DENVER -- Thirty Colorado high schools will soon be selected to take part in an innovative program designed to turn more students on to math, science and English.

That innovative program, called the Colorado Legacy Schools Program, will be funded with a $10.5 million grant from the National Math/Science Initiative.

The Colorado Legacy Foundation announced confirmation of the grant on Tuesday morning.

Foundation President/CEO Helayne Jones told 7NEWS that the money will be used to replicate a national program called the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program.

Jones said, “This program is about getting students that are not traditionally “A” students into those (advanced) courses and passing the test.”

"What this program is about,” she said, “is taking a philosophy that any student who wants to challenge themselves, to delve into curriculum, to learn more about science or math, should be given that opportunity and should be supported."

That support is a key component, Jones said.

The support consists of teacher training so they can learn to engage a non- traditional student.

“Expectations are raised,” Jones said. “There’s a Saturday component to this program. There are test prep sessions, tutoring and mentoring.”

“What it’s saying,” Jones said, “is that if you’re a student who’s willing to take this leap, we’re going to be there to hold your hand and support you through the way and help ensure your success.”

“What we see when we do that is we actually change the entire culture of the school,” Jones said. “Because it now becomes a school that believes that all students can achieve at the highest levels.”

Another key component of the program is the financial incentive offered to both students and teachers.

Jones said the incentive won’t be offered to get students to attend class, it will be offered to motivate them to achieve.

“There’s a $100 incentive that’s given to any student who passes and gets a qualifying score,” the foundation CEO said. “There are also bonuses for teachers based on the number of students who pass.”

Jones said the teachers will have goals that they have to meet in terms of growth and enrollment in courses and growth in success.

The CEO said 7 Colorado high school are already involved in a small scale pilot program.

She said those schools have seen a 53 percent increase in the number of students taking those exams and passing.

The schools involved include:

Centennial High School - Pueblo

Columbine High School - Jeffco

Abraham Lincoln High School - Denver

James Erwin Charter School - Colo. Spgs.

Northglenn High School - Northglenn

Grand Junction High School - Grand Jct.

Fruita Monument High School - Fruita

“Nationally,” Jones said, “the schools receiving full funding have seen a 124 percent increase in the number of students earning qualifying scores on math, science and English.”

She said the nonprofit will select 10 schools this year,10 schools next year and 10 schools the third year.

“Our goal is not to stop at 30,” she said. “Our goal is to give every student the opportunity.”