AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination)

Asheville City Schools is proud to offer students the AVID program, a national program designed to support the college-going dreams and aspirations of students and their families.  AVID has developed a strong track record in promoting student entry into a four-year college, often with scholarship support.

AVID targets students in the academic middle, with GPAs between 2.0 and 3.5, 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 may want extra support in order to realize their dreams.  First, AVID identifies these students.  The selection criteria include the following:

Ability: Is the student a potential “A” or high “B” student?  Can he/she succeed in college preparatory courses with support?

Desire and determination: Does the student want to attend college? Is he/she willing to work hard to get there?

The AVID program works for the following reasons:

• AVID offers the intensive support students need to succeed in rigorous courses.
• AVID uses Socratic methods and study groups that specifically target the needs of college-preparatory students.
• The role of teacher is redefined from lecturer to advocate and guide.
• The role of counselor changes from gate-keeper to facilitator.
• AVID creates site teams of administrators and educators from different content areas, encouraging communication and sharing among teachers, counselors, and principals.
• All AVID strategies are based on research.  Want to know more? www.avidonline.org.

All AVID electives cover the following:  Each week AVID students receive instruction in college entry skills and participate in tutor-led study groups and motivational activities.  The course emphasizes higher-order thinking, academic survival skills, notebook organization, Cornell notes, writing process, and goal setting.  Students in AVID attend at least one college visit per year.

AVID GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:

There are no explicit graduation requirements in AVID.

If a student chooses AVID as their cluster/concentration, then they must earn four (4) total credits in this area, including AVID 09, AVID 10, AVID 11 and AVID 12.