The AVID Student

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

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

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 Mission Hill 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.