AVID

Advancement Via Individual Determination

What is AVID?

AVID (more about AVID) is an elective class for students who are capable of completing a college-prep path, but need extra support. This course helps students prepare for college and pushes them to take harder, more rigorous classes in high school.

AVID is based on WICR:

• writing as a tool of learning
  
• the inquiry method
  
• collaborative grouping
  
• academic reading

It also gives students the chance to tour college campuses, hear from guest speakers and it offers group tutoring sessions two times a week.

AVID at APS

• AVID started out at only 5 schools (Hayes Middle, Highland High, Manzano High, Van Buren Middle, and Wilson Middle) in 2009
  

• Student enrollment increased from 321 students in ‘09-’10 to 923 students in ‘10-'11

• AVID is having their first graduating class this spring (14 students at Highland and 25 at Manzano)

• Jefferson Middle School and Rio Grande High School will implement the program next year

• AVID is making a positive change in students’ views of their academic future

Growth of AVID at APS

Because of its success, the program gradually expanded to 21 schools.

What are the requirements to take an AVID class?

APS' AVID programs are for students grades 7-12 who are not necessarily college-bound, but who are willing to work hard and push themselves, and will hopefully become college-bound by the end of their high school career. AVID looks for students who have:

• good SBA scores
  
• a 2.0-3.5 GPA in non-weighted classes
  
• a good attendance record
  
• the desire and determination to take challenging courses, such as AP and honors classes, and do well in them
  

Also, those who are the first college-bound students in their families, historically under-represented in four-year colleges, or economically disadvantaged are given priority in the application process.

How to enroll in AVID?

Students can contact one of the school’s counselors, teachers, and/or the principal by email or by talking to them during the school day. They will be given the application, which states the requirements and terms of taking the class. A scheduled interview in front of the site team is also part of the application process.Students will apply for this course during or prior to registration. Students can contact the schools for more information.

Cardboard Confessions by the 8th Grade AVID Class at Cleveland Middle School

Created by eighth graders in the AVID program at Cleveland Middle School, to celebrate the success of the school’s program, which is in its first year.

AVID teacher Jacob Haner helped the students create the video, which premiered at a student assembly, where it received an enthusiastic reception.

“I wanted to have the eighth graders start a tradition that all the seventh grade AVID students would really look forward to being able to do and that the rest of the school would be able to see on a yearly basis,” said Haner, who said he got the idea for the video from a National AVID website.