The Impact of ABL
Mission
Andover Bread Loaf (ABL) reimagines education based on a pedagogy of care that, through writing and the arts, ignites change in youth, adults, and educators by providing the space, trust, and freedom for them to develop their intellectual, leadership, and collaborative skills. Using these tools, they can transform themselves and their communities while working toward social justice.
Key Features
- Transformative Youth Programming: Year-round and summer offerings that inspire students, teachers, and communities through writing and creative-self expression.
- Elevating Teen Leadership: Training young people (“Writing Leaders”) in democratic teaching to lead writing workshops and community programs that foster youth-driven education and social transformation.
- Sustaining Excellent Educators: An Andover-based residency program for 35 teachers and other youth development professionals that promotes best practices while providing valuable opportunities for connection and self-care.
Our Program
1,000+
students in grades K–12 served annually
100%
of programming led by ABL-trained high school & college youth
5
alumni on full fellowships at the Bread Loaf School of English
93%
of ABL youth identify as Latine, Black, or Multi-racial
94%
of ABL youth speak a language other than English at home
700+
teachers have attended ABL’s summer educator workshop
2025 In Action: The 38th Year
Impact and Results
- 90% of students report increased confidence in writing and creative arts.
- 88% of Writing Leaders report increased confidence in their own abilities and feeling inspired to achieve academically.
- Participating teachers overwhelmingly expressed renewed excitement for their profession:
- “ABL is a door with many keys that showed me I have more skills than I imagined.”
- “I can envision these amazing middle school students as future colleagues.”
- “My friend told me that after being here, I sound like my ‘younger me.’ Like really ME.”
I love being part of the community that is built in this space and love hearing people’s voices. This is an amazing family.
”
I feel like learning happens in all forms and this program is an amazing unconventional way of doing so. The kids can write freely without academic pressure and feel free to write about anything. Share is what boosts their confidence and makes them realize that their voices have power.
”
I always leave Bread Loaf with a fervent desire to return to my community and bring ABL with me.
”
Thank You
Andover Bread Loaf is funded through the generosity of individual donors and foundations. As a result, the program is free of charge for all selected students. Thank you!
Founder and Transitional Director of ABL
Lou Bernieri P’96, ’10, founded Andover Bread Loaf (ABL) in 1987 and helped lead the program through its 38th year this summer. Under his guidance, ABL has become a nationally recognized model for empowering young writers, particularly in under-resourced communities like nearby Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Lou began his career at Phillips Academy in the late 1970s as an instructor in English and house counselor, later serving as chair of the English department and coaching both football and track. His outreach work—especially in Lawrence—has earned him numerous honors, including the Jeannie Menucci Award (Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, 2013), the Ertha Dengler History Award (Lawrence History Center, 2015), and an honorary Doctor of Letters from Middlebury College (2016). Though he retired from Phillips Academy in June 2025, Lou continues to serve as the transitional director of Andover Bread Loaf and is leading efforts to expand ABL’s impact in the future.
