GAINESVILLE - If a high school kid wonders why he should stay in school...now there is a $300,000 answer.

Thursday, United Way of North Central Florida announced they received an AT&T grant, funding a high school dropout prevention program that works with ninth graders in at-risk schools.

It was one of only 47 recipients nationwide receiving the AT&T Aspire grant. 

Supporters and community leaders say there needs to be serious conversations about keeping kids in school sooner rather than later.

The program, called "Check and Connect" puts dropout prevention specialists in Gainesville High School, Eastside High School and Hawthorne High School.

Each specilist will work w ith 40 to 50  students at each school, as well as their families.