• For more information about GRTS, call 660-646-3414, or stop by and visit us at 1200 Fair Street, Chillicothe, Missouri or E-Mail Us.
• For tuition & fee information, click here.

A+ Schools Program

Contact: Marla Harrington Community Services Coordinator - Financial Aid 660-646-3414 OR fax 660 646 3568 marlah@grts.org Return to main Financial Aid page

Contact: Debby Peery Vocational Counselor 660-646-3414 OR fax 660 646 3568 dpeery@grts.org Return to main Vocational Counselor page

What is the A+ Schools Program?

The A+ Schools program at Chillicothe High School is an exciting opportunity for all students who plan to do any of the following upon graduation from high school:

• Attend a traditional four-year university
• Attend a community college
• Attend a vocational/technical school
• Enter the labor force

The A+ Program provides for curriculum development, including applied courses that allow students to apply what they learn to real-life situations. The program provides for extensive career guidance for students, which includes activities for at-risk students. Possibly the most important part of the A+ Program is the financial incentive available to students for continuing their education after high school.

What Financial Incentives are Available?

Since Chillicothe High School was designated an A+ School, all graduates can qualify for two years of tuition at any public community college, vocational, or technical school in the state of Missouri.

Start-Up Grants - To qualify, a student must have attended a designated A+ School for three consecutive years prior to graduation, and:

• Maintain at least a 6.875 grade point average on an 11-point scale
• Maintain a 95% attendance average over the three-year period
• Perform 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring
• Maintain a record of good citizenship
• Avoid the unlawful use of drugs

These incentives are available for two years during the four-year period immediately following graduation in which the student must maintain a 2.5 GPA (4.0 scale) and be a full-time student. Interested students shall be asked to sign a Participation Agreement expressing their interest in the A+ Program.

NOTE: Some limitations became effective with the 2011-2012 school year. For information on updates to the A+ program and funding limitations, be sure to check with your high school A+ coordinator, your college financial aid office, or the MO Dept of Higher Education which administers the program in Missouri.

When Do I Have to Sign Up for the Program?

Typically, the vast majority of students will want to sign their agreement form and get started with the tutoring and mentoring activities immediately upon beginning their Freshman year. A student, may, however, sign up at any time and begin to meet the requirements. There are no specific windows for signing the agreement. It could be done at any time, as long as the student realizes that time must be available to meet the qualifications, specifically, completing 50 hours of tutoring and mentoring.

• A+ funds may be used at any community college or technical school in the state of Missouri.
• Students may begin using A+ funds for summer sessions following high school graduation.
• Students must take a minimum of 4 credit hours in a 5-week summer session or 6 credit hours in an 8-week summer session.
• Students must take a minimum of 12 credit hours in a regular semester sessions, and a maximum of 18 credit hours.
• A+ funds may be used for a maximum of 61 credit hours.

Missouri's A+ Schools Program

The A+ Schools program is a school-improvement initiative established by the Outstanding Schools Act of 1993. The program is raising academic standards, opening new doors to higher education and introducing students to the teaching profession through tutoring and mentoring activities. The program provides incentives for local high schools to:

• Reduce the dropout rate
• Raise academic expectations and eliminate "general track" courses
• Provide better "career pathways" for all students
• Work more closely with business and higher-education leaders

The key goal of A+ Schools is to assure that all students, when they graduate, are well-prepared to pursue advanced education, employment, or both.

Start-Up Grants

Since 1994, 133 Missouri high schools, representing 127 school districts, have received A+ Schools start-up grants. Participating schools may receive state funds of up to $150,000 annually for up to three years. Grants are awarded on the basis of competitive applications.

Grant funds have allowed high schools to upgrade technology, purchase state-of-the-art lab equipment, adopt new teaching styles, and offer new "hands-on" courses.

A+ Schools Designation

The State Board of Education approves high schools for A+ status once they have met the program requirements. In most cases, schools spend three years implementing the program by upgrading curriculum, reducing dropout rates, recruiting students, and establishing business advisory councils. It is not necessary to receive an A+ Schools grant to gain designation.

Student Eligibility Requirements

Students who graduate from a designated A+ School may qualify for state-paid assistance (full tuition and qualifying fees) to attend any public community college or technical school in the state. Approximately 6,000 students have qualified for the tuition assistance since 1997. Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the tuition reimbursement:

• Attend a designated A+ School for three consecutive years prior to graduation
• Have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Have at least a 95% attendance record
• Perform 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring
• Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoidance of the unlawful use of drugs
• Attend a Missouri community college or postsecondary vocational-technical school on a full-time basis and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher

Everyone Benefits

Missouri's A+ Schools program is a win-win situation for schools, students, and communities. The program encourages students to stay in school, make career plans, tutor younger students in school, and graduate with the skills and knowledge required for career success or further education.

'A-Plus' Program Thriving at CHS
By LAURA SCHULER/C-T City Editor, Wednesday, January 17, 2007

The Chillicothe R-2 A-Plus program is alive, well and prospering and school officials say participation will likely increase even more next year. “I anticipate a participation rate of approximately 60 to 63 percent during the 2007-08 school year,” Tony Perry, A-Plus coordinator told board members last (Tuesday) evening.

Perry presented an annual report of the program to Chillicothe R-2 board members during the regular January meeting held at district headquarters. He noted that there are currently 380 students (or 58.1 percent of the student population) involved in the program at the high school.

The state-funded scholarship program is designed to help high school students who would otherwise not attend a school after graduation. To complete the program, students must maintain a 2.5 grade point average, tutor younger students for 50 hours, have a 95 percent school attendance record and stay away from illegal drugs and other trouble. If they maintain a 2.5 grade point average in high school and meet other criteria, the students are then eligible for two years of free tuition at a public community college or vocational school in Missouri.

If you have any questions, please call Marla Harrington, Financial Aid Administrator of GRTS, or Debby Peery, Vocational Counselor, at 660-646-3414. You may also call toll free 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

The Grand River Technical School adheres to a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of
age, color, creed, handicap, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, or sex
in admissions, educational programs, activities, financial aid, and employment.

Public Notice
Nondiscrimination Statement
Chillicothe R-II School District

The Chillicothe R-II School District complies with all federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 and the American Disabilities Act (ADA). It is the policy of the school district that no person, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap, shall be discriminated against in employment, educational programs and activities or admissions. Inquiries or complaints concerning the Chillicothe R-II School District’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title II, Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 or the American Disabilities Act (ADA) may be directed to: Superintendent Office, Chillicothe R-II School District, P.O. Box 530, Chillicothe, Missouri, 64601. (660-646-4566).

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This page updated by BK Web Works 09/30/2011.