Students are taking their future into their own hands while still in high school. A record number of students at Carthage High School are enrolled in the A+ Program. The class allows them to tutor younger students in the district and requires them to have high attendance and a 2.5 GPA. In return for completing the program, they can have paid tuition and fees at any Missouri two year or technical college. One participant, who wants to be a teacher, says it gives her real world experience and more appreciation for her teachers.

"I helped this kid with math subtracting and he got a really good grade on his test," said A+ tutor Savannah Scott. "He was very, very happy. He hugged me and said thank you Savannah, thank you Ms. Savannah. That's what they call me Ms. Savannah. It's cute." The coordinator says the bad economy has also played a roll in increased participation because more students need the scholarship money.