AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination)
AVID targets students in the academic
middle — B and C — who have the desire to go to college and the
willingness to work hard. These are students who are capable of
completing rigorous curriculum but are falling short of their potential.
Typically, they will be the first in their families to attend college,
and many are from low-income or minority families. AVID pulls these
students out of their unchallenging courses and puts them on the college
track: acceleration instead of remediation.
The AVID exploratory is designed to
support students with the “hidden curriculum” of schools. ,They learn
organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking
probing questions, get academic help from peers and college tutors, and
participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make college
seem attainable. Their self-images improve, and they become academically
successful leaders and role models for other students. The AVID
elective is offered to 7th and 8th grade students.
The AVID curriculum, based on rigorous
standards, was developed by middle and senior high school teachers in
collaboration with college professors. It is driven by the WICR method,
which stands for writing, inquiry, collaboration, and reading. AVID
curriculum is used in AVID elective classes, in content-area classes in
AVID schools, and even in schools where the AVID elective is not
offered.
- AVID at Branciforte Middle School
This year our AVID class was exposed to a
wide range of motivational activities and speakers beyond the basic
curriculum. By the end of the year we will have visited UCSC, CSUMB, The
Defense Language Institute of Monterey and Stanford University. Last
year we also went to San Jose State University. We have had guest
speakers ranging from lawyers to fire fighters, financial analysts to
computer engineers. We have attended cultural events such as “Wicked” at
The Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco as well as visited local markets
to learn about sustainable agriculture and fair trade. In years past our
guest speakers have included Hollywood directors, police officers,
local assemblymen and archaeologists etc.
Learn More at the AVID website.