Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an academic elective course that prepares students for college readiness and success, and it is scheduled during the regular school day as a year-long course. Each week, students receive instruction utilizing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum provided by the AVID Center, tutor-facilitated study groups, motivational activities 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.
At ETHS, AVID is a four-year elective program designed to help students prepare to enter and be successful in a 4-year college or university. Throughout four years in the elective program, AVID students receive support in the following areas:
- Development of academic skills necessary to succeed in rigorous college preparatory and honors course sequences
- Development of study and organizational skills
- College Tour Field Trips
- Career Exploration
- SAT/ACT preparation
- College Applications
- Financial Aid Applications
The ninth grade AVID Elective course will serve as a review of the AVID philosophy and strategies. Students will work on academic and personal goals and communication, adjusting to the high school setting. Students will increase awareness of their personal contributions to their learning, as well as their involvement in their school and community. Students will work in collaborative settings, learning how to participate in collegial discussions and use sources to support their ideas and opinions. They will take an active role in field trip and guest speaker preparations and presentations. Their college research will include financial topics and building their knowledge on colleges and careers of interest.
During the tenth grade AVID Elective course, students will refine the AVID strategies to meet their independent needs and learning styles. Students will continue to refine and adjust their academic learning plans and goals, increasing awareness of their actions and behaviors. As students increase the rigorous course load and school/community involvement, they will refine their time management and study skills accordingly. Students will expand their writing portfolio to include; analyzing prompts, supporting arguments and claims, character analysis and detailed reflections.
The eleventh grade AVID Elective course is the first part in a junior/senior seminar course that focuses on writing and critical thinking expected of first- and second-year college students. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID seminar, there are college-bound activities, methodologies and tasks that should be undertaken during the junior year to support students as they apply to four-year universities and confirm their postsecondary plans.
The twelfth grade course is the second part in a junior/senior seminar course that focuses on writing and critical thinking expected of first- and second-year college students. Students will complete a final research essay project from research conducted in their junior year in AVID. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID senior seminar, there are college-bound activities, methodologies and tasks that should be achieved during the senior year that support students as they apply to four-year universities and confirm their postsecondary plans. All AVID seniors are required to develop and present a portfolio representing their years of work in the AVID program, as well as complete the requirements for the seminar course.
College Acceptance Banners
We want to honor your university acceptance by offering customized banners that will be on display on campus through the end of the school year and then at graduation. They can be picked up following graduation for you to keep!
Banners are 2’x3’ and are customized for the student and individual college or post secondary institution.
Advanced Order: $53 by May 11th, 2018
Regular Order: $60 by May 30th, 2018
Return the form to Mr. Wood, in Room 905, or email him at: Michael.Wood@svusd.org by May 30th (orders after the deadline cannot be accepted).
*Place Order Online in the ET Web Store!!
All proceeds benefit the ETHS AVID Program