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AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.
Currently, Pomona students begin experiencing AVID in 4 of our elementary schools. In 2024-25, we are welcoming AVID Elementary to Cortez TK-8, making it our only AVID K-8 school. These students practice college and career readiness strategies for writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading daily in their classrooms.
For 11 Pomona secondary schools (grades 7-12), AVID is an approved elective course taken during the school day. Students are usually selected to enroll in an AVID class after an application process. For one class period a day, they 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. Secondary students enrolled in AVID are typically required to enroll in at least one of their school's toughest classes, such as honors or Advanced Placement®, in addition to the AVID elective. As students progress in AVID, their self-images improve, and they become academically successful leaders and role models for other students.
AVID closes the achievement gap for all students: Almost all AVID students who participate for at least three years are accepted to college, with about 3/4 getting into four-year universities.
Regardless of ethnicity or economic background, AVID students complete four-year college entrance requirements at a rate more than twice that of their peers.
The AVID Student
AVID targets students in the academic middle - B, C, and even D students - who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. These are students who are capable of completing rigorous curriculum but are falling short of their potential. Typically, they will be the first in their families to attend college, and many are from low-income or minority families. AVID pulls these students out of their unchallenging courses and puts them on the college track: acceleration instead of remediation.
Pomona AVID District Directors Office Contact 909-397-4711
Ed Services Program Administrator: Christine Cruz-Arvayo ext. 21221
Ed Services Teacher Specialist: Delbert Duckins ext. 21241
Ed Services Teacher Specialist: Ashlee Peters ext.21224
Participating AVID Schools
Participating AVID Schools
Elementary
Coming Soon: Vejar Elementary
Middle Schools:
7-12 Academy:
Fremont Academy of Engineering and Design College Preparatory
High Schools:
Diamond Ranch College Preparatory
Pomona High College Preparatory
It began with inspired and determined students and the educational professionals who advocated for them.
THE HISTORY OF AVID
From one classroom of 32 students to serving more than 2 million students today, AVID has made the dream of college a reality for countless individuals.
See videos of AVID through the years in our YouTube channel.
1980
Teachers at Clairemont High School had low expectations for students bussed in from disadvantaged areas of San Diego, which caused a belief that these students could not succeed. Mary Catherine Swanson, English department head and teacher, believed if students were willing to work hard she could teach them the skills needed to be college-ready.
1986
The AVID system proved to be so successful at Clairemont High School that the California Department of Education granted funds to disseminate the AVID program throughout San Diego County.
1989
Summer Institute was introduced as the core event for AVID professional learning. The first AVID Summer Institute was held at the University of San Diego, with 258 attendees.
1991
Swanson won the $50,000 Dana Award for Pioneering Achievement in Education, the only public-school teacher ever so honored. The award brought national recognition and growth for AVID.
1992
AVID Center was established as a nonprofit to help serve schools across the nation and around the world. AVID Center would help ensure schools had the professional learning and resources they needed to deliver AVID with quality and fidelity no matter the location.
1996
AVID has expanded to all regions of California, as well as many other states and Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS).
2001
Swanson was featured as America’s Best Teacher by TIME Magazine, highlighting her simple philosophy of raising expectations and giving students the support they need. The article noted that AVID had become widely regarded as one of the most effective educational reforms ever created by a teacher.
2003
The College Board co-sponsored the first-ever AVID National Conference. Today AVID National Conference is the premier forum to discuss and share best practices, attracting thousands of thought leaders and educators from across the nation annually.
2007
AVID Elementary was launched nationwide, allowing young students to develop strong academic habits early to provide the academic foundation needed to start on a path for college and career success.
2010
AVID for Higher Education was developed, allowing AVID to reach educators and students at all levels, K–16, through customizable professional learning and by helping colleges strengthen their student services and the freshman experience.
2015
AVID introduces AVID Excel nationwide at Summer Institute to interrupt students’ path to long-term ELL status, accelerate their language acquisition, and put them on a path to AVID and college preparatory coursework.
TODAY
AVID is implemented in more than 7,000 schools in 47 states across the U.S., plus schools in Department of Defense Education, Canada, and Australia. AVID impacts more than 2 million students in grades K–12 and 62 postsecondary institutions.
College Intern Tutor Flyer 2025.pdf
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