Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an elective course and a school-wide approach to curriculum and rigor adopted by more than 4,000 schools in 45 states and 15 countries over 28 years. It is a research-based program that equips students to meet the challenges of rigorous coursework in high school and college.
When we think of AVID students at Muskego-Norway Schools, we think of students who:
Test highon standardized tests like STAR and ASPIRE.
Earn grades that do not always reflect their ability.
Have desire and determination to be challenged academically.
Are working towards college and career readiness.
Have the drive to take an AP course or other college preparatory courses.
The AVID elective course is only for students in AVID. The class counts as an elective credit which meets every day with a structured curriculum that is designed to support students toward their college and career goals. While taking AVID, students should see AVID as an elective that also supports them in their other courses through writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading strategies. Also, to support students’ preparation for college and career, students must receive no more than one D and zero Fs on a term report card. Students are expected to seek out help when struggling but will also have the support of an AVID team in the building.
The AVID course focuses upon College and Career Readiness as well as WICOR strategies :
Writing Practice and Strategies
Inquiry and Questioning Techniques
Collaboration and Communication Skills
Organizational and Time Management Practices and Commitments
Reading and Discussion Strategies
What AVID is NOT:
Remediation
A “quick fix”
An At-Risk Program or Intervention Program
Content Mastery
Supportive Study Hall
Criteria for applying to become an AVID student
Student completed application
Student interview and acceptance into the course
Student has consistent attendance
Academic Middle
GPA 3.5 - 2.5
Average to high scores on standardized assessments
An AVID student falls into the academic middle. This means a student may have a 3.5-2.5 GPA, average or above test scores, and has college potential with support.
An AVID student has good attendance, is hardworking and motivated, and is determined to succeed.
AVID students are often first-generation college students.
AVID students need to commit to taking at least one AP course while in high school.
Attend an informational meeting if you are interested.
Complete the AVID course application. Applications are due around January- February.
Once a student completes the application, reviewers sort through the candidates and inform students if they have been selected for an interview based on criteria. These are typically conducted during school hours.
If a student receives an interview, it does not mean he or she has been offered a spot into the AVID elective. Our AVID Team sorts through applicants to make a decision on each AVID class.
Interviewed students will be contacted to let each student know if he or she has been selected for the AVID elective course.
If our interviewers and AVID team identify more students that meet criteria than spaces available in the course, students who have met the requirements will be placed into a lottery system for scheduling in the class. If a student meets criteria and it not selected for the course, he or she will be placed on a wait-list. Should a student not be selected for AVID, he or she always has the opportunity to apply the following school year.
Due to the limited space in our elective course, some students will not be enrolled. Scheduling conflicts and class availability can play a role in acceptance into the elective.
If a student is not accepted into the AVID elective, he or she should apply again the following year.
District and School-wide professional development around WICOR and AVID strategies create access for all students, regardless of a student’s placement into the AVID Elective.
Courses at Muskego High School practice and use WICOR and AVID strategies on a weekly basis.
AVID is a college preparatory course that was created in the early 1990s in California. The success of the program has lead to AVID growing and being adapted across the U.S. and into several other countries.
AVID is an elective college-preparatory system that prepares students to attend a four-year college upon high school graduation.
Student Goals
Academic success in college-preparatory courses.
Successful completion of college eligibility requirements.
Enrollment in college-preparatory courses throughout high school to promote enrollment in a four-year college or university upon graduation.
Responsibilities as an AVID student
I will maintain satisfactory citizenship and attendance in all classes.
I will maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.
I will maintain enrollment in all college-prep courses (including accelerated, CAPP courses, transcripted credits, dual enrollment, and Advanced Placement).
I will attend summer school as needed to take additional coursework and/or raise my grades to maintain my college eligibility.
I will be an active learner, be prepared for all classes with all assigned work completed, take Cornell notes daily and be an active participant in all activities.
I will come to AVID class prepared for tutorial session with the TRF pre-work completed, AVID binder with Cornell notes and textbooks. I will use critical thinking, inquiry and collaboration with my classmates to create greater understanding about my point of confusion.
I will participate in extracurricular activities and community service.
I will prepare for and take college entrance exams such as the ASPIRE, practice ACT, and ACT.
If these responsibilities are not upheld students will be placed on a probationary contract. Students may be exited from AVID if a probationary contract is unsuccessful.
To increase student success, it is important that teachers, parents and guardians, and students have a collaborative partnership. This means that parents and guardians can support further learning and college and career preparation at home.
At-home support includes:
Partnering with the AVID Elective teacher and other academic course teachers through regular communication
Monitoring my child’s academic process to ensure that he/she is on track for meeting the grade and course requirements to remain in AVID and in line for the successful completion of college eligibility requirements.
Checking for an organized binder with agenda, content class Cornell notes and Tutorial Request Forms weekly.
Encouraging my child to stay after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays through AVID tutoring opportunities.
Participate and attend parent workshops around different AVID skills.
Encouraging opportunities to take rigorous courses, complete college prep/entrance exams, and participate in community service, extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities.
