What is AVID?
AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. AVID students are bright students who 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 underserved 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 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. Of the 22,210 AVID 2010 seniors who reported their plans: 99.6% graduated from high school; 91.2% completed college-entrance requirements; 91.3% intended to attend a postsecondary institution (58.3% in four-year institutions & 33.0% in two-year institutions).
What is the AVID Elective?
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 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. The AVID elective course also provides inspirational guest speakers and enlightening college tours.
What is required of an AVID student?
AVID students are required to carry a binder in which materials from all academic classes are kept. Students keep track of assignments on assignment logs 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 and may jeopardize their participation in school functions and/or extracurricular activities.
What are AVID Tutors & what do they do?
AVID tutors are typically college students who receive training in the methodologies used in AVID: the writing process, Socratic questioning, collaborative learning, and reading. They are in the classroom weekly to serve as role models and help students achieve success in rigorous classes. Led by tutors, students participate in tutorial groups in the AVID classroom. Tutors are trained not to give students answers, but rather to guide them towards answers.
What can parents do to support AVID students?
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.
What can students do if they are interested in AVID?
Students who would like to be considered for the 7th grade AVID program must complete the AVID application packet and return it to the Media Center at Three Oaks Middle on or before April 7th. Students who are selected to participate in the final stage of the AVID recruitment process will participate in an interview with the AVID Site Team. Please note that FSA Reading and Math scores may result in an alternative academic placement in place of the AVID elective class.