A Better Chance of Clinton and the Mohawk Valley (also known as Clinton ABC)

The Clinton program is for male students in grades 9-12 who are academically motivated to succeed in a challenging college preparatory program.

Clinton ABC can host up to eight scholars at a time, typically two freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors and two seniors.

Clinton ABC is a Community School Program. ABC scholars attend nationally recognized Clinton High School, the public high school serving the Clinton, NY, community.

The scholars live with a resident director family in a house on the edge of the Hamilton College campus, less than two miles from the high school. The house contains three levels: bedrooms on the top floor; a living room, dining room, kitchen and study room on the main floor; and a recreation room and laundry room in the basement. The resident directors live in an attached apartment on the main floor. A bus provides transportation to and from school each day. The boys can use the college’s facilities.

ABC scholars attend nationally recognized Clinton High School, the public high school serving the Clinton, NY, community. The school serves a total of about 420 students in grades 9 to 12. There are many opportunities for the scholars to take honors and AP classes and to join clubs and sports teams.

No. Tuition, room and board are all covered by the program. Scholars are required to have health insurance and provide their own transportation to and from the program. Each scholar receives an allowance for fulfilling weekly chores around the house and for membership on the honor roll.

Clinton is a small town with all the basic amenities. Neighboring New Hartford (5 miles away) contains a shopping mall, movie theater complex and many chain restaurants and big box stores. ABC students can take the College jitney to New Hartford or are provided transportation by the resident directors or board members.

Typically, a prospective student is referred to the Clinton program by the ABC National Office. Students are then contacted for a telephone interview to assess interest. An overnight visit to Clinton usually follows so that students can meet the resident directors, get acquainted with the current ABC scholars, visit the high school and tour the area. Students who know they are interested in the Clinton program are welcome to contact Recruitment Chair Travis Hill [email protected] directly.

There is no cost for ABC Scholars to attend the Clinton program. If admitted, scholars receive a free education plus room and board.