Gulf Shores Middle School is one of 16 schools statewide to join Cohort 18 of theA+ College Ready College and Career Readiness Program. A+ College Ready, in partnership with the Alabama State Department of Education, is a statewide initiative that partners with secondary schools to develop a diverse pipeline of students prepared for success in college, career, and life through expanding access to Advanced Placement (AP) and other challenging coursework in grades 6-12. Participating schools receive high-quality training, incentives, supplies, curricular materials, student study sessions, AP exam subsidies, and other ongoing support. Gulf Shores Middle School will participate in this grant partnership through May 2028.

We, at Gulf Shores Middle School, are honored to have been chosen as a member of

Alabama's A+ College Ready Cohort 18, 2025-2028. As a part of our journey to become a High

Reliability School, the A+ College Ready resources provide a guaranteed, viable curriculum for

every GSMS student!

“In order for students to be successful in life after K-12 schooling, they need to be challenged and

supported in school,” said Tammy Dunn, Vice President for Academic Affairs, A+ College Ready. “This

commitment to high expectations and rigor in the classroom will have a lasting impact on these students

for years to come.”

More about A+ College Ready Requirements:

The ALSDE / A+ College Ready Program provides extensive training and support for teachers and

students in high school and middle school through our AP Training and Incentive Program (APTIP) and

our Middle School Training and Incentive Program (MSTIP). In high school, AP students participate in

virtual study sessions led by experienced master teachers, have reduced exam fees, and can earn

financial incentives based on academic success. In middle school, students can earn financial incentives

for demonstrating growth and/or achievement between the 7th and 8th grade years. For teachers this

includes:

· Weeklong summer training institutes

· Additional days of professional development throughout the year

· Ongoing support from expert content directors

· Financial stipends based on academic results

· Provision of classroom resources needed to implement AP and A+ College Ready

developed curricular frameworks.

ABOUT A+ COLLEGE READY

A+ College Ready, a program of A+ Education Partnership, holds the unshakeable belief ALL students can achieve at high levels. This proven program partners with secondary schools to develop a diverse pipeline of students prepared for success in college, career, and life. A+College Ready's high-quality, content-specific teacher training and rigorous curricula are fully aligned with the Alabama Courses of Study and the College Board's AP requirements. We support 58 total courses in math, science, English, social studies, computer science, art, and Spanish, comprising 34 non-AP courses and 24 AP courses. Since 2008, A+ College Ready has partnered with almost 500 Alabama middle and high schools. In addition to the aforementioned programs, A+ College Ready also supports teachers through the Individual AP Teacher Training & Incentive Program (ITIP), a program for individual AP teachers who are new to teaching an AP course or wish to expand access to and success in their AP courses.

A+ Education Partnership works to create an Alabama where every student has access to a

world-class education, regardless of circumstance. Driven by our relentless belief in every child,

we partner with educators, communities, and policymakers to advocate for and expand access

to a high-quality education so that every student can thrive. For more information, please visit

aplusala.org