CELEBRATING 21 YEARS OF CHANGING LIVES THROUGH EDUCATION
WHO WE ARE
A Better Chance of Westport provides educational opportunities to academically-gifted and highly motivated young men of color.
Since 2002, A Better Chance of Westport has been giving outstanding and academically-gifted young men of color, the opportunity to pursue their goals of receiving a premier high school education. With the support of their families, the scholars apply to this program in the hopes of achieving a promising future. Through their experiences attending Staples High School, one of Connecticut’s and the nation’s top performing high schools, and in their involvement with the Westport community, these young men will assume positions of responsibility and leadership in American society by leading the way not only for themselves but also for others who will follow.
ABC Westport Goals:
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Provide opportunity to a select group of young scholars of color to live in the Westport community and to study in Westport’s outstanding public high school
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Develop the scholars into future leaders at the collegiate, professional and community levels
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Increase diversity in the Westport community
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Involve the scholars in various aspects of community life (volunteering, community events, host family program)
“I would tell a prospective student to work hard, have fun and look at this at a stepping stone to something bigger."
Emmerson Lovell
Staples High School class of 2012
Duke University ’16
Howard University School of Law ’19
Staples High School
ABC Westport scholars attend Staples High School. Staples, founded in 1884, a comprehensive public high school in Westport, CT serving grades 9-12 with an enrollment of 1,700 student and 200 faculty members. Staples is credited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and consistently ranked as one of the top high schools in Connecticut. 38 varsity teams compete in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC). There is an active participation in vibrant art, music, theater, and media programs and over 100 co-curricular activities. Staples currently offers 25 AP and 36 honors courses.
Scholars reside in the Glendarcy House located less than a mile from Staples High School and situated on over an acre of land. Athletic fields are conveniently located a short distance away. The house itself has four bedrooms for the scholars, located on the lower level. Each bedroom can house two scholars, and is similar to a typical dorm room at a college. There is also a common area on this level and rec room, as well as bathrooms, showers and two laundry facilities. Upstairs, there is a kitchen, living room and dining room, as well as a suite for the resident directors.
Ways to Get Involved
Linking the Scholars and the Community
Every Dollar Makes a Difference
Get involved in a committee, the mentor group, volunteer driver and more