What is AVID?

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an elective program that helps students to achieve the necessary requirements and skills to be eligible for university acceptance. AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. The program has two major components: tutorials and AVID curriculum.  Tutorials occur 2 times per week. Tutorials are small study groups that are facilitated by college students who assist students with their studies.  Each AVID student is to come prepared for the tutorial with questions from their core or college classes.  Field trips may be scheduled to visit local colleges and universities, providing students with the opportunity to visit the institutions firsthand.    

AVID students are expected to be motivated and determined to achieve university acceptance at the end of their high school career.  It will be necessary for AVID students to manage their time so hat school and studies become a top priority.  This means that they will need to be responsible for making wise and sometimes difficult choices. 

Some of the many topics covered in the AVID program include: 

• Research Skills • Research Papers • Public Speaking  • Cornell Notes • Philosophical Chairs • Socratic Seminars • Goal Setting • Self Discovery & Reflection • Character Development  •  Tips for Success • Binder Checks  • Interpersonal Relationships • Organizational Skills & Projects • Time Management •  College Readiness Skills • Tutorials • College Exploration • Career Exploration  • Study Skills • Guidance Lessons  • Community Service Projects

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Required Materials: 

The following materials are required in class every day:
•  2 ½  or 3 inch 3-ring view binder
 • 1 inch 3-ring view binder (for your portfolio)
•  Color dividers (a minimum of 1 per class)
•  Sheet protector for your AVID portfolio
•  2 black ink pens
•  1 red pen
•  2 #2 pencils 
•  Zipper pouch to store supplies
•  2 different colored highlighters
•  1 pack of filler paper (college ruled)
•  A school provided planner 

Evaluation:
​Final grades will be based on the following categories. 

​Binder/Backpack Check 
Binders will be checked and graded in the AVID class weekly.  Binders will be graded for organization, Cornell notes, materials & supplies, a completed daily planner, and daily “to do” lists.  If you are absent for Binder Check, due to illness, you may request a Binder Check on the day you return.  Additional binder checks may randomly occur throughout the year so binders must be organized at all times. A minimum of two (2) pages of Cornell notes/learning logs are required for five classes per week.  

Class work , Homework, & Projects 
Class work and homework assignments are designed to help students to develop personally and academically and to ultimately prepare them for college and a career.  Essays will be written in MLA format.   There will be numerous individual and group projects each semester.

Tutorials
Students will be graded on each tutorial session.  Students earn points for their questions, participation, and reflection during the tutorial process. Since tutorials are a collaborative effort, students must be present and participate to receive credit. Students who are absent due to illness may make up points by completing a one page writing assignment from a provided list.  Tutors will assist students on their path towards arriving at answers, but they will not provide the answers for students.

Please feel to contact our AVID Coordinator, Mr. Fox with any questions or concerns at (210) 356-4400 or e-mail him at n[email protected].