Avid To Learn About AVID?
December 13, 2019
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published in our fall paper, but there were factual errors in the final paragraph regarding how students are recruited for the program. Below is the corrected story.
The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program was introduced to the High School for the first time this year. AVID is an elective class that helps prepare students for critical skills that they will need in college. The class now has 43 students in the class and will add two more sections each year.
The AVID program began in 1980 in San Diego. In 2018, 100% of seniors who took this class graduated, 85% of students applied to a 4-year college/university, and 75% were accepted according to avid.org.
“We aren’t going to be happy with 85%, we want 100%,” Assistant Principal Fursey Gotuaco said.
AVID Coordinator Sarah Milosh and AVID teacher Keri Dorris both have previous experiences with teaching AVID classes at other schools. There are also many other teachers being trained in AVID strategies in their specific content areas.
“We have an advantage over a brand new school, because of the staff’s experience and a willing spirit to do whatever it takes to help the students,” Milosh said.
The program helps students prepare for college by encouraging growth through WICOR strategies including reading and writing skills, high-level inquiry, collaboration and organization.
“The class is super exciting, I have been waiting 10 years to teach this class and I love watching my students grow,” Keri Dorris said.
Not only do the teachers enjoy this class, the students do as well.
“This class is really difficult for me, but I enjoy it and I know that in the end, it will all pay off,” freshman Alex Villalobos said.
AVID is in place at the high school, Hoover, and Forte Junior High. Currently, recruiting is done from both junior highs.
“We follow AVID’s guidelines,” Milosh said. “Recruiting by 75 to 85 average GPA, typically first generation to go to college, [test] scores, teacher recommendations and personal interviews. AVID targets kids in the middle who have academic potential to do better than the middle.”