Advancement Via Individual Determination

AVID is an academic support system for students who have the ability and desire to attend and graduate from a four-year college or university. AVID is an internationally recognized program that is based on eleven essential elements. 

Conway High School AVID has deservedly earned “highly certified” status from the national AVID Center. Conway High strives to provide AVID elective students with a high level of college-readiness skills and is working to infuse a strong college readiness culture for all students, as well as faculty and staff, on the campus. More than 90% of our students from three AVID graduating classes have now gone on to thrive in 4-year colleges and universities across the state, while some have stayed closer to home to attend our local technical college or serve bravely in the military. We know that all of these students were impacted by their AVID experience, and AVID at Conway High School continues to grow deeper roots each year because of the students who join our family. 

AVID 101

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an academic elective course that prepares students for college readiness and success, and it is scheduled during the regular school day as a year-long course. Each week, students receive instruction utilizing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum provided by AVID Center, tutor-facilitated study groups, motivational activities and academic success skills. In AVID, students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading to support their academic growth. 

AVID 201 and AVID 202

During the tenth grade AVID Elective course, students will refine the AVID strategies to meet their independent needs and learning styles. Students will continue to refine and adjust their academic learning plans and goals, increasing awareness of their actions and behaviors. As students increase the rigorous course load and school/community involvement, they will refine their time management and study skills accordingly. Students will expand their writing portfolio to include: analyzing prompts, supporting arguments and claims, character analysis and detailed reflections. Students will also analyze various documents, in order to participate in collaborative discussions and develop leadership skills in those settings. Students will expand their vocabulary use, continuing to prepare for college entrance exams and preparation. Text analysis will focus on specific strategies to understand complex texts. Lastly, students will narrow down their college and careers of interest, based on personal interests and goals.

AVID 301 and AVID 302

The AVID Elective for the Junior year prepares students for entrance into four-year colleges by emphasizing analytical writing, preparation for college entrance and placement exams, college study skills, oral language development, note taking, and research. AVID Elective students are expected to participate in, and eventually act as moderators for, Socratic Seminars. In addition, students are required to make oral presentations to the class on topics related to career searches, contemporary issues, and social concerns, all the while focusing on a culminating project.

AVID 401

The AVID Elective for the Senior year is a culmination of all skills and strategies learned during 9th-11th grades. The Senior course is only one semester in length, unlike the 9th-11th grade courses which are yearlong. While continuing to focus on SAT and ACT preparation, the seniors are expected to devote the majority of their time in the course writing college entrance essays, applying to colleges, applying for scholarships, and completing financial aid forms.