Grade A Plus Incorporated
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, enrichment, and mentoring programs for all grade levels. A limited number of K-2 students are enrolled when spaces are available. GAP provides content rich specialists known as Learning Leaders for each grade group, along with college, graduate students, and community volunteers serving as tutors assigned to each group. The program supports young learners throughout the school year with several options for 1:1 and small group learning activities. MathUp! is provided for high school students to imp support them throug the basic the four math designated courses in the curriculum. Additionally, the program offers mentoring and enrichment activities which are offered on a weekly basis. All grade levels receive Positive Youth Development (PYD) time at the start of every session. This series includes positive social development for K-2 students; character building and self-identity development for 3rd-5th grade students; strengthening study skills and writing techniques for 6th-8th grade students; and pursuing Vocabulary for the College Bound high school student. The option of engaging in the Employment Opportunity Program (EOP) which includes a stipend for active participation is provided for the 9th-12th grade students, as well as a 13th year support activity for those who complete the program and pursue postsecondary studies.
*Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics
Academic Support
Enrichment & Mentoring Support
Family Leader Development 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.
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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).​​​​​​​
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.
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The Writing Center
Open to all grade levels, this activity 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.
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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.
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​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.
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Veterinary Science
Sessions teach children about the science of caring for pets and understanding more about the animal kingdom.​​​​​​​​​
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13th Year Support
Youth who attend the GAP program for at least 2 years prior to graduation, and are active participants in the EOP support activities, are eligible to receive GAP support throughout their 13th year of school with both a Fall and Spring Award based on their attending during the Fall and Spring terms.​
Robotics &
Engineering​
Participants learn about careers in engineering, programming languages, and how to build a working machine, and more.
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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.​​​
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Enrichment Activities
​While GAP's primary thrust is academic support, students participate in a range of out-of-school activities to stimulate learning in various environments. Activities include: Swim lessons, Girls' Dance, Robotics (detailed above), and Basketball and Jumprope (in the summer). All of these incredible benefits are contingent on participation in the academic support program during the Fall and Spring Term.
Mentoring​​
Boyz Mentoring
Young male students are paired one-to-one with an older male mentor and guide during weekly discussion and activity sessions. Students prepare weekly essays, maintain a journal, and engage with speakers and field trips trhoughout the year.
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Employment Opportunity Program (EOP)
EOP prepares 9th- 12th grade students for future employment and educational opportunities. In addition to receiving academic support, students who enroll in the EOP program receive opportunity to participate in a focused learning experience led by a qualified human development specialist. Each term has a different unit of focus for 8 weeks: Social Well-Being & Mental Health; Leadership Development; and the final phase called the 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 a new work experience, furthering the development of their career plans, or supporting their eligibility for future awards.
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Three Sessions A Year
In January, GAP utilizes virtual services to provide academic support and enrichment during the difficult winter season.
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From February to mid-May GAP provides On-Site support with a focus on hands-on learning, 1:1 and small group tutoring.
The GAP summer session operates June-July. The program focuses on field trips and outdoor experiences, swimming, basketball, and jump rope.
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In August, 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 GAP transportation support.​
Family Leader
Development
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.
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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 development services.
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Family Development Support Services ​
The Family Development Support Service provides 4 weeks of small group parenting sessions in the Fall and Spring (using Zoom) to talk with a development specialist about concerns in pursuing success in and out of school for their children.
A commnunity discussion event is held once a year, and some smaller Sunday dinner activities to help families engage around the topics and issues that concern them.
​ A series of podcast and video library resources are being developed to also assist individual Family Leaders to identify and then schedule 1:1 time for visits with the specialist..
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. The goal in providing this meal is to
provide an opportunity for families to socialize and create a sense of community.​​
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Transportation
Transportation is available to support student engagement in the On-Site program within a limited range around the original program site. 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. Otherwise it is the responsibility of the families to arrange for transportation to and from the program.
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