AVID is a fourth through twelfth grade system to prepare students in the academic middle for four-year college eligibility.  It has a proven track record in bringing out the best in students, and in closing the achievement gap.  AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.

AVID targets students in the academic middle - B, C, and even D students - who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. These are students who are capable of completing rigorous curriculum but are falling

short of their potential.  Typically, they will be the first in their families to attend college, and many are from low-income or minority families.  AVID pulls these students out of their unchallenging courses and puts them on the college track: acceleration instead of remediation.

Not only are students enrolled in their school's toughest classes, such as honors and Advanced Placement, but also in the AVID elective.  For one period a day, they learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking probing questions, get academic help from peers and college tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make college seem attainable.  Their self-images improve, and they become academically successful leaders and role models for other students.

Between the remedial programs for students who lag far behind, and the gifted-and-talented programs for a school's brightest children, lies the silent majority: average students, who do "okay" in ordinary classes but, because they don't attract attention to themselves, are left alone.  Many of these students hunger for more challenging coursework but fear failure.  Their potential lies dormant, waiting to be recognized, encouraged,
and supported.

AVID is tailored to the needs of this diverse group of students, and it works for them because:

AVID accelerates underachieving students into more rigorous courses, instead of consigning them to dead-end remedial programs.

AVID offers the intensive support students need to succeed in rigorous courses.

AVID uses Socratic methods and study groups that specifically target the needs of under-achieving students.

AVID is a schoolwide initiative, not a school within a school.

AVID changes the belief system of an entire school by showing that low-income and minority students can achieve at the highest levels and attend colleges.

The role of teacher is redefined from lecturer to advocate and guide. The role of counselor changes from gate-keeper to facilitator.

AVID creates site teams of administrators and educators from different content areas, encouraging communication and sharing among teachers, counselors, and principals.

All AVID strategies are based on research on tracking — the process by which some children are channeled into challenging courses and others are relegated to remedial ones — and peer influences in student achievement.