Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
Closing the Opportunity Gap in Education
AVID helps prepare underrepresented students for admission to a four-year college or university. The program fosters a safe culture along with high expectations for teachers and students.
Participating students take an AVID elective throughout middle and high school. The electives provide them with the skills needed to be successful in advancing academically, with the ultimate goal of attending college.
AVID prepares students for college.
Over the past 20 years of AVID students…
%
Accepted to a 4-Year University
%
Completed UC & CSU A-G Requirements
Universities AVID Students Have Attended
AVID also helps students apply for aide like the FAFSA and scholarships.
What’s the Latest?
DHS AVID Juniors Volunteer at Local Preschool
Downey High School’s AVID Juniors went to a neighboring preschool to volunteer. This was a good opportunity to explore careers working with children.
College-going Culture Since Kindergarten
Elementary
At Downey Unified, all our teachers encourage students to think about their college and career plans at a young age. Our schools cultivate a college-going culture by displaying college pennants, banners, posters, and other décor in the classrooms, and our teachers speak about college with the students. By promoting a college-bound mentality as early as elementary school, we begin a ripple effect that continues through our students’ academic journey. Students grow up in an environment where college and careers are no longer foreign concepts but instead the goal.
Secondary
AVID equips students with the resources, support, and preparation necessary for college eligibility and success. At the secondary level, students can take AVID as an elective class to develop essential skills, that include:
- critical thinking
- collaboration
- time management
- study skills and note-taking
- relationship building
Being part of AVID will challenge students to succeed in more academically rigorous classes. Students in AVID will also benefit from tutoring sessions that are led by college students, dynamic guest speakers, team-building activities and field trips to local colleges and universities.
The AVID Student Profile
Students with Academic Potential:
- Average to high test scores
- 2.0 – 3.5 GPA
- College potential with support
- Desire and determination
Meets One or More of the Following:
- First to attend university
- Historically underserved in 4-year colleges
- Socio-economically challenged
- Special circumstances
What AVID Students Can Expect
- High expectations from other teachers because they are AVID students
- Constant collaboration with AVID students, teachers, and college tutors
- Heavy writing curriculum in AVID elective
- Students will take focused notes in all academic classes, ALWAYS
- Weekly Learning Logs for all academic classes (reflection on student learning)
- Full academic schedule
- Summer School (if applicable)
- If required summer school is not completed, students will be removed from the AVID program
- Tutorials twice per week
- Community service opportunities each year
- Fundraiser participation
- College campus tours/guest speakers
- 2-3 hours of homework each evening (all classes combined)
How to Apply
The application window and requirements may differ by school. Make sure to reach out to your school’s AVID Coordinator to learn more.
Attend an Information Night
Submit application by deadline
Have teachers submit their recommendation
Interview
Recommendations
To apply to AVID, students will need a teacher recommendation from your:
- English Teacher
- Math Teacher
- Science Teacher
- AVID Teacher (if you are in AVID this year)
You must inform your teachers that you are applying to AVID and ask them to write you a recommendation. We recommend asking your teachers early so they have time to fill out the form.
Interview
AVID interviews generally take place in the spring. You will receive information from the AVID coordinators. Practice answering the questions below.
Interview Questions
- Briefly explain your most meaningful experience, inside or outside of school.
- What three (3) adjectives best describe the kind of person you are?
- Describe your study habits at school and home. Include study times, places, people who help you with your work, and your preference to work independently or collaboratively in a group.
- What do you do when you are struggling in an academic class?
- Are you currently enrolled in AVID? If so, how has AVID helped you succeed? If not, what interests you about AVID?
- Write out any questions you have about the AVID program.
Meet your AVID Coordinators
