Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District - Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID)

Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID)

The mission of AVID is to close the opportunity gap by preparing ALL students for college readiness and success in a global society.

AVID is an internationally recognized program designed to prepare high school students for success in four-year colleges and universities. AVID students are historically under-represented in four-year schools. The program includes: ethnic minority, and/or low income, and/or first generation college students, and/or students who have special circumstances in their lives. The AVID program has successfully helped many underrepresented students (especially socioeconomically disadvantaged students and Latino students) succeed in rigorous college preparatory classes, enroll in honors and AP classes, meet the a-g requirements, and eventually enroll and succeed in four year colleges and universities. AVID teachers remain with the same students all four years in high school, addressing the “hidden curriculum” of school and helping them achieve academic success.

AVID Curriculum

The AVID curriculum is carefully scaffolded to help AVID students reach their goals. The core values of the AVID program include building classroom community, fostering academic excellence and leadership that catalyzes change in society. AVID also has a robust student mentor program that allows upper grade students to be tutors in AVID classes several days a week. Not only does this provide significant opportunity for AVID students to refine and clarify their skills in their classes, it also provides an important and critical opportunity for students to develop personal and lasting relationships with diverse groups of students. The AVID programs in our two schools have repeatedly received accolades as model programs in the state.

Skill Development: You will practice study skills such as note-taking, organization, time management, and test-taking. You will also improve academic skills including critical reading, analytical writing, and public speaking. You will develop technology skills through AVID activities requiring word processing, PowerPoint, and Internet research.

College/Career Counseling: You will be introduced to a variety of colleges and universities through speakers, field trips, and independent research. You will also learn about different college requirements and get help preparing for college entrance tests, such as the PSAT, SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT. You will get support in filling out your college and financial aid/scholarship applications.

Personal Mentoring: Your AVID teacher will help you monitor your current progress and set future goals in individual conferences during the year. Your AVID teacher will work with your counselor in helping you decide your high school schedule and keeping you informed of options such as summer school and honors/AP courses.

Tutoring: Twice weekly, you will work in tutorial groups with college/peer tutors to go over difficult material and study for tests. During tutorial, you will focus primarily on either your math/science classes, honors/AP courses, or reading/writing skills, depending on your academic needs.

Project-Based Learning: You will design individual and collaborative projects based on your personal interests, focused on topics such as cultural awareness and service learning.

Leadership Development: You will develop your leadership skills through workshop training during class. You will also design and complete individual and collaborative leadership projects. You will also get involved in school-wide sports, clubs, service, and/or co-curricular activities such as yearbook, newspaper, and student government.

AVID PEAK

Pathways, Exposure, Academic Connection, Knowledge

PEAK enhances AVID’s core classroom and academic curriculum by providing students with connections and information about multiple pathways to college and professional employment. PEAK programs speakers, panels, field trips and company visits, onsite job shadowing, internships, a Mock Career Fair, and practice interview experiences. For further information about PEAK or to volunteer with the program, please contact Lynette Gillson, PhD, at: lynette.gillson@mvla.net. Similarly, if you think that your organization or employer would be interested in collaborating or partnering with PEAK, please email: lynette.gillson@mvla.net.