“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can

use to change the world.”

Nelson Mandela

 COURSE DESCRIPTION          AVID APPLICATION         DOCUMENTS/LINKS        AVID ONLINE      CONTACT AVID TEACHER     

What is AVID?

AVID is an acronym for Advancement via Individual Determination. It is a college preparatory program designed to increase school wide learning and performance. The mission of AVID is to insure that all students who are capable of completing a college preparatory path:

          * will succeed in rigorous curriculum, such as honors or other accelerated courses;

          * will increase their enrollment in a four-year college, and

          * will become educated, responsible participants and contributing leaders of society. 

Typical AVID students meet some of the criteria below:

         * has been identified as having academic and personal potential by teachers, counselors, parents,

            and themselves, but may not be currently realizing their full potential.

         * will benefit from a support structure that will complement their individual determination

         * has a 2.0-3.5 GPA

         * has individual desire and determination to succeed

         * has a desire to attend college

         * actively participates and completes all assignments

         * is first generation in family to attend and/or graduate college

     * might be under-represented in the college arena (minority, gender, financially disadvantaged, etc.)

What AVID is NOT:

   * a remedial program

   * a program for students already successful in advanced courses

   * a program for students already receiving academic support at school

   * a program for at-risk or unmotivated students

   * a homework club or study hall

   * a program for at-risk kids

What do students do in AVID?

  * Students learn organizational and study skills, note-taking and test-taking skills

  * Learn about different colleges and college programs

  * Work on critical thinking and asking probing questions

  * Have fun through team building activities that promote class culture

  * Participate in tutorial and inquiry sessions, run by peers and college tutors

  * Take field trips and benefit from guest speakers

  * Participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make college seem attainable

  * Improve self-image and become role models for other students in the school

                           A typical week in the AVID elective:   

Binders/Organization

The AVID binder is a requirement for every AVID student.  It is one of the important tools for student academic success.  AVID students learn the importance of keeping a neat, complete, and organized binder.  The AVID binder should be a good quality, two-inch to three-inch binder. Students will also need to bring their notes to tutorials twice a week. Tutors typically grade the binders once a week.  Binder requirements are taught by the AVID teacher and binders are checked and graded bi-weekly. 

Tutorials

Tutorials involve students working in small groups with a teacher, trained college student or peer student who facilitates the group.  Tutorials typically take place twice a week.  After students are introduced to tutorials, each student must come to the tutorial session with two questions they have about core academic material currently under study.  A form is provided ahead of time for students and they will work collaboratively to answer the questions of every student in the group using all resources at their disposal (notes, texts, other students’ knowledge, handouts, past assignments, tests, quizzes, etc.).  Students take Cornell notes on questions discussed in their group and write a minimum 5-sentence summary of the discussion at the end of the tutorial session.  Tutorial forms are graded, typically by tutors.