The high school administration realizes that an effective educational program is one that provides opportunities for student learning both within the classroom and beyond the traditional classroom and school day. These expanded opportunities are viewed as educational options to supplement the regular program.
Missouri A+ Schools Program
The Missouri A+ Schools Program strives to ensure that students are prepared for and successful in life beyond high school. The Missouri A+ Schools Program provides students with continuous, progressive career information throughout the students’ years in the West Platte R-II School District. The program focuses on ensuring students have course offerings that are rigorous and relevant to the world outside the classroom that will better prepare them for their paths after high school.
Students who graduate from West Platte with a 2.5 or higher GPA, 95% or better attendance, a score of Proficient or Advanced on the Algebra I EOC exam or higher level math EOC or ACT test, and complete 50 hours of student tutoring will qualify as A+ students. This designation allows students to attend a Missouri Community College tuition-free for two years, or receive a scholarship at Missouri colleges that offer them. Upon graduation, students may attend summer classes at a Missouri Community College tuition-free, regardless of what college they plan to attend in the fall. This is only available the first summer after high school graduation.
For additional information about the A+ Schools Program contact the A+ coordinator in your school or the Department of Higher Education website (www.dhe.mo.gov).
Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program of college-level courses and exams that give high school students the opportunity to receive college credit. Since AP courses and exams are junior or senior year experiences, parents and students anticipating college should plan early, including the 9th and 10th grades. In order to take full advantage of AP opportunities, the appropriate prerequisite courses must be taken.
The AP exams corresponding to the courses are given at West Platte on the national test dates in May. The approximate cost is $94.00 for each AP exam taken (currently being paid for by the District, and evaluated on an annual basis). Most AP exams include two sections: multiple choice and free response (essays, problems, portfolios, or taped responses). Each exam receives an overall grade on a five-point scale, interpreted as follows:
- 5: Extremely well-qualified
- 4: Well-qualified
- 3: Qualified
- 2: Possibly qualified
- 1: No recommendation
AP grade reports are sent during the summer to each student, the high school, and (if the student requests) to a college. Each college decides what exam grades it will accept. Many colleges accept scores of 3 or better and give students credit as if they had taken one of the more basic courses in the field. In some cases credit is not given, but the necessity of taking basic courses is waived; therefore, the student begins the program of study on an advanced level.
More information can be found at https://student.collegeboard.org/
Dual Credit
West Platte high school students have many opportunities to take dual credit courses. Students with a 3.0 or better GPA (and who meet ACT requirements for the English or math courses-see below) may take the courses listed below for both high school and college credit. Dual credit tuition is approximately $90 per credit hour, which is a considerable savings compared to the cost for college students. More Information >>
- Advanced Composition & English Literature/Intro to Fiction: ACT =21(OR 3.0 GPA)
- College Algebra/Trigonometry: ACT Math=22
- Chemistry III: ACT Math=22
- Calculus: ACT Math=25
Correspondent Courses
West Platte accepts credits from several outside sources. Students may use American School, Keystone, MU High School, MOCAP (Missouri Course Access Program), or APEX Online as a way to recover credits to stay on track for graduation. Students in need of additional credits should meet with the High School Counselor to determine the appropriate program and courses.