A Better Chance

Mission

Our mission is to increase substantially the number of well-educated young people of color who are capable of assuming positions of responsibility and leadership in American society.


History



In 1963 at the height of the civil rights movement, 23 headmasters of selective independent schools made a mutual commitment to change the profiles and compositions of their student bodies. Through A Better Chance, they would broaden their enrollment to include students of color who were economically disadvantaged but academically able. Chosen for their motivation and demonstrated achievement, 55 students from low-income families were selected to complete their secondary education at these founding independent schools.

A Better Chance Scholars are a racially diverse group. Approximately 65% are African-American; 20% Latino; 6% Asian American; about 1% Native American; and 8% describe themselves as multi-racial or other. Approximately one-third live at or below the federal poverty line, and virtually all come from working class families. More than 65% of our Scholars come from single-parent households. A Better Chance has grown from 55 students enrolled at nine schools to nearly 1,900 students enrolled in 2008/2009 school year.