Apply
Prospective students apply to National A Better Chance in New York City which serves as a clearing house and pre-screens all applicants from across the country to all ABC affiliated programs. The application process for a potential student begins in the Spring of 7th grade. If an applicant wants his application referred to the Simsbury ABC Program, he should list this request in the application section for school options.
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A Better Chance Simsbury is a Community School Program and offers many unique advantages. Students experience the independence of being away from home, yet at the same time there are supervised study hours, family meals and Resident Directors who monitor daily the well-being of each student.
Eligibility requirements for National ABC and/or Simsbury ABC include the following:
You identify as a person of color.
You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
You are a rising 9th or 10th grade male student.
The ideal candidate for A Better Chance:
Has an overall academic average of a B+ or higher.
Consistently performs at or above grade level in math and English.
Participates in extracurricular activities.
Demonstrates leadership potential.
Cannot be the child of one of A Better Chance's Alumni.
A Better Chance reserves the right to use income as a criterion for eligibility to best serve those in need of our services.
After applications have been reviewed, Simsbury ABC will determine which applicants to interview and invite for an in-person visit.
During the visit, we:
Interview both the prospective student and his parents,
Give them a tour of the town and high school,
And have the student stay overnight at the Simsbury ABC house.
This gives the prospective student and current students a chance to get to know each other. After the interview and visit, Simsbury ABC determines whether to offer the applicant an opportunity to join the program.