AVID
AVID
For more information on AVID, please visit: www.avid.org
For more information on AVID at Mar Vista High School, please contact Mr. Filemón Jara, AVID Coordinator at filemon.jara@sweetwaterschools.org
What is AVID?
AVID stands for “Advancement via Individual Determination”. It is an ACADEMIC ELECTIVE designed to both prepare (ensure that each AVID student enrolls in the required “a-g” coursework and take the tests for college acceptance) and ready (teach and instill in each AVID student the necessary academic and social skills) to maintain enrollment at the university. Each AVID student is encouraged to take the most rigorous courses possible.
Fortunately, the AVID program is designed to allow the AVID student time to collaborate with his peers enrolled in the same course(s) in order to achieve mastery of the most challenging course concepts. The AVID student also assumes responsibility for his own learning and learns that advancing to college after high school graduation is a process rather than automatic.
Therefore, other benefits afforded to the AVID student include: becoming aware of all the steps necessary to be admitted to a four-year university, working with other AVID students in preparation for the SBAC, EAP, ELM, EPT, PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests, learning the differences between the two public California university systems as well as other California and out-of-state universities, receiving assistance with the specific university admission personal statements, exploring various majors, applying for scholarships and other forms of financial aid, and much more! Below are the grade level course descriptions.
Who is the AVID Student?
AVID is designed for students who have the individual drive to do what is necessary to be prepared and ready for a four-year university upon graduation. The AVID student must remain “on-track” in the “A-G” courses and have at least a “C” average. Other criteria include but not inclusive are: first generation in their family to attend college, historically “least served” in 4-year colleges/universities, low income, and special circumstances.
AVID is a year-long elective, but to maximize the program’s benefit students should stay in AVID for the four-years of high school. Statistics show that students who begin AVID in middle school and stay in AVID throughout high school are more likely to complete college-entrance requirements and be admitted to a four-year university. Students can be recruited by the AVID site staff, recommended by teachers or other site staff, individual student referral, or by parent/guardian request.
History of the Mar Vista High School AVID Program
The Mar Vista High School AVID Program began in the Fall of 1986 and became a Certified AVID school in Spring of 1988. It has been an AVID Certified Site since that time. There are currently 146 students enrolled in AVID grades 9-12 at Mar Vista High . The Mar Vista High School and its feeder middle school, Mar Vista Academy, under the diction of Armando León, have a strong articulation relationship.
AVID Course Descriptions
95235 AVID 9/10
Grades 9-10 Prerequisite: Teacher/counselor recommendation, GPA of 2.0 or above upon enrollment, average or above standardized test scores, and student’s personal goal of attending college.
This college preparedness and readiness course is designed to provide students with the necessary writing/study skills known to be beneficial for success in college. AVID is an on-going program in which the enrolled student’s academic high school program is the “A-G” course sequence for entrance to a CSU/UC college.
The AVID student will receive academic instruction and personal support from the AVID elective teacher, AVID coordinator, and AVID college tutors who will assist the student in academic tutorial sessions twice a week. In addition, the AVID student receives intensive college placement test preparation, information on colleges and careers, instruction on computer use, engage in philosophical chairs/Socratic seminars, and begin the CSU mentor.
95237 AVID Junior Seminar
Grade 11 Prerequisite: Teacher/counselor recommendation, student possesses a personal goal of attending college, is on track to complete the “A-G” course sequence for a CSU/UC college, and will take either/both the SAT and ACT by June of the junior year.
The AVID Junior Seminar is a rigorous program that was developed in conjunction with CSU instructors. The course integrates critical reading, writing, and research. It is a two-year sequential program in which students complete several in-depth projects about societal changes as well as great leaders and their contributions. Students will explore societal changes and leaders’ roles in bringing about these changes. They will identify one leader for in depth study, and the essential question to which students respond is “How has the leader been a catalyst for change?” The AVID Junior Seminar student will continue to receive academic instruction and personal support from the AVID elective teacher, AVID coordinator, and AVID college tutors who will assist the student in academic tutorial sessions twice a week. In addition, the AVID Junior Seminar student receives intensive college placement test preparation and information on colleges, engages in philosophical chairs/Socratic seminars, continues the CSU mentor, and becomes familiar with financial aid and scholarships.
95149 AVID Senior Seminar
Grade 12 Prerequisite: Must have been in AVID at least two semesters and the student possesses a personal goal of attending college, be on track to complete the “A-G” course sequence for a CSU/UC college by the end of his senior year, has taken either/both the SAT and/or ACT by December of the senior year, and apply to at least one four-year university. To receive the “G” credit, the student must have been enrolled in and completed a minimum of 3 years of AVID, including the AVID Junior Seminar. The AVID Senior Seminar is a rigorous program that was developed in conjunction with CSU instructors. The course integrates critical reading, writing, and research and builds upon the skills learned in the AVID Junior Seminar and AVID elective classes. Therefore, practice will be in perfecting the skills of analytical writing, preparation for college entrance and placement exams, college study skills and test taking, note taking, research, financial aid, and scholarships. The AVID Senior Seminar student will receive personal assistance with the entire joint college application and financial aid process. This includes, but is not inclusive to both the CSU and UC college systems. He will also continue to receive academic instruction and personal support from the AVID elective teacher, AVID coordinator, and AVID college tutors who will assist the student in academic tutorial sessions 2-3 times per week.