AVID-Overcoming Obstacles Achieving Success

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, but it truly stands for so much more. It is a safe haven for students to be vulnerable with themselves and with others, to build genuine relationships, to grow and be challenged academically, to explore and discover new career paths, to ignite and instill a passion for learning, to build self-confidence, and to encourage having fun. AVID opens the door to endless possibilities and gives our students hopes and dreams for a brighter future.

At GJH, students who choose to take AVID as an elective are taught various skills that will assist them in all of their courses, as well as prepare them for college and career readiness. These are skills such as organization, learning how to take focused notes, participating in tutorials, encouraging school involvement, goal setting, building public speaking skills, enhancing writing and reading skills, and promoting collaboration with peers.

Although AVID has been an elective course at GHS for many years, it was only recently extended down through 7th grade. Due to popular demand, there are currently two sections of AVID in 7th grade and three sections in 8th grade, all of which are taught by Mrs. Stephanie Lindenborn. Students have had many unique learning opportunities this school year. They have taken focused notes over interesting topics and have learned ways to keep themselves organized through utilizing binders and agendas. Students have weekly agenda and binder checks, as well as binder and backpack dumps.

After learning about the tutorial process, students recreated the process with their own 10-step tutorial and then put the tutorial process into action by trying to solve a murder mystery. Students have read various articles, some of which were considered to be controversial, and then held socratic seminars or philosophical chairs. These activities allow students to discuss various topics with their peers utilizing either dialogue or debate. Students have also had the opportunity to build relational capacity with their peers through fun activities which encourage students to rely on one another to complete a certain task. Students have written their own bio poems and passion speeches, and then presented them to their peers.

At the high school level, the focus becomes preparing future graduates for college, including the application process, scholarship opportunities, financial aid, and ACT and SAT prep. Juniors and seniors attend various college tours as well as engage with speakers that come into the class to share information about a particular college or university.

AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society. AVID is more than just a class for a select few, it truly is for every Leopard!