A Better Chance Atlanta: What It Is and How It Works for Atlanta Families

If you’re hearing about A Better Chance Atlanta and wondering what it is, you’re most likely a parent, guardian, or student in the Atlanta area looking for strong educational opportunities and support for high-achieving students of color. This guide explains what “A Better Chance” is, how it connects to Atlanta, and what local families can realistically expect and do next.

What Is “A Better Chance”?

A Better Chance (ABC) is a long-running national nonprofit program that helps academically talented students of color access rigorous, college-preparatory education—often at independent schools, boarding schools, and selective public schools.

Key points about A Better Chance:

• Focuses on students of color (typically African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and Asian American students).
• Works with families to help students apply to and enroll in strong middle and high schools.
• Emphasizes academic achievement, leadership, and character.
• Partners with schools across the country, including some in metro Atlanta and the Southeast.

When people say “A Better Chance Atlanta”, they are usually referring to:

1. Atlanta-area students who are part of the national A Better Chance program, and/or
2. Atlanta partner schools and host families connected to the program.

There is not always a large walk-in “A Better Chance Atlanta office” like a government agency. Instead, the work usually happens through:

• The national A Better Chance organization, and
• Local Atlanta-area schools, families, and volunteers who are involved with the program.

How A Better Chance Connects to Atlanta

Atlanta is a major hub for college-bound, high-achieving students of color, so it fits very naturally with the mission of A Better Chance.

In the Atlanta area, the program typically touches:

• Students living in Atlanta or nearby suburbs
• Independent and college-prep schools that enroll A Better Chance scholars
• Host families who may support scholars attending schools away from home
• Alumni and volunteers who live and work in metro Atlanta

Depending on the year and program focus, Atlanta-area students might:

• Apply through A Better Chance to schools in Atlanta, elsewhere in Georgia, or in other states.
• Participate in information sessions, interview days, or virtual events targeted to families in the Atlanta metro region.

Because programs and school partnerships can change, the most current details on how many Atlanta schools are participating or which specific schools are active partners usually come from the national A Better Chance office.

Who A Better Chance Is For in Atlanta

If you’re in the City of Atlanta or the broader metro area, A Better Chance may be relevant if:

• You have a rising 6th–12th grade student (exact grades can vary slightly with program tracks).
• Your student is academically strong or highly motivated, with solid grades and teacher recommendations.
• Your family is open to competitive school environments, including independent day schools, boarding schools, or specialized public options.
• You want additional support navigating school admissions, especially beyond your immediate neighborhood schools.

Atlanta families often look into A Better Chance when:

• They feel their student is outgrowing the rigor of their current school.
• They want access to small classes, strong college counseling, and advanced coursework.
• They’re exploring options beyond the local attendance zone in Atlanta Public Schools or neighboring districts.

What the Process Typically Looks Like for Atlanta Families

While the exact steps can change slightly from year to year, the general experience for an Atlanta-area family interested in A Better Chance often includes the following:

1. Learning About the Program

Families usually start by:

• Visiting the national A Better Chance website to review current eligibility and timelines.
• Attending online information sessions or local outreach events (often promoted by community groups, churches, or school counselors in Atlanta).

2. Checking Eligibility

Common eligibility factors (subject to change) include:

• Academic performance: Consistently strong grades and test scores (if applicable).
• Citizenship or residency: Based on national program requirements.
• Grade level: Typically middle or high school entry points.
• Identity: Being a student of color, aligning with the mission of increasing diversity in selective schools.

Atlanta families are encouraged to review the most up-to-date eligibility description from A Better Chance directly before applying.

3. Submitting an Application

Families in Atlanta usually:

• Complete a centralized application through A Better Chance.
• Provide report cards, test information, recommendations, and essays.
• Indicate what types of schools they’re open to (day schools in metro Atlanta, boarding schools elsewhere, etc.).

Application windows are usually time-sensitive, so Atlanta parents often start gathering documents several months before the deadline.

4. Interview and Assessment

If the student moves forward:

• They may participate in interviews (virtual or in-person, depending on the year and program setup).
• Some students may join assessment activities used by partner schools and the national program.

Atlanta-area events may be hosted at:

• Independent schools in the city or suburbs
• Community centers or local partner organizations
• Or may be fully virtual, depending on logistics

5. School Matching and Admissions

Once the student is in the A Better Chance pipeline:

• The program helps match the student with participating schools.
• Schools may reach out to the family directly for their own interviews, testing, or campus visits.
• The family then navigates school-specific admissions decisions and financial aid processes.

For Atlanta families, this can mean:

• Receiving interest from Atlanta-area schools,
• Receiving offers from boarding schools in other regions, or
• Having a mix of options to weigh based on family preferences.

Types of Schools Atlanta Students May Access Through A Better Chance

The specific partner schools change over time, but families in Atlanta often see:

• Independent day schools (in and around Atlanta, or in other cities)
• Boarding schools across the U.S.
• In some cases, selective public or magnet schools

Atlanta itself has a number of college-preparatory independent schools that, in various years, may enroll A Better Chance scholars or students with similar profiles. Families considering A Better Chance often also research:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS) specialized programs, such as gifted tracks or early college options
• Charter schools and magnet programs in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, and Gwinnett counties
• Faith-based and independent schools that may be a fit for their student’s needs

Because each school manages its own agreement with A Better Chance, the best way to know current partner schools is to combine:

• Information from A Better Chance, and
• Direct outreach to schools you are interested in within the Atlanta area.

Benefits and Trade-Offs for Atlanta Families

Potential Benefits

Atlanta-area families often value A Better Chance for:

• Expanded school options: Access to schools beyond your current attendance zone.
• Guidance through complex admissions: Support with applications, school lists, and interviews.
• College-focused environments: Many partner schools center heavily on college preparation.
• Network and exposure: Students can meet peers and educators from different regions and backgrounds.

Things to Consider

Before committing, Atlanta families typically think about:

• Location: Is the student staying in metro Atlanta or going out of state to a boarding school?
• Transportation: If the school is across town, how will daily travel work?
• Financial commitment: Even with aid, some costs (fees, travel, supplies) may remain.
• Student readiness: Some environments are highly rigorous and structured; families consider whether their child is emotionally and academically ready.

Simple Overview: A Better Chance for Atlanta Families

How to Get Started from Atlanta

If you live in or near Atlanta and want to explore A Better Chance:

1. Talk With Your Student’s Current School

Start with people who know your child well:

• School counselor
• Teachers or gifted/advanced program coordinators

Ask them:

• Whether your child’s academic record seems in line with selective school expectations.
• Whether they’ve worked with A Better Chance or similar programs in the past.
• What local school options (magnet, charter, independent) might also fit your child.

2. Contact the National A Better Chance Office

Because the program is national, centralized information usually comes from:

A Better Chance (National Headquarters)
154 East 109th Street
New York, NY 10029
Phone: 212‑779‑7070 (main office number, subject to change)

When you reach out, you can:

• Confirm current eligibility requirements for your child’s grade.
• Ask if there are any Atlanta- or Georgia-specific outreach efforts happening.
• Clarify deadlines and the application timeline relevant to Atlanta families.

(Phone numbers and addresses can occasionally change; if the line does not connect, check the organization’s official contact listing for the latest information.)

3. Make a List of Possible Schools

For Atlanta-area families, it’s helpful to prepare two lists:

1. Local/metro Atlanta schools you would consider (public magnet, charter, independent day schools).
2. Boarding or out-of-state schools you might be open to, if that’s realistic for your family.

Then, as you learn more from A Better Chance, you can see where these lists overlap with current partner schools or recommended options.

4. Plan for Logistics

If your student is accepted to a school through A Better Chance:

• For Atlanta-area schools, think through commuting routes, MARTA access, and after-school logistics.
• For boarding schools, consider travel to and from Atlanta, school break housing, and communication routines.

Local Atlanta Resources That Can Complement A Better Chance

Even if your child ultimately attends a school through A Better Chance, many Atlanta families also tap into:

• Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System – For quiet study spaces, academic support programs, and college prep workshops.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta – Several locations offer academic support and youth leadership programs.
• Youth-serving nonprofits and community centers in neighborhoods across Atlanta that offer tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment programs.

These can provide additional academic support, mentoring, and enrichment before, during, and after the A Better Chance process.

If You’re Just Starting to Explore Options

If you’re in Atlanta and simply wondering whether “A Better Chance Atlanta” is a fit:

• Look honestly at your student’s grades, motivation, and independence.
• Talk with educators who know your child.
• Reach out to A Better Chance nationally to clarify current details and whether your student fits the profile they typically serve.
• Consider all of your local Atlanta options as well, so you can compare what each path offers in academics, culture, commute, and cost.

By combining national opportunities like A Better Chance with the strong educational ecosystem in metro Atlanta, families can craft a path that gives their student the best possible chance at thriving in middle school, high school, and beyond.