Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a sixth grade through high school program to prepare students in the academic middle with the potential for success in the rigorous secondary curriculum for four-year college eligibility.
The Focus
AVID is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. The focus of AVID is to ensure that all students are capable of completing a college preparatory path, will succeed in rigorous curriculum, will enter mainstream activities of the school, will increase their enrollment in four-year universities and colleges, and will become educated and responsible participants in a democratic society. AVID is an academic, regularly scheduled elective program 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, and motivational activities. The goal of AVID is to educate the “whole student.” This is achieved by unifying six important elements in education: students, curriculum, faculty, tutors, parents, and community.
Mission Statement
AVID’s Mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.
Eligibility
AVID students are students in the academic middle who have not previously succeeded in a rigorous college preparatory path but are capable of doing so. AVID program participants must choose to participate and demonstrate this choice by completing an application and interview process. If selected, AVID students enroll in rigorous academic classes and in the AVID elective class, where they receive academic support.
AVID Curriculum
The AVID curriculum, based on over 30 years of research and rigorous standards, is developed by middle and senior high school teachers in collaboration with college professors. It emphasizes teaching pedagogy which focuses on writing-to-learn, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading for comprehension. This allows college preparatory classes to be accessible to all students.
AVID Tutoring
Tutors are available in the AVID elective class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They facilitate student access to rigorous curriculum. As students from colleges and universities, tutors also serve as role models. Tutors are trained to provide academic support. They receive 16 hours of instructional training in writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading comprehension.
