High School Acceleration Programs / AVID

What is AVID?

is a college readiness system for elementary through higher education that is designed to prepare students in the academic middle for four year college eligibility and completion. It has a proven track record in bringing out the best in students, and in closing the achievement gap.

AVID's mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing students for college readiness and success in a global society.

Not only are students enrolled in their school's most rigorous classes, such as honors and Advanced Placement, but also in the AVID elective. For one period a day, they learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and ask probing questions, receive 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 AVID curriculum, based on rigorous standards, was developed by middle and senior high school teachers in collaboration with college professors. It is driven by the method, which stands for writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading. AVID curriculum is used in AVID elective classes and in content-area classes in AVID schools.

AVID parents and guardians encourage their students to achieve academically, participate on an advisory board and in AVID parent and site team meetings, and maintain regular contact with the AVID coordinator. Many parents and students participate in AVID Family Workshops.

Colleges demonstrate their support of AVID programs in many ways: may provide class speakers; offer college credit courses to AVID high school students; include AVID students in residential, academically-oriented summer bridge programs; and follow and support the progress of AVID students during their college careers. The community supports AVID by providing speakers, mentors, and other resources for AVID students.

State-funded, independent research together with AVID's own data, validate that the AVID college-readiness system works. 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. Almost all AVID students who participate for at least three years are accepted into college, with roughly three quarters being accepted into four-year universities. AVID also helps ensure students, once accepted to college, possess the higher-level skills they need for college success.

AVID is currently offered at 15 sites in our district, 1 Elementary, 8 Middle, 1 Middle/High and 5 High schools. Each site has an AVID coordinator who is responsible for recruitment and implementation of the program. Please see your school's coordinator for more specific information.

AVID Elementary is a foundational component of the AVID College Readiness System that supports AVID's mission and vision. As a school wide approach AVID Elementary focuses on embedding researched based instructional best practices in the areas of instruction, culture, leadership, and systems. All AVID Elementary schools work with the teachers, staff, families, and students to build a college and career going culture that increases student success in all content areas.

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