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PURPOSE FOR THIS EVENING...

Welcome you to Kickapoo High School
Learn about our programs and offerings
Familiarize parents with scheduling for 2026-2027
Begin your thought processes about ways to ensure your student’s success at Kickapoo
Promote the importance of involvement (parents and students)
Foster partnerships for the future

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WE ARE KICKAPOO

GO CHIEFS!

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THE MISSION OF KICKAPOO HIGH SCHOOL IS TO FACILITATE A HIGH LEVEL OF LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE TO PREPARE ALL STUDENTS FOR THEIR FUTURES IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY.�

#OneTribe

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OUR VISION

Kickapoo High School will be a nationally recognized and comprehensive high school that:

offers an engaging and rigorous curriculum
continually increases the use of the latest technology
promotes a highly competitive and wide-ranging array of MSHSAA-sponsored and extra-curricular activities
develops mutually beneficial partnerships with students, parents, and community
maintains a safe and positive learning environment

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OUR FOCUS

Critical thinking and problem solving

College and Career Readiness

Something for Everyone

Individualize

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WHO WE ARE

Established in 1971

Current Enrollment - 1765 seated & 2000 total

Six Administrators

Five Counselors

Director - Kickapoo University

A+ Coordinator

Intervention Specialist

100 Teachers

10 + Support Staff

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CONNECT WITH US

Facebook - Kickapoo High School

X - @KickapooChiefs

Instagram - @KickapooHighSchool

Website - kickapoochiefs.org

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DR. BILL POWERS�PRINCIPAL

Mrs. Leslie Helfrecht – Asst. Principal
Mrs. Stephanie House – Asst. Principal
Mrs. Belinda Martin – Asst. Principal
Mr. Scot Phillips – Asst. Principal
Mr. Kyle Johnson – CSI
Mrs. Kim Harris – A+ Coordinator
Mrs. Melissa Sharpsteen – Kickapoo U Director

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TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

High academic expectations
Extra-curricular and co-curricular opportunities
Involvement equals academic success

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FOUR BLOCK SCHEDULE

Advantages for Students:

Four courses per semester – earn 32 Credits
More time to master concepts
Fewer tests, quizzes, and homework
Opportunity to take AP and dual credit courses
Time to build relationships with staff
More opportunities to retake classes if necessary

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FOUR BLOCK SCHEDULE

2026 - 2027

Challenges for Freshmen:

Faster pace – more to learn each day
Harder to make up work when absent
Credits earned each quarter

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8-BLOCK SCHEDULE

2027 - 2028 & Beyond

Four classes each day for total of 8
Even Day and Odd Day Schedule
Classes all year long
More time to master concepts
Time to build relationships with staff

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KHS = OPPORTUNITY

Academic success

Four-year comprehensive experience

College and Career Readiness

A+ Program

Kickapoo University Program

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KICKAPOO A+

Mrs. Kim Harris: A+ Coordinator

Mrs. J.J. Dixon: A+ Admin Assistant

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WHAT IS A+?

A school improvement program with a goal to ensure all students who graduate from Missouri high schools are prepare to pursue advanced education and employment

2 years of free tuition at any Missouri Community College or Technical School

--OR--

Scholarships opportunities at many 4-year schools

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A+ REQUIREMENTS

By graduation in May 2030, a student must:

Earn a non-weighted GPA of 2.5 or higher
Have a cumulative attendance record of 95% for all 4 years of high school
Complete 50 hours of Tutoring

Course: Tutoring 3020 - Jr. or Sr. year

Score Proficient or Advanced on the Algebra I EOC test
Maintain a good citizenship record

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2.50 GPA

A+ uses the student’s non-weighted GPA
This is the cumulative GPA for all 4 years of high school
It cannot be rounded up

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95% ATTENDANCE

The 4-year attendance record begins on the first day of the 9^th grade year

All absences (except for school activities) count against your attendance rate

The percentage at graduation is final and cannot be rounded up

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50 TUTORING HOURS

Take the Tutoring 3020 Course 11^th or 12^th Grade Year

Students tutor at the elementary, middle, or high school levels

Summer school tutoring is also available

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MATH REQUIREMENT

Score Proficient or Advanced on the Algebra I EOC

-OR-

Score a 17 or higher on the math portion of the ACT

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WHAT IS GOOD CITIZENSHIP?

Avoid drug, alcohol, bullying and/or weapon violations
Limited assignments to ISS and OSS
Students who make mistakes are expected to learn from them and, after demonstrating improvement in citizenship, may be reinstated
ISS or OSS assignments can cause a student to be “out-of-compliance” -- student can go through an appeal process their 12th grade year to be considered for reinstatement

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WHEN TO GET STARTED?

Start working toward A+ eligibility the 1^st day of the 9^th grade year

Timeline:

8^th & 9^th grade: Score Proficient or higher on Algebra I EOC
9^th & 10^th grade: Focus on attendance, grades and citizenship
11^th & 12^th grade: Continue focusing on attendance, grades and citizenship — take the Tutoring 3020 class to earn your 50 hours of tutoring

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WHY A+?

A very reliable education option
Education insurance
Personal Growth (intangibles)
ALL A+ qualifiers may take advantage of A+ $ the first summer after high school graduation

Get 6-9 credit hours paid for!

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WELCOME 8TH GRADE PARENTS!

Kickapoo High School

Class of 2030

8^th Grade Orientation

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

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COUNSELORS

Mrs. Mavie Busboom

A - Cr

Mrs. Amy Moran

Cu - Hi

Mr. Garrett Lombas

HL - Mc

Mrs. Lorrie Miller

Me - Sa

Mrs. Shawn Wallace

Sc - Z

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English Language Arts – 4 Credits	Must Include English I, II, and III (or Honors; 1 credit each=3 credits) + 1 additional credit of English
Math – 3 Credits	While only 3 credits are required, 4 are recommended
Social Studies – 3 Credits	US History (or H), World History (or H), American Government & Civics or AP US Government & Politics (1 credit each)
Science – 3 Credits	Integrated Science (or H; 1 credit) ; Intro., General, or Honors Biology (1 credit each) and any additional 1 credit of science
Physical Ed. – 1.5 Credits	.5 credit must be taken in 9th grade
Health – .5 Credit	Required to take in 9th grade
Personal Finance - .5 Credit	Taken during 11th or 12th grade
Practical Art – 1 Credit	Business, FACS, PLTW, or Technology Education
Fine Art – 1 Credit	Music, Visual Arts, and Theater
7.5 Additional Credits	These 7.5 credits can come from any subject area
= 25 Total Credits

Graduation Requirements: High School Planning Guide

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POINTS TO CONSIDER - ACADEMICS

Grades will be letter grade only - no +’s or -’s
MINIMUM GPA FOR DISTINCTION

summa cum laude 4.20
magna cum laude 3.80
cum laude 3.50

Students must have 30 credits to qualify for an honors diploma

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POINTS TO CONSIDER - ATHLETICS

MSHSAA

You must be enrolled in and pass 3.5 credits

NCAA (www.eligibilitycenter.org)

Eligibility is different from graduation requirements

You will need to register and ensure you are meeting eligibility requirements

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SPS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Below items will go home with students from their Middle School:

Instructions for filling out Selection of Studies

Course Recommendation Report (Cherokee & Carver only)

Freshmen Frenzy Information

All students will schedule using a Google Form.

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HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION PLANNING GUIDE

This helpful guide offers information on programs and courses offered by Springfield Public Schools. It also includes course descriptions and prerequisites.

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MATH COURSES

Your student’s math teacher will recommend the appropriate math course.

8th Grade Math

Algebra I - Most students
Algebra IA/IB - Students who need math support

Algebra IA/IB will only count for 1 credit towards NCAA eligibility.

Algebra I

With a A- or higher → Geometry Honors
With a B- to B+ → Geometry
With a C+ or lower → Algebra I

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INDIVIDUAL CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLAN

Your student should have completed one with their middle school counselor

We will update this during classroom lessons freshman year

To update or review, please have your student access their ICAP through Missouri Connections

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COUNSELOR VISITS TO MIDDLE SCHOOLS

January 14 – KHS Counselor meets with Reed students
January 15 – KHS Counselor meets with Pershing students
January 15 – KHS Counselors meet with Cherokee students
January 16 – KHS Counselors meet with Carver students

Make sure your student knows your email address

Students from other middle schools coming to KHS will have scheduling information sent to their middle school counselors
Students who are not currently enrolled in Springfield Public Schools may pick up a packet at the close of the meeting

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SCHEDULING PROCEDURES

You can access this PowerPoint at the Counselor’s Corner at kickapoochiefs.org

Scheduling information will be on the KHS Website. Look for 9th Grade Scheduling.

This Scheduling Video walks students through the process of entering their schedule.

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SCHEDULE CHANGES

Students must make any schedule change requests at least two days prior to the beginning of the quarter via the schedule change form. No schedule changes will be made without a completed schedule change form. Appeal changes only may be requested within the first two days of the quarter and may require administrator approval.

Examples of reasons a schedule may be changed during the first two days of a quarter:

Academic misplacement
Replacing a successfully completed summer school course
Program change
Scheduling error or missing a prerequisite

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SUMMER SCHOOL (EXPLORE)

Registration date TBD
All High School Classes will be online (Launch)
Sessions

First session – June 1st - 26th
Second session – July 6th - 31st

Additional information and registration at www.sps.org/explore

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FRESHMAN FRENZY

Thursday, Aug. 13^th, 2026 - 10 a.m. to Noon

Freshman Frenzy –

Students only

Thursday, Aug. 13^th, 2026 - 6 p.m.

Orientation

- Parents & Students

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Honors Information

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FRESHMAN HONORS COURSES

Honors classes in 9^th grade do not count as weighted credit. They are beneficial in preparing students for future advanced/weighted courses.

Most freshmen do not have an option to earn weighted credit. The only courses that earn weighted credit in 9^th grade are Level 3 World Language classes.

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HONORS? IS IT FOR MY CHILD?

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IS YOUR CHILD CURIOUS ABOUT THE WORLD?

Do they read on their own?

Do they enjoy writing?

Do they like to dig deeper into subjects?

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IF YOU THINK IT IS BEST FOR YOUR CHILD . . .

Ask them what they think. Their opinion matters

Remember . . . Honors is not for everyone

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HONORS CONTACTS

Geometry Honors Scott Neeman scneeman@spsmail.org

US History Honors Jennifer Wells jmwells@spsmail.org

English I Honors Allison Armstrong akarmstrong@spsmail.org

Integrated Science Honors Marci Adams mnadams@spsmail.org

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THANK YOU FOR COMING!

Kickapoo U, A+ and Department Representatives in Commons

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