A Better Chance of New Canaan Program

A visible foundation of our program is a comfortable home in New Canaan, CT, within walking distance of town, stores, movie theater, churches, parks, transportation, and school.

Our home accommodates eight students, three resident tutors, Resident Directors. A full kitchen is managed by a part-time chef who prepares healthy weekday evening meals. Meals are served family-style around a large dining room table with students, resident directors and family, and tutors participating.

Dinnertime conversation is lively with news of the day, talk about school, sports, college plans, and it often includes guests from the community who drop-in with little notice.

An important by-product of our family atmosphere and frequent interaction with others in the community is that our students see that respect for one another and spirited interaction can include teens, adults, and teachers no matter their age, backgrounds, or skin color.

Students’ rooms upstairs include desks and study area. Quiet study areas on the first floor are equipped with desktop computers and printers. Resident Directors and tutors supervise evening study periods, provide academic help and practical advice throughout the school year
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The pillar of our program is a four-year high school experience at New Canaan High School which is among the leading public high schools in the United States. The high school facility has recently completed a major expansion and modernization program.

New Canaan High School’s mission is to create the conditions which encourage all students to excel. The school strives to ensure that students play an active role in their education, are guided by rigorous academic standards, and function within a community that regards students, educators, and parents as full participants in the educational process.

The school is dedicated to the realization of a supportive learning environment that nurtures growth, personal integrity, and mutual respect.

New Canaan High School is led by Principal Tony Pavia, with the strong and generous support of the Town of New Canaan and its Board of Education led by Superintendent of Schools Dr. David E. Abbey.

Integral to our program is academic guidance with special attention given to the individual needs of each student. Academic progress and personal development of our A Better Chance students is closely monitored by high school administration, teachers, guidance counselors, and by A Better Chance of New Canaan’s volunteer Board of Directors to ensure that every student exceeds by his own efforts the required grade point average and earns a place in a college of his choice.

A Better Chance Host Parents are the keystone of our program. Eight New Canaan families open their homes and hearts to our students each year. Students spend most Sundays and one full weekend each month with their host family.

Sundays sometimes include church attendance, family activities, and homework with other children of host families. Some host families and students begin life-long relationships with their four-year partnerships in New Canaan.

The generous gift of time and caring given by our host families is fundamental to the success of our A Better Chance students.Our program also depends heavily on the generosity of New Canaan’s community organizations including the YMCA, nine churches, youth groups, recreation league sports teams, arts and theater groups, volunteer ambulance corp, and more who offer financial support, services and fellowship as well as service opportunities that our students are encouraged to participate in.