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Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is not just another program or “one more thing to do”—it is a research-based, schoolwide system that prepares all students for college, career, and life readiness. The AVID College and Career Readiness System aligns with district and school site goals to accelerate and enhance the work already in progress.

At its heart, AVID is a philosophy: Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge.

This system includes three main components:

  1. The AVID Elective course – a regularly scheduled, academic, college-prep, A–G approved elective offered during the school day. It emphasizes writing as a tool for learning, the inquiry method, and collaborative grouping. AVID Elective students are typically in the academic middle (2.0–3.5 GPA) in grades 6–12. The course supports students in preparing for postsecondary education and exploring career pathways. The four core components of the AVID Elective are:

    • Academic Instruction – Focused lessons that develop skills in writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading (WICOR), helping students succeed in rigorous courses.

    • Tutorial Support – Small-group, student-led sessions held weekly where trained AVID tutors guide students in using inquiry to resolve points of confusion from academic classes.

    • Motivational Activities – College and career exploration, team-building, guest speakers, and other activities that inspire students to set and achieve high goals.

    • College and Career Readiness – Guidance on college applications, financial aid, scholarships, and career exploration to prepare students for postsecondary success.

  2. Schoolwide AVID – ensures all students have access to AVID strategies that help them become college, career, and life ready.

  3. Professional learning and support – provides the highest-quality training and resources for all school staff.

AVID brings research-based strategies and curricula to educational institutions across elementary, secondary, and higher education. Each year, AVID provides more than 30,000 educators with training and methodologies in inquiry-based instruction designed to develop student agency, academic success and critical thinking skills, and the ability to engage and collaborate with others.

AVID:

  • Provide academic instruction and other support to students to prepare them for their respective futures.

  • Improve organizational skills (e.g., planning, time management, materials organization).

  • Enhance critical thinking skills.

  • Increase student involvement in community service.

  • Prepare and support students for entry into and success in the most rigorous courses.

  • Empower all students to achieve academic excellence and succeed in a global society.

As a result, policymakers and educators now view AVID’s mission as an essential strategy for closing the opportunity gap and ensuring college and career access and success for all students.

Source:  AVID.org, 2025

The AVID College and Career Readiness Framework

The AVID College and Career Readiness Framework

Our nation’s schools are full of students who have the desire to go to college and are willing to work hard. However, many of them do not truly have the opportunity to become college-ready. AVID Secondary equips teachers and schools with the tools they need to help these students succeed on a path to college and career success.

To address this need, AVID has developed the AVID Elective course. For one period each day, students receive additional academic, social, and emotional support. This support helps them succeed in their school’s most rigorous courses.

The power of AVID Secondary lies in its ability to impact both AVID Elective students and the entire school campus. Through classroom activities, teaching practices, and academic behaviors, AVID strategies can be incorporated into any classroom. Teachers can apply what they’ve learned at AVID training to support all students in becoming more college- and career-ready.

Source:  AVID.org, 2025

AVID students are typically in the academic middle and capable of completing a college preparatory path with the right support. Often, these students have not yet realized their full academic potential. During the identification process, several criteria are considered, including but not limited to:

  • State test scores

  • GPA between 2.0 and 3.5

  • Attendance

  • Desire and determination

  • First in their family to attend college

  • Historically underrepresented in four-year institutions

AVID Activities

  • Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading (WICOR) methodologies form the foundation of curriculum instruction.

  • Students participate in field trips to colleges, universities, and industries.

  • AVID tutors serve as role models and facilitate academic discussions in regularly scheduled tutorial groups.

  • Students develop academic and social skills across all subject areas to effectively self-advocate for success.

  • Guest speakers provide motivation as well as information about college and professional career opportunities.

  • AVID students engage in extracurricular events.

THE AVID PARENT
AVID parents encourage their students to achieve academically, participate in school functions when requested, attend site team meetings, and maintain regular contact with the AVID Elective Teacher.

THE AVID CURRICULUM
The AVID curriculum, developed by middle and high school teachers in collaboration with college professors, is based on rigorous standards. It is driven by the WICOR method, which stands for Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading. AVID strategies are used not only in AVID elective and content-area classes at AVID schools but also in schools where the AVID elective is not offered.

THE AVID TUTOR
Tutors are essential to the success of the elective class, facilitating student access to a rigorous curriculum. They receive formal training and serve as role models. Many AVID students who continue their education in college often return to their schools to serve as AVID tutors.

2025-2026 Secondary Sites with AVID:                         

AVID Proven Achievement. 

            Lifelong Advantage.

AViD STUDENTS...
  • Are enrolled in highly rigorous courses
  • Are more likely to graduate than non-AVID students
  • Are 1.5 times for likely to enroll in 4-year colleges/universities
  • Enroll in 2-year colleges at higher rates than non-AVID students

Download AVID brochure

23-24 AVID CA Snapshot