Students Get “Holiday Bonus” Checks

A Bulldog pep rally was held Friday morning for students at Centennial High School in Pueblo.

But instead of celebrating a sports victory, students received big praise for accomplishments in the classroom. Every student who took an advance placement class last year and scored big on the final test received a cash bonus.

“It just adds credibility to teachers who say you work hard, you will be rewarded,” said Tharyn Mulberry, principal at Centennial High School.

The students were rewarded with $100 checks depending on their individual achievements. The payments were made possible by a grant from the Colorado Legacy Foundation.

“It has unprecedented results. Across the country, we are closing the achievement gap especially with math and science work,” said Samantha Long, director at Colorado Legacy Foundation.

The high school was awarded the grant in March of 2010. The purpose is to help cover costs for training and enhanced skill techniques that teachers can use to teach these advanced classes.

The incentive money was originally intended as an incentive for the teachers. Instead, the teachers decided to pass it along to their students.

A total of $6,100 was handed out to students on Friday.

These AP classes are equivalent to undergraduates classes and are sponsored by the College Board.

The school plans to continue the incentive program in the years to come.