AVID

What is AVID?

Students newly enrolling in AVID follow an application/interview process. Students currently enrolled in AVID 8, 9, 10, or 11 will work with their current AVID teacher to register for next year. The following description is for information only:

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college readiness system that includes three components:

1. An AVID Elective course for students in the academic middle and/or who are part of a racial, cultural, or economic group historically underrepresented in colleges and universities, in grades 7-12; 2. AVID Schoolwide, which ensures every student has access to key strategies to help them become college, career, and community ready; 3. The highest quality training and resources to support all school staff.

The AVID Elective is an academic elective course that provides students with the tools, strategies, support, and encouragement necessary to succeed in challenging courses while in middle and high school, helping to ensure a successful transition into college. AVID is scheduled during the regular school day as a year-long course. Each week, students receive instruction that utilizes a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum, tutor-facilitated study groups, motivational lessons, and academic success skills. In AVID, students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading to support their academic growth. Additionally, students engage in activities centered around exploring college and career opportunities, such as visiting college campuses as well as welcoming business and community leaders as guest speakers. AVID students are motivated to learn and succeed. They aspire to do well in college and want preparation, while in the Sun Prairie Schools, that can make this dream a reality.

Schools recruit students, who are in the academic middle and/or are part of a racial, cultural, or economic group historically underrepresented in colleges and universities, to apply for a seat in the AVID Elective. Students may enroll in AVID following a comprehensive application and screening process that includes an analysis of past academic performance (standardized assessments and course grades) to determine eligibility, a written student application, and an interview. Students may start in the AVID Elective as early as 7th grade and continue the program each year until high school graduation. Students can also enter the AVID program in grades 8, 9, or 10.

Students and families/caregivers interested in AVID should contact their school counselor, the AVID building coordinator, or the AVID district coordinator, Katie Janssen at kmjanss@sunprairieschools.org.

Click here: u to watch a video introducing this program.

AVID 9

Course: 0102ELEa, 0102ELEb Elective Course 1.0 Credit

The 9th grade AVID Elective course serves as a review of the AVID philosophy and strategies as some students will have previous experience with AVID in the middle school grades, and some students will be experiencing AVID for the first time. During the AVID 9, students will work on their academic and personal goals and communication skills. They will increase their awareness of their personal contributions to their learning, and their involvement in the school and community. Students will adapt to the increased rigor of high school, and use AVID strategies to refine their time management and study skills accordingly. Students will work in collaborative settings, learn how to participate in collaborative discussions and use sources to support their ideas and opinions. AVID students will prepare for and participate in college entrance and placement exams (ACT Aspire), as well as continue to narrow down college and careers of interest.

AVID 10

Course: 0103ELEa, 0103ELEb Elective Course 1.0 Credit

During the 10th grade AVID Elective course, students will continue to refine their use of AVID strategies and adjust their academic learning plans and goals. As students adapt to the increased rigor of high school, they will also refine their time management and study skills accordingly. Students will also expand their writing skills to include analyzing prompts, supporting arguments, and claims as well as writing detailed reflections. Students will participate in collaborative discussions while developing leadership skills in those settings, as well as focus on strategies to understand complex texts. AVID students continue to prepare for college entrance exams (ACT Aspire), as well as narrow down their college and careers of interest, based on personal interests and goals.

AVID

AVID 11

Course: 0104ELEa, 0104ELEb Elective Course 1.0 Credit

During the 11th grade AVID Elective course, students will begin to focus on the writing and critical thinking skills expected of first and second year college students. Students will continue to refine the foundational AVID strategies (Notes! Organization! Tutorials!), and develop the strategies necessary to apply them to more advanced reading, writing, and speaking contexts. This year, students will participate in college-bound activities, methodologies, and tasks, create a “College Crate”, and work to confirm their post-secondary plans as students get ready to apply to four-year universities. AVID students also prepare for the PSAT and ACT college entrance exams.

AVID 12

Course: 0105ELEa, 0105ELEb Elective Course 1.0 Credit

During the 12th grade AVID elective course, students will continue to focus on the writing and critical thinking skills expected of first and second year college students. In the final year of AVID, this course will have more of a “senior seminar” feel to it (including tutorials), so that students may work in a setting similar to what they’ll experience next year in college. Students will support each other as they gather letters of recommendation, complete college applications, and research/ apply for LOTS of scholarships, all while working through the rigor of their senior year courses. Students should expect to work harder than they ever have before, but also know that their senior year is going to be the best one yet. The hard work they put in will all be worth it when they receive their college acceptance letter(s)!