Aurora Public Schools

AVID provides students with the tools to be successful in school and in life.

Despite societal and socioeconomic challenges many AVID students face, AVID students have outperformed national averages in key college and career success measures. More than 8,000 schools and more than two million students use AVID across the United States. AVID provides scaffolded support that educators and students need to encourage college and career readiness and success.

In Aurora Public Schools, Aurora Hills Middle School and Gateway High School partner with AVID - receiving professional development, a suite of resources, and ongoing support to ensure lasting impact that maximizes student learning outcomes that will positively impact student success both in and out of school!

WHAT IS AVID?

AVID is more than just a class; it is a community of learners that extends beyond the walls of the classroom to support students as they work towards achieving their goals and dreams. AVID is an acronym that stands for the following: Advancement Via Individual Determination. It is a class for students that show academic potential and a desire and determination to do well and go above and beyond! This class shows students the academic skills and tools they need to be prepared to succeed in school now, into high school, and beyond! The material covered in AVID prepares all students for college readiness and work beyond high school and success in a global society.

AVID is an academic elective offered to 6th-12th graders. It is a class for students with a desire and determination to challenge themselves to reach their full potential. It teaches students the necessary strategies to be successful in both middle school and high school, with the ultimate focus of students being college and career ready. The course helps students develop tools to engage in cooperative learning, goal setting, questioning and study skills, writing, note taking, time management, as well as, character development. The course also teaches students test taking strategies, how to manage stress, and how to work towards their goals. Students are supported through rigorous coursework to adequately prepare them to take Advanced Placement courses in high school. AVID students are expected to take ownership of their learning, ask questions to deepen their understanding, and be willing to work hard. AVID students are required to maintain their assignment notebooks, participate in student lead tutorials, and monitor their academic progress throughout the year. Students who have determination and motivation to work hard toward their goals in order to succeed are good candidates for AVID.

The AVID curriculum supports students in the use of WICOR strategies in all classes.

• Writing: note taking, reflections, summaries, process writing, essays, etc.
• Inquiry: skilled questioning techniques, Costa’s Levels of questioning, tutorials, Socratic Seminars, etc.
• Collaboration: Philosophical Chairs, group activities/projects, tutorials, etc.
• Organization: binders, use of Action Agendas, time management, etc.
• Reading: marking the text, reading strategies, note-taking, etc.

What AVID ISN’T…

It is not a study hall; it is not a remedial program.

Quotes from former APS AVID students:

“AVID has given me an extra support system and has also given me ways to improve in my study skills and other areas that I wasn’t as strong in at the end of last year. It has also helped me feel more confident. I will never forget the projects and presentations we did in class and how they helped me to become a stronger student.”

“I learned a lot of skills in AVID that helped me learn how to be a successful student that I didn’t learn anywhere else!”

“AVID has helped give me an extra push in my classes. It also helped me with my confidence and helped me learn how to manage my stress.”

“AVID has given me strength to achieve all of my goals. It has also helped me learn the importance of advocating for myself.”

To learn more about what AVID is, please visit the AVID website.