AVID at BCMS

AVID students are students in the academic middle, capable of completing a college preparatory path with support. These students often are not realizing their full potential academically. In the identification process a number of criteria are considered, including:

• State Test Scores
• Grades
• Citizenship
• Attendance
• Desire and Determination
• First in Family to Attend College
• Historically Underrepresented in 4-year Colleges
• Economically Disadvantaged
• Other Special Circumstances

While all of the criteria are considered for acceptance into the program, no single criteria will necessarily eliminate a student from consideration. The AVID program should reflect the demographics of the school it is serving. Students participating in special education, gifted and talented programs, and ELL will be considered for AVID based on the criteria listed above. Currently, there are a number of students from these groups successfully participating in the AVID program.

Once Selected for AVID, What are the Student Requirements?

AVID students must:

• maintain a 2.0 or higher
• maintain satisfactory citizenship and attendance in all classes
• maintain the AVID binder with assignment/grade record sheets and daily notes in all classes
• complete all homework assignments and commit to studying every night

What AVID Is:

• an acronym that stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination
• an in-school academic support program for grades 4 – 12 that prepares students for college eligibility and success

AVID is an academic, regularly scheduled elective class, during the school day, based on writing as a tool of learning, the inquiry method, and collaborative grouping. The three main components of the program are:

• Academic instruction
• Tutorial support
• Motivational activities

AVID Activities

• Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Reading (WICR) methodologies are the basis for curriculum instruction
• Students participate in field trips to colleges/universities
• Students develop academic and social skills for success in all subject areas
• Guest speakers provide motivation and college and professional career information

What AVID Is Not:

• a remedial program
• a free ride
• a school within a school
• a quick fix
• an affirmative action program