For them, Saturdays are made for going to college

Deb Tello, who has already completed her first year of Bay Path's ''Saturday College'' program, spoke to new students during an orientation at Burlington High School. (Travis Dove/Globe Correspondent)

For years, Deb Tello ran a day-care center out of her Wilmington home and dreamed about working in a classroom. But without a college degree, she knew it would be impossible to land a full-time teaching job, and working part-time as a substitute wouldn't pay the bills.

Time and again, the 47-year-old mother of three took a hard look at her life and decided that college just didn't fit in. At first, her children were too young. As they got older, the bills grew, too, and Tello and her husband figured the tuition costs would break the family budget. As the children started to venture out on their own, she reasoned it would take too long to earn the bachelor's degree required to teach in a local classroom.

Then fate stepped in and delivered the answer to her door. Literally. A pamphlet arrived in the mail, announcing the introduction of the region's first "Saturday College." The accelerated degree program was designed with the needs of working women in mind. Offered at Bay Path College's Burlington campus, it required a one-day per week commitment and promised a degree in one to 3 1/2 years. The clincher: Financial aid was guaranteed.

"When I got that little brochure in the mail, I really had no intention of going to college," said Tello. "I had put the thought out of my mind. But I was intrigued, so I decided to call anyway."

Soon, she had worked up the courage to attend an information session about the One-Day-A-Week Saturday College, and she was sold. Now, with her "freshman" year behind her, she is on track to graduate in 2 1/2 years and happy to share her story with other incoming students, women like herself who dream of transforming their lives. Classes begin in Burlington on Saturday; registration is ongoing year-round.

First offered at Bay Path's Longmeadow campus in 1999, the Saturday College was expanded last fall to the satellite campus in Burlington, which is housed at Burlington High School. Classes are also offered at the school's Central Massachusetts campus, just east of Sturbridge.

Bay Path is the only college in New England to offer such a program, designed specifically for women, says Melissa J. Chabot, director of admissions at Bay Path. To date, the Saturday College program boasts nearly 1,000 graduates.

Students take two preselected courses every six weeks, year-round, with a one-week break between sessions. Classes are not held on holiday weekends or during the month of August. Each course brings students three credits closer to their degree. Over the course of a year, students may earn as many as 36 college credits.

"Every year, 300 to 400 women join the program across the state," said Diane Rinaldi, dean of graduate and continuing education admissions at Bay Path. "It's a huge, life-changing event for women who wouldn't have an opportunity to graduate if it weren't for an accelerated program like this."

At the Burlington campus, three bachelor degree programs are offered, in business, liberal arts, and elementary education. Associate degrees are also offered. Students take classes from 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break built into the schedule.

According to Rinaldi, most of the women in the Saturday College enter the program with transfer credits. They have attended college in the past, but were unable to finish their studies.

In an effort to ensure the women realize their goal of earning a degree, Bay Path strives to keep each incoming group of students together. Doing so helps the women get to know one another and inspires friendships beyond the classroom. That philosophy seemingly has paid off: The Saturday College boasts an 85 percent retention rate, impressive for continuing education programs.

"At Bay Path, I found a sense of camaraderie and healthy competition," said Kim Boutin, 38, who earned her bachelor's degree in business in March 2007. A former aerobics instructor, she now works as a financial life coach at a credit union near her hometown of Chicopee. "Networking at Bay Path is what led me to my current job. My boss, the CEO at the credit union, was a fellow student."

In addition to the sense of community, Bay Path offers a wide range of support services to its Saturday students, from in-person and online tutoring to workshops in time management and study skills. Staff is available six days a week and the program is free of fees - alleviating much of the stress associated with higher education costs. Tuition for each class is $1,350. There are no hidden expenses.

"Bay Path has become my home away from home," said Tello, giggling. "Going to class is the highlight of my week. I just love it. I get to get out of the house and do something just for me. Thanks to Bay Path, I'll be teaching in a classroom by the time I'm 50. I only wish this program had been around when my children were younger. Teaching would have come along in my life much sooner."

Bay Path College's Burlington campus is scheduled to host two information sessions about the One-Day-A-Week Saturday College. Both sessions will be held Wednesday on Sept. 17 at 123 Cambridge St. The first session begins at 5 p.m.; the second at 7 p.m. For more information or to register, call 781-272-0222 or e-mail burlington@baypath.edu.

Brenda J. Buote can be reached at bbuote@comcast.net.