A+

A+ Program

The A+ Schools Program was established by the Outstanding Schools Act of 1993. The school is required to establish specific guidelines and policies to meet the stipulations of the program.  The following requirements are mandatory to qualify for the A+ Schools Program.

  • Citizen/Resident

The student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

  • Agreement

Students may enroll in the A+ Program as early as 9th grade.  The student and their parents/guardian must sign an A+ Student Agreement.

  • Attendance

Students in the A+ Schools Program must maintain a 95% attendance record for grades 9-12.  Students must attend a designated A+ school for two years prior to graduation.

  • Grade Point Average

The A+ Schools Program requires that students have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale at graduation.  The GPA requirement is cumulative from 9th through 12th grade.

  • Tutoring

Students enrolled in A+ Schools Program are required to perform fifty hours of unpaid academic tutoring. The student must sign a tutoring agreement prior to tutoring. There are tutoring meetings held at the beginning of each semester the first time tutors should attend. The A+ student must have at least a 2.5 GPA. All tutoring must be pre-approved by the A+ Coordinator. Tutoring may be done during the school year. Seniors pursuing A+ must have all tutoring hours completed one week prior to graduation. The A+ student must follow all school dress codes and discipline codes as stated in the Cuba High School Student Handbook. Failure to follow the tutoring procedures may result in dismissal from the A+ Program.

  • End of Course

Beginning 2015, students must achieve a score of proficient or advanced on the Algebra I (or higher level mathematics course) end of course exam.  If all other A+ requirements are met except this one, students may achieve a combination of a qualifying score on the mathematics component of the ACT and high school GPA in accordance with the following scale.  Students may achieve the qualifying score as a high school or postsecondary student.

Seniors 2018, 2019 & 2020

ACT  Math SubScore                                 High School GPA

17 or greater                              and           2.5 or greater

16                                                and           2.8 or greater

15                                                and           3.0 or greater

 

  • Good Citizenship

The A+ program requires students to maintain a record of good citizenship and avoidance of unlawful use of drugs and/or alcohol.  A student who violates this requirement may be denied A+ incentive.

Although the following areas are not required for the high school to deem students eligible for A+, we encourage students to file the appropriate documentation and provide a copy of completion.  This will keep students on track for postsecondary requirements.

  • FAFSA

Student must show a good faith effort to secure all available federal postsecondary financial assistance.  Parents of students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) beginning October 1st (of the year of graduation) using the prior year’s tax information.  The FAFSA information must be sent to the college or vocational/technical school the student is planning to attend.  The FAFSA application can be completed at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Proof of completion should be turned in to the A+ office by February 1st.

  • Selective Service

All male students reaching the age of 18 must register for selective service within 60 days of their 18th birthday.  The easiest and fastest way to register is online at www.sss.gov.  Once the registration acknowledgement card is received, a copy is requested by the A+ office as proof of registration.

 

Commonly Asked Questions:

Are dual credit classes covered with A+ incentive?

No, student eligibility becomes effective only after high school graduation.

How long does a student have to use A+?

The incentive funds are available for eligible students for two years (6 semesters) during the four-year period (48 months) immediately following graduation.  Eligibility expires either 48 months after graduation, receipt of an associate’s degree or completion of 105% of the hours required for the program enrolled.

What is covered with the A+ incentive?

The funds will reimburse the unpaid balance of tuition and fees for full-time students AFTER all non-loan federal financial assistance such as federal Pell grant has applied.  The tuition amount eligible for reimbursement is capped at the standard credit hour tuition rate of State Technical College of Missouri.  Funds may be reduced by insufficient state appropriations.  Room, board, books and program specific fees (such as professional licensing fees, clinical uniforms, dues, tools, etc.) ARE NOT covered.

What is required for initial postsecondary status and renewal of the A+ incentive?

The student must enroll and attend fulltime at a participating community college or vocational/technical school, be seeking a degree or certificate (not in the areas of theology or divinity) at the school, make a good faith effort to secure all financial aid by completing a FAFSA and maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school (including the school’s established grade point average requirement).  The renewal student must also maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Can a student enrolled at a non-eligible college take courses at an eligible college during the summer term only and expect A+ to cover tuition?

No, students who enroll at a community college must be seeking a certificate or degree offered by that community college.

Students who attend a community college during the summer between their senior year in high school and freshmen year in college fall under a different circumstance.  Be sure to check with the community college you are enrolling with for the summer classes to check eligibility.

PLANNING FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE

Contact Tonya Hulbert at thulbert@cuba.k12.mo.us or (573) 885-2534

To stay up to date: Missouri Department of Higher Education maintains the following website on the A+ program.

http://dhe.mo.gov/ppc/grants/aplusscholarship.php

 

 

 

A+ Documents

A+ Brochure
Tutoring  Tips Brochure
A+ Handbook
A+ Tutoring Contract