Grade A Plus
Show Them, Guide Them, Support Them
From the Desk of the Executive Director
Dr. Janice Dawson-Threat
"Grade A Plus Inc. is an after-school academic support and enrichment program investing in the youth of Columbia, Missouri. Our community-based program envisions an environment that increases academic equity by reducing the barriers that inhibit success both in and out of school. With the support of community and college student volunteers, the program strives to motivate students to learn, to increase academic curiosity, and to boost student confidence in the practice of problem-solving. Grade A Plus Inc. believes all children can learn to do well when given support, encouragement, and confidence."
Mission
To motivate students to learn, to stimulate academic curiosity, and to increase confidence in the practice of problem-solving.
Vision
To narrow the opportunity gap and increase equity by reducing the barriers that inhibit success both in and out of school.
Values
All children can learn to do well when given the support, the encouragement, and the confidence.
Grade A Plus Academic Support, Enrichment, and Mentoring Program
​Grade A Plus serves families in the Columbia, MO area by offering STREAM* focused academic support and enrichment programs for 3rd -12th grade students. With college and graduate student and community volunteers along with content rich specialists serving as tutors, the program supports young learners throughout the school year with several options for 1:1 and small group learning activities. Among these activities are mentoring and enrichment programs which we offer on a weekly basis. Mentoring for 3rd-8th grade students provides the Positive Youth Development (PYD) series which includes character building and self-identity development activities, while 8th-12th grade students get to participate in the Employment Opportunity Program (EOP) which includes a stipend for active participation.
*Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics
Academic Support
Enrichment & Mentoring Support
Family Support
Our Goals
Mathematics
3rd-7th Grade
Undergraduate tutors utilize various tools to support mastery of basic math functions such as counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions.
​
Math UP!
Math graduate tutors support higher level subjects such as Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, College Algebra, and AP Calculus (AB and BC).​​
​
Math Challenge Club
Students ​participate in advanced math activities, followed by a discussion of the solutions with other students and tutors.
​​​​
Language Arts​
The Reading Center
Tutors focus on developing student reading skills through decoding, fluency, vocabulary, working memory and attention, sentence construction, and reasoning development.
​
The Writing Center
Open to all grade levels, this center allows students to develop skills in penmanship, storytelling, writing format styles, publication, blogging, and writing for the web and social media. See some of the stories written by our students here.
​​
Science
Field and Stream
Students are introduced to new knowledge in the field of Natural Resources, sharing the valued characteristics of commercial and industrial use, aesthetic value, scientific interest, and cultural value.
​
​Fun in Science
Youth participants learn about the impact of sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices and later begin to grow plants in their homes using resources available.
​
Veterinary Science
Monthly sessions teach children about the science of caring for pets and understanding more about the animal kingdom.
​​Game Strategy​​
Students participate in board and computer strategy games to help in the development of problem-solving, planning, counting, and social development skills once academic goals have been completed each session.​​​​​​​
​
13th Year Support
Youth who attend the GAP program for at least 2 years prior to graduation are eligible to receive GAP support throughout their 13th year of school with both a Fall and Spring Award based on their success during the Fall and Spring terms.​
Robotics &
Engineering​
Participants learn about careers in engineering, programming languages, how to build a working machine, and more.
​
Middle School students are encouraged to join Robotics & Engineering enrichment as a pre-requisite to joining the local high school FIRST® Robotics Competition team, known as the Army Ants.
​​
​
The America Project:
History and Culture
Students explore the rich and diverse history, culture, and identities of people living in America. Guest presenters provide a lens through which to see the people/groups being studied and virtual tours take students to places beyond Columbia, MO.
​
Mentoring​
Positive Youth Development (PYD)
We provide PYD every session to allow students to unwind from the school day, address concerns students may have about their day, and improve student-tutor relationships. PYD is focused on 3rd - 8th grade students with an emphasis on character building and self-identity development.
​
Employment Opportunity Program (EOP)
We provide the EOP to prepare 9th- 12th grade students for future employment and educational opportunities. In addition to receiving academic support, students who enroll in the EOP receive opportunity to participate in a focused learning experience led by a qualified development specialist. Each term has a different unit of focus for 8 weeks: Social Well-Being & Mental Health; Leadership Development; and Dreambuilders.
Students who enroll in the EOP receive a financial stipend based on their attendance and engagement in each session which qualifies them to receive an end of term award. Additionally, by participating in each session, based on GPA, they can be eligible to serve as a tutor or mentor with younger youth enrolled in the program. Where opportunities for internships are available with a local company GAP assists to support the EOP's students ability to participate. Continued participation in the Dream Builder component of the EOP program supports them through the13th year for those headed to college or it assists with supporting their entry into new work experiences, furthering the development of their career plans, or supporting their eligibility for future awards.
​​​​​
Sessions
In January, GAP utilizes virtual services to provide academic support and enrichment during the difficult winter season.
​
From February to mid-May GAP provides On-Site support with a focus on hands-on learning, 1:1and small group tutoring.
The GAP summer session begins in Mid-May and operates to the end of June.
The program focuses on field trips and outdoor experiences.
​
In July, GAP financially supports youth who want to attend day camps. Family leaders must register early in the Spring to receive the maximum scholarship support from the various camp programs. Participation in camps in Columbia, MO may also qualify for transportation support.​
Family Leader
Support
Family, school, and community are all essential to nurturing a growth mindset in children and young adults. The role of a family leader has a tremendous impact on the confidence and social development of a child. Family leaders may be parents, legal guardians, relatives, or foster parents who oversee the primary need of a child.
​
GAP supports family leaders by providing group workshops which supply guidance on how to support their child(ren)'s success in and out of school. Through communications with assigned tutors, school teachers and other community mentors, increased involvement by family leaders helps a child to succeed. ​​
Family Advocacy
GAP can serve as a third-party collaborator and advocate to improve communication between families, the school, and their children. GAP steers conversations towards focusing on student needs and support, guaranteeing that these needs are being met by school staff and classroom teachers. GAP also assists students in acquiring necessary resources such as technology, internet connection, and language services.
​​
Family Development Services ​
The Family Development Service assist students enrolled in the program and their Family Leaders, with targeted support for assisting their children in the pursuit of success in and out of school. These services also provide workshops and referrals for more intensive support when warranted.
​
Food &
Transportation
Snacks and Family Dinner
Students who participate on-site are provided with snacks at each session and one family dinner each week. Snacks consist of fresh fruit, a cheese or dairy product, and a nutritious grain product. On Thursdays, each participant, their family leader, and their siblings are given a hot meal with vegetables and dessert. Our goal in providing this meal is to
provide an opportunity for families to socialize and create a sense of community.
​
Food Box Program
All families participating in GAP are eligible to receive a monthly food box supplement. Boxes can be picked up from the site or delivered home with students that are on the transportation schedule.
​
Transportation
Transportation is available to support students engagement in the On-Site program. GAP provides basic support in one direction (from school to site OR from site to home). This support must be within the allowable transportation boundaries of the program.
​
