Mission Statement
The mission of Eden Prairie A Better Chance Foundation is to provide a safe and nurturing home and learning environment for academically high-achieving minority high school students, coming from economically and educationally distressed situations. We do this by housing and supporting them while they are attending Eden Prairie High School. This allows them "a better chance" of achieving their full potential.

A Brief History of the Program
A Better Chance was born during 1963, a time of political unrest, social idealism and the height of the civil rights movement. Originally known as the Independent School Talent Search Program, A Better Chance was founded by the headmasters of 23 selective independent schools in response to President Lyndon B. Johnsons call to create equal education access.

These headmasters made a mutual commitment to change the profiles and compositions of their student bodies. Through A Better Chance, they would expose the sons and daughters of the elite to those in American society who are economically less fortunate than they are, but certainly as able academically. Chosen for their motivation and demonstrated achievement, 49 students from low-income families were selected to complete their secondary education at these founding independent schools. Out of that first group, our historic signature program, the College Preparatory Schools Program, was born. Since its inception, we have placed over 11,000 students into some of the nation's finest college preparatory schools, many of who eventually achieved prominence in their professions and communities.

A Better Chance recruits candidates from urban and rural communities across the nation. Many of the applicants come from public schools where access to resources is limited, which contributes to academic and extracurricular disadvantages. Despite such challenges, many motivated and high-achieving students, often even in the top ten percent of their classes, pursue the type of top-quality education that A Better Chance can offer them.

A Better Chance is the oldest and only national program of its kind. Since 1963, the roster of member schools has expanded greatly to include over 175 independent day and boarding schools and some 25 public school programs.

Counselors and teachers at our member schools acknowledge time and again the profound positive impact A Better Chance scholars have within their schools. They realize that the traditionally homogeneous population of students in community schools benefits from interaction with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This leads to essential leadership preparation in an increasingly multiethnic and multicultural society.