What We Do
A Better Chance of Westport, Inc. is in suburban Westport, CT, about one hour by train from New York City. Westport’s outstanding ABC program for young men is a different kind of learning and living experience.
The program starts with a top-notch education at Staples High School, “one of the best public high schools in the nation” according to the Wall St. Journal.
Staples High School is a highly ranked public school with a broad offering of academics, including Advanced Placement courses; extracurricular activities, including music, art and theater; and an extensive sports program. Students are encouraged to attend college and can rely on comprehensive resources for college guidance. Staples graduates attend competitive colleges and demonstrate leadership in their professions.
ABC of Westport scholars share a home-like environment with each other, supervised by resident directors, at Glendarcy House, a single-family house about a half-mile from Staples. This is a major contrast to living in a boarding school dormitory during the school year or commuting from their own neighborhoods.
Each scholar spends weekend time at a “home away from home” with local volunteer host families and becomes part of the community through family activities. The program takes into account scholars’ interests in religious worship.
In addition, they benefit from a caring and encouraging community that wants to see its ABC scholars excel at school and succeed in life. At ABC of Westport, scholars learn to live a well-balanced life.
ABC of Westport is one of the newer Community School Programs, enrolling its first scholars in 2002-2003.
Dozens of volunteers from the entire Westport community came together to raise money to buy and remodel Glendarcy House and launch the program. Dozens more now form the local board of directors to raise the annual budget, provide program funding and academic support, maintain the residence, oversee volunteer efforts from the broader community and stay in touch with parents.
The ABC of Westport program has the full support of the community, from town government and school administrators to the thousands of Westport families, businesses, churches, synagogues and organizations who give money, time and effort to make it possible.
