AVID

Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) is a year-long academic elective course that prepares students for college readiness. It provides students with a multi-layered support system to enhance academic achievement, motivation and preparation for post-secondary success. Students participate in academic tutorial sessions and learn strategies that enhance study skills and post-secondary preparedness. In addition to the AVID class, students are required to be enrolled concurrently in a college preparatory curriculum. In addition, students will have guest speakers on various careers and participate in college and career field trips.

AVID I

This course is an introduction to the basic skills students will be practicing and developing in order to be successful in their classes over the course of the next four years: Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading (WICOR). Students are introduced to the various processes and procedures of the AVID class, including collaborative "Tutorials" twice a week, Cornell note-taking and AVID binder checks. Students will also familiarize themselves with the Rock Island High School environment through a variety of activities and engage in various career exploration activities. Students will begin the journey leading ultimately to the college application process during their senior year.

AVID II

Students will continue to refine and adjust their academic learning plans and goals. As students increase their rigorous course load and school/community involvement, they will refine their time management and study skills accordingly. They will continue to develop WICOR skills. Emphasis in writing will be: analyzing prompts, supporting arguments and claims, character analysis and detailed reflections. Student will also analyze various documents, in order to participate in collaborative discussions and development of leadership skills. Students will expand their vocabulary use and continue to prepare for college entrance exams and preparation. AVID II includes weekly tutorials, career exploration, guest speakers, and field trips.

AVID III

Students will continue to refine and adjust their academic learning plans and goals and activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading to support their academic growth. Students will develop an increased ability to self-monitor, self-regulate, and manage time. They will continue to develop their writing portfolio in the following areas: analyzing prompts, supporting arguments and claims, character analysis and detailed reflections. Lastly, students will narrow down their college and careers of interest, based on personal interests and goals and continue to prepare for college entrance exams and the application process. AVID III includes weekly tutorials, career exploration, guest speakers and field trips.

AVID IV

Students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading to support their academic growth. In senior year, students will continue to refine their academic learning plans and goals, create legacy projects including service learning projects/mentoring, as well as develop an increased ability to self-advocate, self-monitor, self-regulate, and manage time. Students will expand their writing portfolio to include: an argumentative research paper on a social issue and detailed reflections. Lastly, students will prepare for college through the use of inquiry based collaborative study groups utilizing higher order thinking and questioning techniques. AVID IV includes weekly study groups, career exploration, guest speakers, and field trips.