A+ Schools Program

For additional information about Nixa High School's A+ Program, please click on the link below: 

A+ Scholarship Program

The education of all students is important, regardless of their plans following high school. The A+ Schools Program is designed to ensure that no matter what a student’s career goals, all Nixa High School students will be provided selections of courses, career counseling, technology and/or workplace skill development opportunities that are appropriate for them to achieve success.

The three major goals of the A+ Schools Program are:

• All students will graduate from high school
• All students complete a selection of high school studies that is challenging and for which there are identified learning expectations
• All students proceed from high school graduation to a college, post-secondary vocational or technical school, or high-wage job with workplace skill development opportunities.

The A+ Schools Program encourages all students to focus on a career goal that requires training beyond high school. Students are asked to select a career path, plan course work for all four years of high school, and progress toward a goal of additional training at the post-secondary level or a high-wage job. Students always have the option to modify or change their career goal and course of studies.

Nixa High School was officially designated as an A+ School in April 2000, and offers financial incentives to students who meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

• Attend Nixa High School and/or another A+ designated high school for at least three years immediately prior to graduation

• Graduate from high school with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale

• Have at least a 95% average attendance record during high school in grades 9-12

• Perform 50 hours of unpaid school-based tutoring or mentoring for other students. (A job shadowing component can be allowed which contributes up to 25% to the completion of 50 hours of tutoring)

• Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoid the unlawful use of drugs and/or alcohol  while in grades 9-12 (the complete citizenship policy is available from the A+ Office)

• Achieve a score of proficient or advanced on the Algebra I end-of-course exam or a higher level DESE approved end-of-course exam in the field of mathematics. Eligibility may also be established by achieving a qualifying score on the mathematics portion of the ACT

• Secure all available federal post-secondary student financial assistance funds that do not require repayment

• Male students over the age of 18 are required to register for selective service

   

  By meeting these requirements, students may receive reimbursement for tuition and general fees for a period up to 48 months after high school graduation at any Missouri public junior college, community college or vocational-technical school. Funds are available for a qualifying student until the receipt of an associate’s degree or completion of 105% of the required hours for the student’s program of study. (Tuition reimbursement is contingent upon state funding and is not the responsibility of Nixa Public Schools.)

   

   

   

  Any questions concerning the A+ Schools Program, contact the A+ Office at 724-3526.

Nixa Public Schools 

A+ CITIZENSHIP POLICY (Revised 4/2014)

Participation in the A+ Schools Scholarship Program is an honor and a privilege.

The A+ Schools Program encourages students to maintain a “record of good citizenship” at school and away from school and develop behaviors that will help them become productive, successful citizens. It is expected that students will exhibit standards of behavior that will bring credit to them, the A+ Schools Program, Nixa Public Schools and the Nixa community.

The primary goal of education is the development of individuals who possess the knowledge, skills, and characteristics to empower them to live meaningful lives and to make positive contributions to society.

Suspensions (In school)

 Any student who receives discipline referrals which resulted in an accumulation of 6 days in-school suspension will receive a written warning. An accumulation of 6 additional days of in-school suspensions (total of 12 days) will result in a second written warning. An additional accumulation of 3 days of in-school suspension (total of 15) will result in immediate removal from the A+ Program.

Suspensions (Out of School)

Any student who receives 3 days of out-of-school suspension will receive a written warning. A student who receives an additional 3 days OSS (total of 6 days) will result in immediate removal from the A+ Program.

AUTOMATIC INELIGIBILITY

A student will be removed immediately from the A+ Schools Program and thus forfeit the opportunity to receive funds through this program for any of the following:

Drugs/Alcohol/Substance Abuse

• Violation of the Nixa Public Schools Drug/Alcohol/Substance Abuse policy outlined in the Board Policy during the contract time

• Formally charged, pled guilty or nolo con- tendere (no contest) to, received a suspend- ed imposition of sentence or suspended execution of sentence for, agreed or a deferred prosecution for, or been con- victed or found guilty of with unlawful possession, under the influence, or selling of drugs, paraphernalia or alcohol.

An important component of the A+ Schools Program is the fostering of good citizenship in our district’s students. A student demonstrates good citizenship by showing respect for self, law, property and the rights of others.

CITIZENSHIP ELIGIBILITY

At the end of each semester student discipline records will be reviewed. Student discipline records will be maintained throughout their four years of high school. In-school and out-of-school suspension days are accumulative over the 4 years a student attends high school. Citizenship/discipline violations that may jeopardize a student’s A+ status include, but are not limited to, the following:

Violation of Local, State or Federal Criminal Laws

Pled guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to, received a suspended imposition of sen- tence or suspended execution of sentence for, agreed or a deferred prosecution for, or been  convicted or found guilty of a felony.

The student has been charged with one or more of the following crimes or their equivalent regardless of jurisdiction:

    • First and second degree murder                                                                                                            • Kidnapping                                                                                               
   • First, second and third degree assault
   • Rape in the first degree or sodomy
   • First and second degree burglary
   • Robbery in the first degree
   • Distribution of drugs
   • Distribution of drugs to a minor
   • First degree arson
   • Voluntary/involuntary manslaughter
   • Rape in the second degree
   • Felonious restraint
   • Property damage, first degree
   • Possession of a weapon (provisions of chapter 571 Missouri revised statutes)
   • Child molestation in the first degree
   • Deviate sexual assault
   • Sexual misconduct involving a child first degree sexual abuse
   • Harassment
   • Stalking
   • Possession of controlled substance

DEFINITIONS:

• FIRST WARNING - A written warning will be issued when a stu- dent has accumulated 6 days of in school suspension and is in jeopardy of being removed from the A+ Schools Program as outlined above.
• SECOND WARNING - A certified letter will be issued to parent/ guardian placing the student on probation once the student has accumulated 12 days of in school suspension or 3 days of out of school suspension and is in jeop- ardy of being removed from the A+ Schools Program as outlined above
• REMOVAL FROM THE PROGRAM - The student and the parent/guardian will be noti- fied via certified mail that the student has been removed from the A+ Program and will not be eligible to receive the A+ Scholarship.

On-The-Job Training: Some occupations do not require training prior to employment; rather additional training and skills required beyond high school are provided by the employer.

Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship is a three to four-year training program where you earn money while you learn, working on the job. You receive a license at the end of training. Examples of trades that use apprenticeship are bricklaying, jewelry making, electrical repair, etc.

Vocational/Technical School: Programs at these schools are generally from one month to four years in length. Examples of vocational technical programs include practical nursing, robotics, dental hygienist, paramedic, and some areas of business.

Community College: Community colleges offer two-year “degree” vocational training, associate degrees, or credit transfer to a college or university where you can pursue a bachelor’s degree. Most community colleges have an open enrollment policy for high school graduates and individuals with GEDs.

College/University: A bachelor’s degree requires approximately four years of college. A master’s degree usually requires one to two years of college beyond the bachelor’s degree. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required for about 20% of the occupations in the United States. Entrance requirements depend on the desired program/ major.

Military: Training is available for many jobs while you are enlisted. You may also receive financial assistance for college, room and board, salary, and insurance benefits. High school graduation is required. Another consideration for students would be the military academies like West Point or University ROTC. 

The Purpose of Career Paths

The Nixa Public Schools has programs to assist all students in choosing and preparing for rewarding careers. A general high school program of studies is simply not enough preparation for today’s colleges, technical career, or for employment in today’s complex workplace. Rather, the program of studies must be carefully planned and selected to help ensure that students attain their goals.

CAREER PATHS help give focus and direction to the selection of a high school program of study and to best assist the student in achieving whatever goal he/she has chosen. All high school students are asked to consider career paths, clusters, and programs of study.

CAREER PATHS are clusters of occupations and careers that are grouped together because many of the people in them share similar interests and strengths. All paths include a variety of occupations that require different levels of education and training. Career paths provide students with an area of focus, along with flexibility among many options and a variety of ideas to pursue.

Choosing a Career Path, Cluster and Pathway

As a part of Nixa High School’s spring conferencing program, each student, working with parents, STAR Advisor and high school counselors, will develop a course of study centered around one of the six broad career paths with specific emphasis upon career cluster interests. The course of study may reflect a general area of interest such as health services, or it may concentrate on a specific occupational goal such as becoming a respiratory therapist or a registered nurse. The following activities will enable students to achieve a designated career path:

• Nixa students have been involved in activities designed to expand awareness of a variety of careers. Activities to explore careers will continue throughout high school.

• Identify your interests, abilities and talents.

• Consider the possible careers in each career cluster in relationship to those interests, abilities and talents.

• Decide which career cluster seems to fit you best.

• Select courses that are related to the career path you have chosen.

• Students choose a career pathway by considering personal interests, personalities, and strengths. Students develop and revise annually a plan of study by selecting the courses that are relevant to the variety of occupations in the career cluster and pathway selected.

   

   

How can parents and others help?

• Nixa students have been involved in activities designed to expand awareness of a variety of careers. Activities to explore careers will continue throughout high school.

• Identify your interests, abilities and talents.

• Consider the possible careers in each career cluster in relationship to those interests, abilities and talents.

• Decide which career cluster seems to fit you best.

• Select courses that are related to the career path you have chosen.

• Students choose a career pathway by considering personal interests, personalities, and strengths. Students develop and revise annually a plan of study by selecting the courses that are relevant to the variety of occupations in the career cluster and pathway selected.

   

   

If students change their minds.....

A career path is a choice and is NOT a permanent commitment. As students mature and have new experiences, they will learn new things about themselves and may want to change career paths. Four-year plans are reviewed and revised annually. Students will not lose credit for classes already taken if they change career paths nor will changing career paths in itself delay graduation date.