Access Better Learning & Education
ABLE Boston
P.O. Box 990988
Prudential Post Office
Boston, MA 02199
About Us
Our Operating Model: Built on Success
ABLE is modeled after Student Sponsor Partners (SSP), a New York City based program that provides financial support and academic mentoring to at-risk students. Founded in 1986, SSP started with 45 students and 45 sponsors. Today the program has over 1,700 sponsors serving over 1,200 students at 20 schools. SSP’s model has proven to be tremendously effective:
- More than 80% of SSP students graduate high school, which is 3x the graduation rate at NYC public high school.
- 95% of SSP’s graduates go on to college, compared to 50% of NYC public high school graduates. The graduating class of 2007 garnered over $12 million in scholarships and grants for college.
ABLE is not the first organization to replicate SSP, similar programs have been successfully launched in other communities, including Chicago and Washington, DC. We are consulting SSP to launch a similar program in Boston and hope to replicate the programs’ success in other cities.
Contact us at contactus@ABLEBoston.org if you'd like to get involved or to learn more about ABLE.
Who We Are
ABLE is a non-profit organization founded by four young Boston professionals seeking to address an underserved segment of the population: at-risk students who may not be eligible for traditional merit based scholarships and financial aid. ABLE’s founders are personally committed both to providing financial resources and mentoring to students.
How ABLE Works
ABLE partners with select junior high or middle schools to identify at-risk students who would benefit from a non-public high school education and a dedicated and involved mentor. Prospective students interested in pursuing a private education are screened through an application process and collaborative discussions with school administrators to ensure that ABLE’s resources are allocated to those most in need. Upon selection, ABLE provides customized financial aid packages and pairs students with a committed sponsor who supports a student throughout his, or her high school career. Sponsors serve as role models and academic coaches stressing the importance for students to graduate from high school and go on to a 4-year college. Sponsors meet with their students 4-6 times over the course of a year, and stay in touch by phone and email.
To learn more, check out our brochure.
ABLE Boston
P.O. Box 990988
Prudential Post Office
Boston, MA 02199
