AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an educational nonprofit that was established in 1980. It is implemented in approximately 8,000+ K–12 schools in 49 states across the United States, plus schools in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Canada, and Australia. AVID's mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. At Gloucester City School District, AVID's impact can be seen in two facets: the AVID elective and school-wide AVID instructional strategies. More information can be found below regarding AVID's impact at Gloucester City schools.
The AVID elective is a year-round course students take during the day starting in 8th grade to 12th grade. The AVID elective is meant to assist students in all of their core classes & eventually their freshman year of college or first year in the workfield. Some advantages of the AVID elective include the following:
- Students are encouraged to monitor their grades and reflect on their learning in other classes.
- Students become confident in presenting questions they have from other classes; fellow students and tutors help them arrive at the correct answer (TRFs).
- Students are helped as they navigate high school and guided in the college application process!
AVID instructional strategies are also integrated in non-elective classes. The core strategies of AVID include the following:
- Collaborative Study Groups
- Focused Note-Taking
- Higher-Level Thinking
- Interactive Notebooks
- Organizing Materials
- Philosophical Chairs
- Relational Capacity
- Socratic Seminar
