AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It is a college preparatory program that helps students learn the skills necessary to take honors and AP classes in high school with the eventual outcome of attending a four-year college.
AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. AVID students have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. Typically, they are capable of completing rigorous curriculum but are falling short of their potential, they may be the first in their families to attend college or underrepresented in the college system. AVID pulls these students out of their unchallenging courses and puts them on the college track: acceleration instead of remediation.

Almost all AVID students who participate for at least three years in high school are accepted to college, with roughly three quarters getting into four‐year universities. AVID students are more likely to take AP® classes, complete their college eligibility requirements, and get into four‐year colleges than students who don’t take AVID. Since 1990, more than 85,500 AVID students have graduated from high school and planned to attend college.

For one period within the regular school day, AVID students learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking probing questions, get academic help from peers and cross‐trained/college tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make college seem attainable. Their self‐images improve, and they become academically successful leaders and role models for other students. The writing process, Socratic questioning, collaborative learning, and reading are core strategies of the program.

AVID students are required to carry a binder in which materials from all academic classes are kept. Students keep track of assignments in their agenda and are required to take notes in all academic classes. Their notebooks are graded for content and organization by the AVID elective teacher. In addition, students are taught study skills, test preparation, time management and the writing process.

As leaders in our school, AVID students are held to the highest academic and behavioral standards. Not only are they expected to maintain good academic standing in the most challenging classes, but they must also exhibit the highest standards of behavior. Students who fail to meet these standards may be exited from the AVID program.

Communication between the AVID teacher and parent(s) is essential. At home, parents can see to it that students are doing their homework in a quiet place with few interruptions. By asking students about their day, and inquiring about homework and the events at schools, parents bridge the gap between a student’s school life and home life. When the two are connected, student success increases. In addition, when parents stress the belief that their child can succeed in middle and high school and attend college, students are motivated to work harder and achieve more.

Students who would like to be considered for the AVID program must complete the online AVID application.

Complete the application.