saturday/Sunday” schools. They serve students from preschool through high school, as well as adult learners.
Our history
ABSA was founded by representatives of Bulgarian language schools in Seattle, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Texas to create a forum for sharing experiences and best practices tailored to the unique needs of community-based language schools. Since 2018, ABSA has grown to include the majority of Bulgarian language schools across the United States.
Today, these schools enroll a broad range of students — native speakers, heritage learners, and those studying Bulgarian as a foreign language — and present a contemporary portrayal of Bulgaria’s modern European culture and innovation. Although they operate outside national and state education systems, they enrich the U.S. educational landscape, where Bulgarian has rarely been offered in public or private schools.
Most schools teach Bulgarian across all proficiency levels — A1 to C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and Novice to Advanced on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scale — and many prepare students for the Bulgarian Proficiency Exam ALTA, offered by the Association of Bulgarian Schools in America.
ABSA has promoted initiatives such as introducing the State and Global Seals of Biliteracy at member schools. ABSA is the only U.S. organization authorized to award the Global Seal of Biliteracy in Bulgarian at the professional proficiency level. We also collaborate with the National Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools, ACTFL, numerous universities, and other partners
Student Recognition Gallery: Celebrating Fluency in English and Bulgarian - Global Seal of Biliteracy Certificate Recipients
Check out which Bulgarian schools they are coming from.
Bulgarian School of Seattle, WA
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Botev Academy, Washington D.C.
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Richmond Academy, VA
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Khan Asparuh, CA
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Znanie, Illinois
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Rodolubie, Illinois
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Atlanta, GA
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Oregon State
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First Bulgarian School "Elin Pelin", Houston, Texas
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Bulgarian School of Seattle, WA 〰️ Botev Academy, Washington D.C. 〰️ Richmond Academy, VA 〰️ Khan Asparuh, CA 〰️ Znanie, Illinois 〰️ Rodolubie, Illinois 〰️ Atlanta, GA 〰️ Oregon State 〰️ First Bulgarian School "Elin Pelin", Houston, Texas 〰️
This is what we offer.
FOR STUDENTS
There are Bulgarian Schools all over the country. We help connect you to the proper education for the language. Our goal is to make learning Bulgarian as easy as possible.
FOR SCHOOLS
Our partner schools typically hold classes on Saturdays or Sundays, therefore, often referred to as “Saturday -Sunday Schools”. They serve children from preschool through high school as well as adults. We are committed to the idea the Bulgarian Schools in the United States are able to work together to elevate Bulgarian language education.