Mission and History
Our Mission
To reduce inequity in education by providing young Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) academic and leadership opportunities.
Our 55+ Year A Better Chance Program
A Better Chance of Andover provides academically talented young women of color an opportunity to grow, thrive, and become leaders. Accepted Scholars attend nationally accredited Andover High School and have access to its expansive college preparatory and leadership programs. The Scholars live in a dormitory setting on Main Street and are supported by academic advisors, college counselors, a host family, and a community of volunteers. To date, over 150 alumni have gone on to college.
Hear directly from our students, alumni and volunteers about A Better Chance.
A Better Chance of Andover History
Started in 1967 with a vote of support from Andover’s Town Meeting, A Better Chance of Andover is the longest operating A Better Chance Community School Program in the country. It began with 10 young men from rural and urban communities seeking a better education and more opportunities. In the mid-1970s, the program began admitting young women and in 1984 became an all-girl program. Alumni not only challenged themselves academically while at Andover High School, many also won a multitude of academic awards and recognitions, set sports records, performed community service, participated and started new clubs, and were leaders on school committees and boards.
In the 55+ years of opening doors for academically talented BIPOC students to become leaders, A Better Chance of Andover graduates are now educators, doctors, business leaders, lawyers, admissions and financial aid officers, accountants, social workers, teachers, and professionals in a wide range of fields. When alumni visit Andover, they often share their gratitude for the program that has made a difference in their lives.
A Better Chance of Andover graduates have been giving back in many different ways—some have served as Resident Directors at other A Better Chance programs, some have served on the board of directors for A Better Chance programs including our own program, and other non-profit organizations, and some have become host parents for A Better Chance scholars. Most importantly, these alumni show us all that one can achieve when given a better chance.
Read more about the fascinating and courageous start of A Better Chance in the town of Andover.