ABOUT AVID

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college-readiness system that prepares students in kindergarten through 12th grade for college eligibility and success. Since AVID began in 1980 in California, more than 5,600 schools and 41 institutions of higher education in 45 states and 16 countries have adopted the program. This has provided training for more than 30,000 educators each year and made a difference in the lives of more than 1.2 million students. AVID is for ALL students but targets those who are in the academic middle and have historically been under-served. It supports students and educators as they increase school-wide/district-wide learning and performance. 

AVID is not a remedial, niche or college outreach program. It is not a free ride or a study hall. Students must learn and apply the skills they are taught in their AVID elective class as well as do the academically rigorous work required.

AVID's MISSION 

AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. It is designed to make sure all students, especially the least served students who are in the academic middle, are able to: 

• Succeed in rigorous curriculum

• Complete a rigorous college preparatory path

• Enter mainstream activities of the school

• Enroll in college

• Become educated and responsible participants and leaders in their communities and our society

AVID Schoolwide Domains

• 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

WHAT AVID IS

• AVID is a program for middle- to upper middle- academic students. These students have the potential for honors level and Advanced Placement (AP) course work but may need to develop the skills needed to be successful in those rigorous courses

• AVID combines rigor with support that includes the student's individual determination and the support of teachers, administrators, other AVID students, their families, and AVID tutors

• Students must maintain 2.0 or higher grade-point average (GPA) throughout the school year

WHAT AVID IS NOT

• AVID is not a program for students at risk of not graduating 

• AVID is not for students who don't do any of their homework

• AVID is not for the consistently D or F student

• AVID is not for unmotivated students who do not have the individual determination needed for success

• Average to above average GPA

• Must be a hard worker, have a positive attitude and the desire to work collaboratively with others

• Must be willing to complete four-year university requirements prior to graduation

• Must take at least one AP course while in AVID

• Historically underrepresented in colleges and four-year universities