Track to Teacher Program: 2025-2026

Track to Teacher Program:

We will be accepting applications until 5/18/2025. 

I. Purpose

The Classical Charter Schools of America recognizes the importance of continuing professional education at an accredited educational institution. Our purpose for the Track to Teacher Program is to provide tuition assistance to full-time employees to pursue a degree that results in North Carolina Teacher Licensure. At CCS-A, our vision is to inculcate the four classical virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance and the three attributes of faith, hope, and charity.

The mission of CCS-A is, for the next generation, to teach the rules and techniques for effective expression and communication in the arts and sciences, to communicate, by these arts and sciences, our understandings of the universe and our role in it, and to instill a love of learning and discovery, justifying a life-long dedication to health, truth, and virtue for our students and we want to instill the same mission and passion for our staff. 

Therefore, CCS-A offers tuition reimbursement to full-time employees who voluntarily enroll in course work at an accredited educational institution.  Selected employees will be reimbursed for tuition, books, and fees upon successful completion of the coursework, so long as the coursework is approved by the Headmaster or designee and in accordance with the Track to Teacher Program guidelines as described below.

II. Policy

Eligibility:

The Track to Teacher Program will have a limited number of awards available each year and priority will be given to applicants from schools within our organization with the lowest percentage of licensed, certified teachers.   Employees who have completed one year of employment are eligible for selection in the Track to Teacher Program.  To receive tuition reimbursement, the employee must be employed full time with Classical Charter Schools of America at the time of application, throughout the coursework, and at the time of payment. Recipients must remain in good standing both academically and as an employee throughout their participation in the program.  Staff who receive an award for funds from the previous school year will be prioritized the following school year.

Course Work Covered:

• Course work should be taken at an accredited college, university, community college, or technical college.


• Course work should be courses that result in NC Teacher Certification Licensure.


• Continuing education courses required to maintain professional licensure are not covered under this policy.
  

Grade Requirements:

To receive tuition reimbursement, the employee must complete the course and receive a passing grade as established by the institution. Passing grades are generally: 

• “C” or higher for undergraduate course work 


• “B” or higher for graduate course work 


• “Pass” in a pass-fail situation 

Passing grades that differ from those above must be submitted along with the educational institution’s guidelines on passing grades. If the course is not subject to grading, documentation showing the course was completed successfully is required.

Eligible Expenses:

Eligible expenses include tuition, books, and fees required for the course. Such expenses may not exceed $5,000 per fiscal year. Fees associated with online courses, such as registration fees for a course, are eligible to be included in the $5,000 per fiscal year maximum. Reimbursement for job required certifications, license renewals, and department-initiated training necessary for employee growth and development in a position currently held are paid for by that department if pre-approved and do not go through the tuition reimbursement process.

Ineligible Expenses:

The following expenses are ineligible: 

• Meals, lodging, parking, and transportation 


• Workshops, conferences, and seminars 


• Reimbursement for costs covered by other grants or programs 


• Penalties or interest accrued on eligible expenses that were paid untimely 


• Department initiated training or courses are not covered under this policy

Amount to be Reimbursed:

Total costs are limited to $5,000 per fiscal year, from July 1 through June 30. Courses completed during the fiscal year will be charged against the maximum reimbursement amount for that fiscal year. To be reimbursed, an employee shall certify the amount and other funds received for educational purposes from federal, state, veterans’ benefits, scholarships, stipends, or grants. CCS-A will pay the difference between the cost and the amount paid by the above, up to $5,000 per fiscal year.

Notice: CCS-America requires full repayment of reimbursed tuition costs in the event of an employee’s separation from employment within three years of reimbursement.