To: School Administrators, Guidance Counselors and Teachers

Founded in 1963, the national A Better Chance organization focuses on a single goal: to substantially increase the number of well-educated minority youth capable of assuming positions of responsibility and leadership in American society.

It does not give scholarships. Rather, it matches students with schools by referring academically talented students entering grades 6 through 11 to some of the nation’s finest private and public schools to be considered for placement and financial aid.

ABC’s roster of member schools includes residential community school programs with public high schools as well as private boarding and day schools.

Public high schools in the Community Schools Program – Public. Students come from outside the community and live together during the school year in a family-style residence with a resident director. Schools do not charge tuition, and community programs often offer assistance with fees and costs. So, costs to scholars’ families are often less than those of independent day and boarding school programs.
Independent day schools – Private. Students live at home and commute daily. Schools often offer scholarships and assistance with fees.
Independent boarding schools – Private. Students come from across the country and live at school in dormitories. Schools often offer scholarships and assistance with fees.

Westport, CT, a suburban community, supports a Community School Program for boys. ABC of Westport combines an education at Staples High School, one of the nation’s pre-eminent public schools, with a home-style residential program in a single-family home headed by resident directors. The program receives unqualified support from the entire Westport community. A student’s experience at ABC of Westport provides a foundation for a well-balanced life and successful future.

The application process requires your support. You or your designee should identify a student by May of 7th grade for admission to our ninth grade program. For more information on the application process, click here.

If you know of a student who would be a good candidate for A Better Chance of Westport, speak to him and his family in a timely way. Sharing these materials and assisting the student and his family in accessing Web-based resources would be one good place to start.

For more information, contact Helene Crawford, ABC of Westport Board of Directors, Recruitment Committee Chair at helenekc@optonline.net or by telephone at 203-227-2572.