AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination
AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination
AVID is an elective college preparatory program that prepares students to attend a four-year college upon high school graduation. Students considered for AVID are bright students who might be under-achieving, under served in the college system, or first generation college students. The AVID class is held within the regular school day, provides support, academic monitoring, and tutoring. The writing process, Socratic questioning, collaborative learning, and reading are the core strategies of the program.
What is required of an AVID student?
Each AVID student carries a binder in which he or she is required to keep materials from all academic classes. Students keep track of assignments and are required to take DAILY notes in all academic classes. The binder and notes are graded for content and organization. Students participate weekly in tutorial groups in the AVID classroom. In addition, students are taught study skills, test preparation, time management, and the writing process. AVID teachers monitor students grades in all classes.
What are AVID student goals?
Academic success in college preparatory courses including honors and Advanced Placement classes
Participation in extracurricular activities
Successful completion of college a-g eligibility requirements
Enrollment in a four-year college after high school graduation
Interested in applying for AVID? Click this link to complete an AVID Application.
What do we do in AVID?
Some students will have previous experience with AVID in the middle school grades, and some students will be experiencing AVID for the first time. Either way, the 9th grade AVID Elective course will serve as a review of the AVID philosophy and strategies. Students will work on academic and personal goals and communication, adjusting to the high school setting. Students will increase their awareness of their personal contributions to their learning as well as their involvement in their school and community. There is an emphasis on analytical writing, focusing on personal goals and thesis writing. Students will work in collaborative settings, learning how to participate in collegial discussions and use sources to support their ideas and opinions. Students will prepare for and participate in college entrance and placement exams while refining study skills and test-taking, note-taking, and research techniques. They will take an active role in field trips and guest-speaker preparations and presentations. Their college research will include financial topics and building their knowledge of colleges and careers of interest.
During the 10th 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 their 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. Text analysis will focus on specific strategies to understand complex texts. Lastly, students will narrow down their colleges and careers of interest based on their personal interests and goals.
The 11th grade AVID Elective course is the first part in a junior/senior seminar course that focuses on writing and critical thinking expected of first- and second-year college students. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID seminar, there are college-bound activities,methodologies, and tasks that should be undertaken during the junior year to support students when they apply to four-year universities and confirm their postsecondary plans.
The 12th grade AVID Elective course is the second part in a junior/senior seminar course that focuses on the writing and critical thinking expected of first- and second-year college students. Students will complete a final research essay project with research skills gained in their junior year in AVID. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID senior seminar, there are college-bound activities, methodologies, and tasks that should be achieved during the senior year that support students as they apply to four-year universities and confirm their postsecondary plans. All AVID seniors are required to develop and present a portfolio representing their years of work in the AVID program, as well as complete the requirements for the seminar course.
AVID 12 Presentation at Millswood
AVID 12 Presentation at Millswood
Framework Friday: Lego Collaboration
Framework Friday: Lego Collaboration
Volunteering at Nor Cal Science Festival
Volunteering at Nor Cal Science Festival
Collaboration is a HUGE part of AVID and so are our tutorials! Once students are taught how to complete Tutorial Request Forms based on a Point of Confusion (kind of like a concept or idea you need help with) students and a tutor work together to figure out the POC. Our short video will show parts of the process.
AVID Student Testimonials
To find out more about what AVID can do for you click on a video to hear from current AVID students. AVID students benefit from organizational techniques to college applications and best of all...being part of our AVID family!
AVID students in all grade levels research possible colleges and careers to help motivate them as they work their way through high school. We use the School Links program to guide our students on their paths to college and careers. School Links can be found through the students Clever Portal.
AVID Dress-Up Day
Field trip to SF Giants Baseball Career Day
Field trip to SF Giants Baseball Career Day
Tutorial Request Day