AVID 7 & 8 Overview

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 that utilizes 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. Additionally, students engage in activities centered around exploring college and career opportunities and their own agency.

The 7th grade AVID Elective course builds upon the foundational components of the AVID philosophy. Students will refine short- and long-term goals and, as a result, begin to understand the value in taking charge of their actions. They will start working on intrapersonal and interpersonal skills as well as formal and informal speech. Students will complete self-evaluations and peer evaluations related to reading, writing, organization, and speaking. In broadening their writing practice, students will begin considering audience, purpose, and form in their writing. Students will take an active role in their learning, understanding the roles of all members in assignments and collaborative lessons. They will expand their knowledge base regarding note-taking in relation to studying and test preparation. Students will be exposed to various field trips, guest speakers, and research to increase their knowledge college and career options.

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 that utilizes 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. Additionally, students engage in activities centered around exploring college and career opportunities and their own agency.

The 8th grade AVID Elective course is the year of preparation for high school. Students will regularly exhibit and utilize the skills and strategies learned in the 7th grade AVID courses. They will refine previous goals, focusing on their transition to high school as part of a college-preparatory path. Their writing will focus on completing all steps of the writing process and varying style, word choice, vocabulary, structure, and voice. Major writing assignments include persuasive, expository, descriptive, and timed writing. Students will transition from active learners to leaders. Other areas of focus include increasing the use of technology and building upon test-preparation and test-taking knowledge. Students will broaden their experience with analyzing text and utilizing appropriate reading strategies in various settings. They will become more involved in guest-speaker presentations and field trips, particularly as they relate to preparation and prior knowledge. Students will also participate in college-preparatory testing and build connections with the high school they will attend.