Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) College Prep

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college preparatory program for students in the "academic middle." These students are typically the first in their immediate family to attend college and fall into underrepresented groups on postsecondary campuses. With instructional strategies and support systems, AVID students have the potential to succeed in a rigorous course of study and be prepared to meet four-year college entrance requirements by mastering a college preparatory curriculum.

The foundation of the AVID program is an elective class that provides academic support for students who aspire to attend college. Students benefit from daily in-school instructional support in order to be successful in a college preparatory course of study. An AVID elective course content includes instruction intended to improve a variety of skills; tutorials designed to increase higher-level thinking and success in rigorous courses; and motivational activities, guest speakers, and college and career exploration.

AVID students attend English language arts, math, social science, and science courses where teachers are trained to incorporate AVID study skills and motivational strategies to encourage college. Throughout the day, AVID students are surrounded with peers and adults who share a commitment to academic excellence and who work together for student success. In AVID classrooms, students find high expectations, encouragement, day-to-day help, a vision of college as an expected and attainable goal, and guidance in and skills for reaching that goal. Ultimately, AVID provides an academic, social, and emotional support system as students work to succeed.

AVID Program Schools

The following are schools that have AVID programs in the 2011-2012 school year:

• A.P. Giannini Middle School
• Aptos Middle School
• Denman Middle School
• Everett Middle School
• Francisco Middle School
• Horace Mann Middle School
• James Lick Middle School
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
• Abraham Lincoln High School
• Galileo High School
• John O’Connell School of Technololgy
• Thurgood Marshall High School
• Wallenberg High School
• Washington High School

The AVID Office is supporting additional schools to adopt the AVID Program at their sites. Current schools will schedule over the summer their student selection for 2011-2012. The following criteria will be utilized for student selection:

Ability-academic potential to succeed in college preparatory courses

1. GPA of 2.0-3.5
2. Standardized test scores between basic and advance proficiency in English language arts and math

Desire and Determination (Interview)

1. Desire to attend college
2. Willingness to undertake demanding preparation for college
3. Good attendance record
4. Appropriate classroom behavior and few or no discipline referrals
5. Willingness to give up another elective in order to reach their goals

Membership in an underserved group

1. Students "in the middle" who are receiving no other services
2. Students who may be the first in their family to attend college
3. Students who may be from groups historically less likely to attend college