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.
AVID 6
Grades: 6 Length: One Semester Required
The 6th grade AVID Elective course is an introduction to the AVID philosophy. Students will develop an awareness of the values accompanying academic goals and success. The course will focus on building students’ self-confidence and communication skills in working with peers and adults. Students will be exposed to reading strategies that will assist them in building vocabulary and understanding a variety of texts and will also focus on pre-writing techniques, summary writing, and structural components of note-taking. Students will increase college and career awareness through guest-speaker presentations, field-trip opportunities, and research.
AVID 7
Grades: 7 Length: Full Year
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 of college and career options.
AVID 8
Grades: 8 Length: Full Year
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 6th and 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.