AVID at Jefferson

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. AVID’s curriculum and core strategies are some of the best research-based teaching methods designed with the brain in mind to sharpen the skills and habits proven effective for long-term success in high school, college, and beyond. At its core, AVID is a blend of teaching strategies, curriculum, and training designed from best practices in teaching and learning.  Jefferson Middle School and Jefferson High School are dedicated to a school-wide AVID philosophy within all classrooms.  

• Teaches skills and behaviors for academic success,

• Provides intensive support with tutorials and strong student/teacher relationships,

• Creates a positive peer group for students,

• Develops a sense of hope for personal achievement gained through hard work and determination.

• Supports students with a wide range of curriculum, including a vast variety of life skills.

As a result, policymakers and educators now consider AVID's mission to be an essential strategy for closing the achievement gap, making college access and success available to ALL students.

AVID Instruction strategies and teaching methods are implemented at the Middle School and High School "SCHOOLWIDE". This means that all teachers are implementing AVID WICOR strategies in their lessons and classrooms. As a result, ALL students are AVID students. ALL teachers are AVID teachers. AVID is who we are!

• Instruction promotes:

  • WICOR Strategies

  • 21st Century Skills

  • Student Leadership Skills

  • Goal-Setting/Monitoring

  • Rigor for All

• Systems support:

  • AVID Site/District Teams

  • Professional Learning

  • Secondary AVID Elective Classes

  • Equity and Access to Rigorous Courses

  • Data Collection and Analysis

•  Leadership ensures:

  • Strategic Planning

  • Modeling of Expectations

  • College Readiness Mission and Vision

  • Career Readiness

  • Distributed Leadership Approach

•  Culture fosters:

  • College Awareness and Preparation

  • Common Belief in Student Success

  • Family and Community Involvement

  • High Expectations for All

  • Positive and Safe Learning Environment

AVID Launch students are carefully selected high school learners with the above average likelihood to benefit from and, subsequently, model the AVID components to others.  AVID Launch students develop this capacity by working with an AVID Launch instructor to practice challenging content tutorials, develop effective peer collaboration, and hone the components proven to increase academic retention.  As students grow in their capacity, they become adept at the very skills educators know reap the best rewards.  

AVID Launch exists in grades 7-12. Students interested in becoming an AVID Launch candidate must complete and submit an application and complete an interview to share how the AVID Launch Series fits into achieving their goals.  

A number of criteria are considered when selecting AVID Launch students*:

• An intrinsic desire to raise the bar on achievement

• An average/above average achievement level (based on grades/assessments)

• A willingness to learn, collaborate, and role-model

• A willingness to grow leadership and citizenship skills

• A comfort level with challenging practices 

• A consistent school attendance record 

*While all of the criteria are considered for acceptance into the program, no single criteria will necessarily eliminate a student from consideration. 

• remedial/low level course

• study hall/study period

• Special education or instruction 

• At-risk programming 

• easy

• quick fix