AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

In 2012, Baboquivari Unified School District (BUSD) implemented the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) college readiness system. Its mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. The AVID system at BUSD is being implemented in grades K–12. AVID elementary (AE) is a foundational component of the AVID college readiness system and is being implemented at the primary and intermediate campuses. At the secondary campus, the AVID college readiness system looks different; however, its goals are the same.

Avid elementary focuses on K–6 grades and is designed to be embedded into the daily instruction of all elementary classrooms across entire grade levels to maintain school-wide structures. The implementation resources, trainings, and philosophy are all grounded in the idea that the growth mindset can be taught to students, and it is through the growth mindset that AVID students succeed in following their dreams and fulfilling their aspirations. AE takes a systemic approach through the use of writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading (WICOR) and an explicit focus on high expectations, rigor, and developing a college readiness culture.

AVID elementary incorporates:

Student success skills - Encompassing communication skills (e.g., listening, speaking, and writing), self-advocacy skills, note-taking strategies, critical thinking, and study skills.
Organizational skills - Both mental and physical. Students learn to use organizational tools as well as learn and practice skills around time management and goal-setting.
WICOR lessons - Emphasize instruction on writing to learn, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading to learn in all content areas.
Partnerships - Among students, classrooms, grade levels, schools, feeder patterns, families, and communities.

AVID secondary (grades 7–12) is designed to enable school-wide implementation of AVID’s proven instructional methodologies and content area best practices to improve outcomes for all students. AVID secondary goes beyond the AVID elective course to affect an entire campus by creating a college-going culture that increases the number of students who enroll and succeed in higher education.

The AVID elective is the core of AVID secondary. It targets students in the academic middle with 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. AVID places these students on the college track, requiring them to enroll in their school’s toughest courses. To support them in the rigorous coursework, AVID students learn organizational and study skills, develop critical thinking, learn to ask probing questions, receive academic help from peers and college tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities to make their college dreams reality.

The AVID seniors in 2016 have set the standard for future AVID classes. 100 percent of the students have signed a letter of intent to attend college next year. Overall the students submitted 67 applications to four-year universities. This fall nine students will be attending a four-year university, and 13 students will be attending a two-year university.

I Am AVID Videos