AVID

What is AVID?

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an academic, regularly scheduled elective class based on writing as a tool of learning, inquiry method and collaborative grouping. The three main components of the program are:

-Academic instruction

-Tutorial support

-Motivational activities

AVID’s systemic approach is designed to support students and educators as they increase schoolwide/districtwide learning and performance.

Secondary Campuses - AVID is offered to 7th – 12th graders as an elective course that, like any other class, meets regularly. Each week, students receive two hours of instruction, two hours in tutor led study groups, and one hour in motivational activities and academic survival skills, including critical reading and writing skills. AVID students are encouraged to take pre-advanced placement courses (in junior high school) and move into honors/advanced placement courses and/or International Baccalaureate. AVID is a state approved innovative course, and students in grades nine through twelve receive an elective credit for the course each year.

Students who take an AVID elective learn: 

Writing skills

Inquiry processes

Collaboration techniques

Organization tools

Reading skills

Elementary Campuses - AVID strategies are embedded throughout the primary grades curriculum. Students receive the following strategies in their multi-subject non-elective classrooms: Organizational Tools, Student Success Skills, Partnerships, and WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading). The utilization of these skills will help students’ preparation for junior high and create a smoother transition as well.


Application

Potential AVID students who wish to join the AVID Elective must complete an application during the registration process for the following school year (this usually takes during February – March for the following school year). Interested students are encouraged to contact their AVID Site Counselor. 

Guiding Principle

AVID has one guiding principle: “Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge.”

Read more about the AVID program by viewing its official website

Mission of AVID

To ensure that ALL students, and most especially the least served students who are in the middle:

•will succeed in rigorous curriculum

•will complete a rigorous college preparatory path

•will enter mainstream activities of the school

•will increase their enrollment in four-year colleges

•will become educated and responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society

AVID’s systemic approach is designed to support students and educators as they increase school-wide and district-wide learning and performance.

Program Statistics

AVID students complete four-year college entrance requirements at a rate that is at least two times the national rate. Additionally, three out of four AVID graduates who apply to four-year colleges or universities are accepted.

Over 30 years, AVID has become one of the most successful college-preparatory programs ever for low-income, underserved students, and today reaches approximately 400,000 students in nearly 4,500 schools in 45 states and 16 other countries.

Currently, 94.3% of AVID students report enrolling in college, 75% in four-year institutions and 17.2% in community colleges. 

Who is the AVID Student?

AVID targets students in the academic middle - B, C, and even D students - who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. These are students who are capable of completing rigorous curriculum but are falling short of their potential. 

Typically, they will be the first in their families to attend college, and many are from low-income or minority families. AVID pulls these students out of their unchallenging courses and puts them on the college track: acceleration instead of remediation.

Students with academic potential:

Average to high test scores

2.0 - 3.5 GPA

College potential with support

Desire and determination

First to attend college

Historically underserved in four year colleges

Low income

Special circumstances

AVID presupposes high school graduation and has university eligibility as its goal!

AVID Curriculum

AVID students complete college readiness activities and assignments to prepare them for the rigors of college. AVID students commit to weekly binder checks and bi-weekly progress report checks. They engage in AVID tutorials twice a week with college-aged tutors who guide and support them. AVID students also commit to extracurricular participation and community service and engage in career, college, and financial aid research.  AVID's curriculum is based on rigorous standards developed by middle and high school teachers in collaboration with college professors.  WICOR methodology - Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading 

Why AVID Works

Between the remedial programs for students who lag far behind, and the gifted-and-talented programs for a school’s brightest children, lies the silent majority: average students, who do “okay” in ordinary classes but, because they don’t attract attention to themselves, are left alone. Many of these students hunger for more challenging coursework but fear failure. Their potential lies dormant, waiting to be recognized, encouraged and supported. 

AVID at a Glance

What AVID is . . .

AVID is an acronym that stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.

AVID is an in-school academic support program for grades 5-12 that prepares students for

college eligibility and success.

AVID places academically average students in advanced classes.

AVID levels the playing field for minority, rural, low-income and other students without a

college-going tradition in their families.

AVID is for all students, but it targets those in the academic middle.

AVID is implemented schoolwide and districtwide.

What AVID Isn’t . . .

AVID isn’t a remedial program.

AVID isn’t a free ride.

AVID isn’t a niche program.

AVID isn’t a college outreach program.