NewsSCHOOL Kennedy Middle School’s AVID creates culture of learning, achievement

BY BETTY PORTER

Helping students succeed has always been the goal at Kennedy Middle School in Rockledge. One of the key factors in helping achieve that goal has been the school’s AVID program.

AVID (Achievement during which they get in groups to work on problems in pre-algebra, algebra and history. here. Kennedy Middle School had the highest growth on ELA testing in the district. We grew 20 points on state testing. I’m so proud of the work being done.”

Via Individualized Determination) is a collegereadiness program designed to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in high school, college and life.

“AVID prepares students for college and career readiness,” said Kim Luchs, the AVID coordinator and teacher. “It first began at our school in 2005 to help support students who were slightly below grade level and help them grow. Then it expanded to where all students, including those participating in the Cambridge Program for students who are considered above grade level, benefitted from its teaching practices. I believe AVID has led the way to Kennedy Middle School being an A rated school for the past 17 years,” Luchs said.

“Although AVID is an elective class, all students who attend Kennedy Middle School are exposed to AVID with more than 70% of our teachers trained in AVID methodologies and using them in their classrooms,” Luchs said.

Kennedy Middle School was the first middle school in the state to be named a National Demonstration School and Site of Distinction. VV

The program — for seventh and eighth graders at Kennedy Middle School and also offered at various other middle and high schools in the district — places special emphasis on growing writing, critical thinking, teamwork, organization and reading skills. Students in the program learn problem-solving skills, the importance of note taking, and studying.

Kennedy Middle School student Za’Breyah Woodard enrolled in the AVID class for this reason in her eighthgrade year.

“It has been a good experience. I’ve learned how to take better notes and how to be very organized,” she said.

There are currently 67 students enrolled in the AVID academic elective class at Kennedy Middle School. The students attend class each day for the full school year. Twice a week, they participate in tutorials

Counselors go to the two feeder elementary schools for Kennedy Middle School and present what the AVID program is about to sixth graders. The students are given flyers describing the program and information about the application process. Students from the elementary schools who apply and are interviewed and chosen for the elective class are notified before the end of their sixth-grade year.

“I believe in the WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading) teaching strategy which is at the heart of the AVID program,” Kennedy Middle School principal Travis Diesel said. “It creates a strong culture on our campus, which centers on student learning and achievement.”

Stephanie Cavender, the mother of a Cambridge program student at Kennedy Middle School and a parent volunteer on the School Advisory Committee, is a firm believer in the AVID program.

“It really teaches students how to study and how to be organized,” she said. “We moved here from South Carolina to find better schooling and we found it