Program Overview
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. During our 56 years in operation, over 150 alumni have gone on to college. ABC of Andover graduates went on to lead in their communities as educators, doctors, business leaders, lawyers, admissions and financial aid officers, accountants, social workers and professionals in a wide range of fields.
Let us introduce you to the program in this short video.
Why ABC of Andover?
Hear directly from Sherita, a parent of one of our alumni, on why her family chose ABC of Andover for Kijari’s high school experience.
Why We Chose ABC of Andover
So Much Beyond High School Classes
Amazing Network of Support
Academics
ABC of Andover scholars are expected to challenge themselves in the Andover High classroom as they prepare for college.
The program provides an array of resources to help Scholars be successful and offers a broad range of opportunities including:
Each Scholar is assigned an ABC Academic Advisor who provides one-on-one assistance with study skills, academic planning, course selection, advocacy with teachers and guidance counselor, coordination with tutors and extracurricular and volunteer opportunities.
Beginning junior year, Scholars meet weekly with a professional College Counselor who assists with developing college lists, the college application process, writing college essays, interview prep, financial aid and scholarships.
Each Scholar receives one year of private weekly tutoring for standardized test prep.
The AHS schedule includes an advisory/enrichment hour for scholars to seek extra help from faculty when needed or participate in enrichment activity.
AHS offers a wide variety of electives, many Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and even a Dual Enrollment Program where students can take college-level courses and earn credit before graduating high school.
Scholars are encouraged to actively engage in their community and participate in community service.
ABC of Andover has developed a Financial Literacy program so Scholars leave the program well informed on important financial matters.
Many ABC of Andover graduates have been admitted to universities and colleges with full financial packages, including Barnard, Notre Dame, University of Southern California, Villanova, Boston University, American University, Williams College, Bentley University, Trinity College and Syracuse.
A new college loan reduction scholarship program funded by an ABC of Andover supporter, ONLY for ABC of Andover Scholars, provides up to $10,000 each year for a maximum of 4 years to reduce any loans included in financial aid packages.
Enrichment and Leadership Activities
ABC Scholars participate in a wide-range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities during the school year. ABC scholars initiated the Diversity Club and the Black Student Union at AHS, play leadership roles with the Town’s DEI Commission, have participated in robotics, GSA, debate team, swim team, track and field, field hockey, student government, service clubs, and more. Many Scholars participate in performing arts at the high school, including an accomplished drama program and competitive show choirs.
Summer academic / enrichment programs are offered, fully funded through scholarships and ABC of Andover. Recent programs attended include 1-2 week pre-college academic courses at Brown, Notre Dame, and Harvard; Catholic University’s High School Drama Institute; and design programs at Savanah College of Art & Design and Temple University.
Scholars have also had the opportunity to participate in a trip abroad with AHS faculty or with “School of the World”. The AHS Global Pathways Scholars program provides the opportunity for students to earn an official certification of global competence, which is becoming increasingly important to success in our interconnected world.
Residence Life
Our residence dorm, affectionately referred to in our community as the ABC House, truly becomes a home away from home for the ABC scholars. Students are assigned to either a double or single room on the second and third floors of the house and share a double bathroom (located on each floor). Resident Assistants live on the floors with the students. Students are encouraged to personalize their rooms while keeping them neat. The students are allowed to utilize the comfortable common areas on the first floor at their leisure although television viewing is limited on school nights.
The Resident Director lives in a three-bedroom apartment attached to the main house, which is easily accessible through the student dining room.
A Day in the Life of an ABC Scholar
7:35 Students catch the bus in front of the ABC house
8:15 First class begins at the high school
2:50 Last class ends
2:50-5:00 Scholars are expected to participate in either an athletic sport or a combination of after school enrichment/club activities during this time.
5:15 Convene at the ABC house
5:30 Family style dinner
6:30-9:30 Mandatory study hours on school nights with the exception of Host Family night.
11:30 Lights-out with later times on Friday and Saturday nights
Students are supervised by the Resident Director or by one or more Resident Assistants, who rotate on-duty hours throughout the week. Students are required to keep the Resident Director informed of their school-related activities and schedule and must get permission if leaving the house for non-academic or social activities. Rides are provided as needed by residence staff or volunteer drivers.
Scholars share dinners together in the dorm, with 4 dinners a week prepared by our program cook. On other nights, Scholars take part in a rotating schedule of DIY dinners or team cooking, and every Sunday, the whole house comes together to cook and share a family-style community meal. At the dorm, the kitchen is always stocked with plenty of healthy essentials, and each Scholar may request one specialty item on the weekly grocery list. Breakfast and lunch are provided by the high school, and Scholars are encouraged to use the kitchen for snacks or to prepare meals if they miss a scheduled dinner. This mix of shared meals, independent cooking, and family-style meals helps Scholars build life skills, strengthen community, and prepare for the independence of college.
The ABC house is a welcoming and comfortable environment and Scholars are encouraged to bring their friends over to visit. Guests are allowed in common rooms only, and students must get approval from the Resident Director if they are inviting guests.
A Health and Wellness Coordinator knowledgeable about the Scholars’ health needs works closely with parents to coordinate any health-related matters and create opportunities for nutrition counseling, exercise, or mental health counseling.
Interested in learning more or applying to our program? Email us!
“I wouldn't have had any of these opportunities, AP classes, SAT prep, sports, clubs, leadership, if I had stayed at home.”
— Fatouma, ABC Graduate