Once students get into high school, some graduated students and staff claim that time goes by much faster during students’ high school career, while high school students may say that they feel like they have plenty of time to decide what they want to do in life, time says otherwise. This is why it is recommended that students begin looking into options as soon as possible once they enter high school. One out of many options that are available is the A+ program.
The A+ program began in 1993, and it is said that the main motive of this program is to ensure that students who graduate from Missouri high schools are as prepared for college as possible. To sign up for the A+ program you simply have a parent or guardian sign a paper that ensures your place in the program.
College and career advisor Amie Branch said the A+ program helps high school students in many ways.
“It increases student achievement, attendance, graduation rates, and offers career guidance,” Branch said.
The A+ program pays for the first two years of a student’s college funds, and although the A+ program can not be used for all colleges, it still helps the students as much as possible by offering a chunk of money towards the student’s tuition. In curtain colleges, students’ tuition is not as expensive as it would’ve been without the A+ program.
“When the student transfers to a four year college, a lot of the tuition is paid for already,” Branch said.
This program can save many students with the hopes of having a shot at the career they hope to achieve money towards tuition that some may not have.
When asked about the benefits of using the A+ program, Athletic Director Steve Kelly said, “The A+ program can be a game changer for many students. The program can give students who may not have the financial means the opportunity to get their Associates degree at a community college or go to a technical school.”
With the help of this program, students with a lack of funds can have an easier path to take to attend college and have better chances at helping their career.
There are many aspects of this program that are amazing for a student in need. Although Kelly’s personal favorite part of the program is how achievable it can be. “The best part of the A+ program in my opinion is the simplicity of the program.” Kelly said. All that is required for the program is a student’s care for their academic behavior, which includes a 95% attendance record, a 2.5 cumulative GPA, and a proficient or advanced on the student’s Algebra 1 EOC.
The requirements for this program are easy to achieve and attainable for students that work hard towards being successful with their careers in the near future.
Senior Madison Puckett is one of the students that participate in the A+ program, and while the program does not pay for students’ full college tuition, it still plays a very helpful role in a jumpstart to students’ college career, “Even though I don’t get 2 years of my college paid off because I am not attending a community college, the program still gives me $500 dollars to acknowledge that I am in the program.”
The A+ program helps students’ pay off as much of their college tuition as possible, which can be extremely helpful to struggling students.
