A Better Chance of Andover is committed to building a program grounded in equity, respect, and accountability. This commitment extends beyond our mission to our governance, policies, and daily practices.

Board members, staff, and key volunteers participate in ongoing anti-bias and cultural competency training to deepen awareness, reduce harm, and strengthen how we support Scholars and one another. This work informs decision-making across admissions, residential life, academics, and community engagement.

ABC of Andover also works to ensure that policies, communications, and volunteer expectations reflect inclusive practices and clear standards of conduct. We continuously review our structures to reduce bias, clarify roles, and create a safe, supportive environment for Scholars.

This internal work is essential to sustaining a program where students of color can thrive and where the broader community is held to shared expectations of respect and responsibility.

The town of Andover has made a public commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2020, Andover DIVERSE was launched as a town-wide initiative focused on building a more inclusive and equitable community. Through engagement with residents, communities of faith, communities of color, and public and private school leaders, the town established DEI priorities and expanded educational programming with a focus on implicit bias, equity, and anti-racism. To ensure sustained progress, the town has funded a dedicated position to lead this work.

Board members and staff from A Better Chance of Andover are active contributors in these efforts and are regularly sought out as community leaders on social justice and inclusion.

Andover’s faith communities have also played a visible role. Many congregations welcome ABC Scholars, and several have longstanding commitments to racial and social justice. In June 2020, clergy from multiple faith traditions came together in solidarity to affirm that Black lives matter and to call on the community to engage in the work required to achieve racial equity.

That same summer, Merrimack Valley Black and Brown Voices and Allies hosted Andover’s first Juneteenth celebration, honoring the Black community in the Merrimack Valley. The event has since grown into annual town-wide celebrations, including family events and a Juneteenth block party.

Andover Public Schools has expanded its focus on equity and inclusion over the past decade. In 2015, the district established the Cultural Climate Committee (C3) to foster inclusivity, equity, and appreciation of cultural diversity across all schools. Each school uses the C3 framework to address its unique cultural needs.

In 2020, the district adopted an Educational Equity Policy aimed at eliminating practices and structures that contribute to unequal outcomes based on student identity. The policy emphasizes identity-safe classrooms and high-quality instruction for all students.

Andover High School offers a range of DEI-focused student organizations and academic programs, many of which have been shaped or led by ABC Scholars. These include the Diversity Club, Black Student Union, DEI Committee, and Amigos Unidos. Through these groups, students engage in education, advocacy, cultural celebration, and community outreach.

ABC Scholars have played leadership roles in advancing equity at AHS, including founding and leading student organizations and completing capstone projects focused on equity in education. Their impact has extended beyond the high school, inspiring similar clubs at the middle school level.

In the classroom, AHS offers courses such as Race and Membership, Latin American Studies for Social Justice, and Democracy and Media Literacy. Across disciplines, both required and elective courses examine issues of race, diversity, and equity. More than 200 students also participate in the Global Pathways program, exploring United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and developing the skills needed to engage as informed global citizens.