A+ Program
A+ PROGRAM
The State of Missouri A+ Schools Program is an initiative that allows eligible students to attend a Missouri community college or public tech school tuition free.
General fees are also paid. However, textbooks and other major specific fees are not paid. A+ funding does not cover ANY tuition or fees at 4 year colleges and universities. Funding is not guaranteed and is determined by the State of MO legislature each year.
A+ SCHOOLS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
- Be a US Citizen or permanent resident
- Attend a designated A+ School for two years prior high school graduation
- Graduate from high school with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 non-weighted (a 2.499 GPA is not eligible) or higher for all four years of high school
- Maintain at least a 95% cumulative attendance record for all four years of high school
- Perform a total of 50 hours of unpaid academic tutoring or mentoring of other students within the KSD under the supervision of a Kirkwood School District employee within the four years of high school. Up to 25% (12.5 hours) can be obtained by job shadowing.
- Must have achieved a score of proficient or advanced on the Algebra end-of-course exam or higher level DESE approved requirement, you may establish eligibility by achieving a combined ACT math subscore and high school GPA in accordance with the scale provided by DESE.
- Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoidance of unlawful use of alcohol and drugs.
- Make a documented good faith effort to secure available federal post- secondary student financial assistance funds that do not require a payment (FAFSA application must be completed and mailed to the school that the student is planning to attend.)
- Enroll and attend a Missouri public community college or vocational school on a full-time basis and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
CLASSES
Cadet Teaching-4 Hours
Child Development Class
Child Development I - (15-22 Hours) depends on how many days students will tutor
Child Development II - (up to 22 Hours) depends on how many days students will tutor
Job Shadowing (12.5 Hours) Location of student's choice
In addition, as other opportunities become available that are not listed above, students will be emailed.
FAFSA
Students are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to receive A+ funding while in college.
For information on how to complete the FAFSA go to: https://studentaid.gov/
Additional information about the FAFSA: https://mofafsa.org/
The FAFSA must be completed after December 1st of a student's senior year for A+ eligibility.
ALGEBRA I EOC
Students must achieve a qualifying score on one of the following tests in order to be A+ eligible. Students that do not meet the Math requirement by graduation will NOT be A+ eligible. If the Math requirement is met after graduation (with a qualifying ACT score), it is the student's responsibility to send the official ACT score to the registrar and A+ Coordinator at KHS in order for the student's transcript to be stamped as A+ eligible).
1. Proficient on the Algebra I end of course exam.
2. Proficient on a higher Math end of course exam. (i.e.: Algebra II)
3. Achieve a qualifying score on the Math subsection of the ACT.
If a student meets all the eligibility requirements except the end-of-course exam score, they may establish eligibility by achieving a combined ACT math subscore and high school GPA. The student may achieve the qualifying score as a high school or postsecondary student. If the score is achieved as a postsecondary student, the student may be eligible for an award in the same term that the test is taken.
Scale for A+ Math Proficiency Requirement
ACT Math Score 17 or greater and a cumulative High School GPA of 2.5 or higher
ACT Math Score 16 and a cumulative High School GPA of 2.8 or higher
ACT Math Score 15 and a cumulative High School GPA of 3.0 or higher
ATTENDANCE
Students must have a 95% attendance rate by graduation to be A+ eligible. Attendance is cumulative for all 4 years of high school. Attendance will be obtained from previous schools for transfer students.
95% is about 7 or 8 school days/school year a student can miss and still remain eligible.