Chelsea Center

As the end of the school year grows closer, students may be asking if they are eligible for the A+ program. We've discovered through informal conversation that many students mistakenly assume they won't qualify because they think they need a GPA that is in the A+/4.0 range! A full list of criteria is available on the school's website, but a very brief qualification summary is a GPA of at least 2.5 and 50 volunteer/unpaid service hours involving mentoring others. As a reminder, the A+ program will provide up to two years of free courses at community colleges and trade schools in Missouri if students meet the criteria. The program is administered through Dr. Klenke-Galbreath's office.

The Chelsea Center keeps the GivePulse database of opportunities that can help students find agency partners offering volunteer opportunities that qualify for A+ hours, but students are also free to search for their own opportunities. Some recent examples of A+ hour impacts we've approved include volunteering for on-site childcare during the services of a faith community, mentoring fellow Scouts during an Eagle Scout project or other Scout activity, assisting with sports camps for younger students, volunteering at a community childcare center, volunteering as a counselor at a summer camp last summer, and tutoring both peers and younger students.

Please help us to encourage ALL students to become familiar with, and take advantage of, the A+ program. Even if students don't anticipate enrolling in a community college or tech school, the program can cover the costs of individual courses taken as prerequisites, or summer courses taken to supplement the 4 year college curriculum. Additionally, some 4 year colleges award scholarship money if the student has that A+ designation on their transcript.

Program administration questions such as enrollment and qualification should be directed to Dr. Jenna Klenke-Galbreath at klenkegalbreath.jenna@wgmail.org. Questions about finding opportunities or entering hours served should be directed to Patrick Bommarito in the Chelsea Center at bommarito.patrick@wgmail.org.

Reminder: We can help students who are pursuing their A+ hours find connections to service learning that include the mentorship or job shadowing components the A+ program requires. Have your students stop by to talk with us, or independently explore their GivePulse account opportunity listings by using their school google email credentials at wgsd.givepulse.com.

For more information please contact Dr. Kerry Arens, Coordinator of the Chelsea Center

Email: arens.kerry@wgmail.org
Website: https://hs.webster.k12.mo.us/programs/chelsea-center
Location: Webster Groves High School, Room 200
Phone: (314) 918-4181