Missouri’s A+ Schools Program 1

A+ Could Mean FREE Tuition IF Your Child has… Signed a Participation Agreement Attended an A+ high school for 3 years prior to graduation Graduated with a GPA of 2.5 or better A 4 yr cumulative attendance record of 95 % (about 32 days total) Scored at least “Proficient” on the Algebra I EOC Performed at least 50 hours of unpaid tutoring (12.5 hours can be job shadowing) A record of good citizenship, avoided unlawful use of drugs/alcohol Registered for Selective Service, if applicable Completed a FAFSA application senior year 2

Free Tuition Where? Any public Missouri Community College or public vocational-technical school Hillyard Technical Center, Maple Woods, etc. A list of all community college/tech schools are in your A+ Folder Provided Clinton County R-3 qualifies for the A+ designation; Provided funding is appropriated by the Missouri General Assembly 3

4-Year Colleges Offering Scholarships Avila University Kansas City, MO www.avila.edu Central Methodist University Fayette, MO www.centralmethodist.edu Columbia College Columbia, MO www.ccis.edu Drury University Springfield, MO www.drury.edu Evangel University Springfield, MO www.evangel.edu Fontbonne University St. Louis, MO www.fontbonne.edu Kansas City Art Institute Kansas City, MO www.kcai.edu MidAmerica Nazarene University Olathe, KS http://www.mnu.edu/ Missouri Southern State Univ. Joplin, MO www.mssu.edu Missouri State University Springfield, MO www.missouristate.edu Missouri Western State Univ. St. Joseph, MO www.missouriwestern.edu Missouri Valley College Marshall, MO www.moval.edu Northwest Missouri State Univ. Maryville, MO www.nwmissouri.edu Park University Parkville, MO www.park.edu Rockhurst University Kansas City, MO www.rockhurst.edu Southeast Missouri State Univ. Cape Girardeau, MO www.semo.edu Stephens College Columbia, MO www.stephens.edu Truman State University Kirksville, MO www.truman.edu University of Missouri-Kansas City www.umkc.edu Webster University Several MO locations www.webster.edu William Woods University Fulton, MO www.williamwoods.edu **This list is always changing, so check with your college. 4

Tell Me More About the Tuition Incentives…. A+ benefits may be applied to pay for tuition for 2 academic years (6 semesters, counting summer) To qualify, the student must be a full-time student and maintain a certain college GPA (usually a 2.5) Benefits can be accessed during the four years immediately following their high school graduation 5

What are the Citizenship Requirements What are the Citizenship Requirements? Be good citizens at school AND in the community. Based on the official high school discipline record as well as Juvenile/Law Enforcement. Immediate loss of A+ privilege happens if…. Possession, use, sale, or transfer of alcohol or drugs Possession of drug paraphernalia Criminal Activity, as defined in Safe Schools Act 6

Attendance waiver for exceptional instances. 95% attendance over entire four years (missing no more than 8 days per year) Attendance waiver for exceptional instances. Hospitalizations, Long-term illness, etc. Requires appropriate documentation Waivers are found in A+ Folder No waiver for: Truancy, Ordinary colds, flu or other short term illness, Family vacations, or Suspensions 7

TUTORING 50 Hours Required Tutoring must be academic in nature and supervised by district staff Tutoring may be performed before or after the school day, Monday Childcare and during summer school. Monday childcare tutoring can be set up by emailing sandy.steggall@ccr3.k12.mo.us Must keep a log (logs can be turned at the end of every semester) 8

Job Shadowing Students can job shadow anyone related to their career path Up to 12.5 hours can be counted towards the 50 hours. Job Shadowing should be approved by Mr. Hodge. Form is found in the A+ folder. Once Job Shadow is complete students are required to fill out a reflection sheet. This is found in the A+ folder. 9

FAQs Q-What does signing the “A+ Agreement” mean? A-Only that the student and parents have an interest in the A+ Financial Incentives Program and understand and agree to the A+ requirements. Q-Does signing the Participation Agreement restrict a student’s choices? A-No, the intent is to INCREASE student options after they graduate. There is no obligation to attend a qualifying post-secondary institution unless you choose to. Q-I plan to attend a 4 year college, why do A+? A-Many colleges offer scholarships just for completing A+. 10

STILL MORE FAQs... Q-But what if I am SURE I am not going to an A+ school? A-Sometimes situations change. Down the road you might decide the 4 year school isn’t right for you. If you still meet the requirements (full time status and 2.50 GPA), you could access your benefits for up to four years after graduation. 11

WHAT’s NEXT? Discuss whether A+ is right for your child. Call or email Mrs. Howren if you have questions. (816) 539-2184 ashley.howren@ccr3.k12.mo.us Tonight you can complete and return the Participation Agreement, indicating whether or not you elect to try for A+.