| 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.
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.
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Contact Information
Missouri's
A+ Schools ProgramThe 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.
"I didn't consider college because
of the cost. But, the A+ Schools program
helped me get the money I
needed to pursue a higher education."
--C.J. Collins,
1998 A+ Schools Graduate
Willow Springs High School |
'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).
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Contact:
Debby Peery