• Are you a hard worker but still don’t seem to get the grades you want?

  • Would you like to enhance your organizational skills and learn to study smarter - not harder?

  • Are you a B and C student and want to be an A and B student?

  • Will you be the first in your family to attend college?

  • Are you intimidated by choosing a college or the college application process?

  • Are you unsure about your career path?

  • Are you interested in taking MSU concurrent enrollment courses while a junior or senior? (AVID students are accepted regardless of GPA)

AVID is an academic elective course based on writing as a tool of learning, the inquiry method, and collaborative grouping. The three main components of the program are academic instruction, tutorial support and motivational activities. Students in AVID will engage in the following:

  • PEER TUTORING: Students work together to master new content through inquiry-based tutoring. Students learn how to ask questions that go beyond memorization and encourage higher-level thinking. Peers ask each other questions that prompt deeper learning, and students know how to articulate their points of confusion.

  • FOCUSED NOTE-TAKING: Students utilize the Cornell note-taking process to create powerful study tools. They are not just copying down words. Students learn to recognize the most important parts of a lesson, create questions to guide their studying, and revisit and refine their notes to solidify learning.

  • COLLABORATION: Students demonstrate a strong sense of mutual respect and support, engaging in rigorous discourse and building on each other’s thoughts. Collaborative activities are structured and graded to promote participation from each student.

  • EMBEDDED SOFT SKILLS: Students learn soft skills like public speaking, self-advocacy, time management, organization, and more. Here, a student is showing her presentation skills by confidently communicating with her group. There are a variety of AVID activities that allow students to hone their soft skills in an authentic way.

  • CLASSROOM SET-UP: Desks and chairs are arranged to best suit the learning activity and to encourage students to talk and to work more effectively together.

AVID 9: AVE-110B0 (1 credit)

Grade 9, Prerequisite: Application/teacher recommendation

  • Learn to navigate high school system, academic credits, and develop self-advocacy skills

  • Creating a sustainable system of organization

  • Explore career interests

  • Establish a post-secondary goal

  • Engage in opportunities that support personal exploration and growth

AVID 10: AVE-120B0 (1 credit)

Grade 10, counselor approval

  • Advance career exploration and post-secondary goal-setting and planning

  • Continue personal exploration and growth through outdoor education and exploration

  • Engage in hands-on outdoor projects to practice community involvement

AVID 11: AVE-130B0 (1 credit)

Grade 11, counselor approval

  • Engage in guided college and career exploration

  • Prepare for college placement assessments

  • Further develop critical thinking, reading and writing skills

  • Explore group dynamics and team building

AVID 12: AVE-140B0 (1 credit)

Grade 12, counselor approval

  • Engage in guided college and career exploration including but not limited to: completing college applications, requesting transcripts, applying for scholarships, completing the FAFSA

  • Prepare for college-level academic challenges

  • Practice college-level academic skills

  • Engage in project development