A+

Goals of the A+ Program

  1. All students will graduate from high school.

  2. All students will complete a selection of high school studies that is challenging and for which there are identified and measurable learner expectations.

  3. All students will proceed from high school graduation to a traditional college or post-secondary vocational or technical school, or high wage job with workplace skill development opportunities.


Participation Requirements  

The high school from which the student graduates must meet and maintain all the requirements for A+ schools designation.  State funding must be available. As with any State program, the A+ Schools Program is subject to the political process of sustaining and maintaining a budget.  The student must meet all the criteria outlined in the A+ Schools Program and the program agreement in which the student and parent/guardian will sign.


Student Eligibility 

To be eligible for the A+ tuition benefit, students must be certified by the high school. To qualify for certification, students must sign an A+ agreement and successfully complete the following requirements:  

  • Be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen or lawfully present in the U.S.  

  • Enter into a written agreement with your high school prior to graduation.

  • Attend an A+ designated school for three years (grades 10, 11, 12) prior to graduation.

  • Graduate with an unweighted, unrounded cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

  • Graduate with a minimum 95% ADA (Average Daily Attendance) record (over 8 semesters).

  • Perform 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring to other students in the district, of which up to 25% may include approved job shadowing.  

  • Score Proficient or Advanced on the Algebra I End of Course Exam (or higher level Math EOC) or 17 on the Math area of the ACT. There are additional eligibility alternatives and students who may need that should see the School Counselor.

  • Model good citizenship at school and in the community.

  • Avoid the use of illegal drugs and alcohol.

  • Make a good faith effort to secure all available federal financial aid by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) their senior year. 

To maintain A+ eligibility the student must:  

  • Enroll and attend a Missouri community college or post-secondary vocational/technical school or a post-secondary college or university that accepts A+, on a full-time basis and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

  • Be seeking a degree at the institution in which you are enrolled.  

  • Not be pursuing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity.  

  • Make a good faith effort to secure all available federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) EACH academic year.

If you are attending an institution that does not participate in Title IV programs you must complete the FAFSA4caster, which is a tool for estimating your level of need for federal financial aid. 

A+ Program Enrollment 

A+ participation is voluntary. Students may participate in the program by completing and returning an A+ Agreement to the A+ Coordinator. Agreements are available from the A+ Coordinator. 

Students should try to begin their participation in the A+ Program at the beginning of their freshman year. Enrolling in the program early allows students and parents to focus on the goals of the program. A file of active and inactive A+ Program Agreements is maintained in the A+ Coordinator’s office. 

There is no specific deadline for enrolling in the A+ Program. A student can enroll at any time as long as the student realizes that he/she must complete all program requirements, including the 50 hours of tutoring and mentoring. 

For complete information about A+ and to access all forms, please check the A+ Student Manual.