AVID

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college readiness system that is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance.

The AVID College Readiness System (ACRS) accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional learning, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change. Although AVID serves all students, it focuses on the least served students in the academic middle. The formula is simple - raise expectations of students and, with the AVID support system in place, they will rise to the challenge.

The AVID program is in place in all grades at Rogers High School, and in seventh and eighth grades at RMS.  Each spring, current sixth and seventh graders will be presented with information about the AVID program for the next year at RMS. Additionally, teachers will be asked to suggest students who may be good candidates for the program. Sixth and Seventh grade students will be asked to apply and interview to be in this class for next year. For more information about AVID, feel free to visit www.avid.org!

AVID Program Questions

What is AVID?
AVID is a program dedicated to helping students achieve their goal of going to college. Know that students considered for AVID are bright students who might be under-achieving, underserved in the college system, or first-generation college students. The AVID class, held within the regular school day, provides support, academic monitoring, and tutoring. The writing process, Socratic questioning, collaborative learning, and reading are the core strategies of the program.

What is Required of an AVID Student?
Each AVID student carries a binder in which he or she is required to keep materials from all academic classes. Students keep track of assignments on assignment sheets and are required to take DAILY notes in all academic classes. The notebooks are graded weekly for content and organization by college tutors. Led by tutors, students participate in tutorial groups in the AVID classroom. In addition, students are taught study skills, test preparation, time management, and the writing process. Teachers fill out periodic progress reports, in addition to routine school ones, for monitoring by the AVID teacher.

What is an AVID Teacher, and What Do They Do?
The AVID teacher is crucial to the process. The AVID class is where students learn organization, study skills, test preparation, time management, the writing process, take college field trips, explore careers, look at post secondary education choices, etc. Communication with the AVID teacher and parents is essential. The AVID teacher will contact you to share your student’s progress and to check in about any of your concerns. Throughout the year, the AVID teacher will house several Family Workshops to address topics of concern relating to student success in middle school and preparation for high school and college.

Who are AVID Tutors, and What Do They Do?
AVID tutors are college students who receive training in methodologies used in AVID: writing process, Socratic questioning, collaborative learning, and reading. They are in the classroom weekly to serve as models and to help students achieve success in rigorous classes. They are trained not to give students answers but rather to guide them toward answers. They may even ask permission to “shadow” students in their classes to help them learn how to take notes more effectively.

What is the Application Process for AVID?
A presentation about AVID occurred in students’ English classes during the first week of March, when applications were made available for students and their families to complete. Please take a few moments to help your student fill out the application. In addition to the application, they will need two recommendations from teachers. Students who meet the criteria for AVID, and turn in a completed application with the necessary teacher recommendations will then be given an interview with the AVID team. Since AVID is a nationally recognized program, we have specific criteria we must follow in determining student candidates for our AVID program. Please understand that not all students or parents that want acceptance into AVID will gain it this first year. There is always another chance with the AVID program at Rogers High School.