Students in the AVID program have better graduation rates, class attendance and score higher on the CSAP Tests. School leaders committed to the success of all students have a unique opportunity, a rare privilege and an absolute responsibility to create and foster a school culture that encourages and enables students not only to dream, but more importantly, to realize their dreams. The AVID program is endorsed by the National College Boards, as one of the best school reforms to increase student achievement. Doherty High School will be graduating its first AVID class this spring.

Mission
The mission of the AVID program is to ensure that ALL students and most especially the least served students who are in the middle will succeed in rigorous curriculum will:

• complete a rigorous college preparatory path
• enter mainstream activities of the school
• increase their enrollment in four-year colleges
• become educated and responsible participants and leaders in democratic society

• Writing as a tool for learning
• Inquiry methods
• Collaborative, subject specific learning groups
• Reading as a tool for learning

The Eleven Required AVID Essentials

1. AVID student selection must focus on students in the middle, with academic potential, who would benefit from AVID support to improve their academic record and begin college preparation.

2. AVID program participants, both students and staff, must choose to participate in the AVID program.

3. The school must be committed to full implementation of the AVID Program, with students enrolled in the AVID year-long elective classes' available within the regular academic school day.

4. AVID students must be enrolled in a rigorous course of study that will enable them to meet requirements for university enrollment. (Please note the criteria that are specific to high school and the criteria that are specific to junior high/middle school.)

5. A strong, relevant writing and reading curriculum provide a basis for instruction in the AVID classroom. Inquiry is used as a basis for instruction in the AVID classroom to promote critical thinking.

6. Collaboration is used as a basis for instruction in the AVID classroom.

7. A sufficient number of tutors must be available in AVID elective classes' to facilitate student access to rigorous curriculum. Tutors should be students from colleges and universities and they must be trained to implement the methodologies used in AVID.

8. AVID program implementation and student progress must be monitored through AVID Center Data System, and results must be analyzed to ensure success.

9. The school or district has identified resources for program costs, has agreed to implement all AVID Implementation Essentials and to participate in AVID Certification.

10. It has committed to ongoing participation in AVID staff development.

11. An active interdisciplinary AVID site team collaborates on issues of student access to and success in rigorous college preparatory courses.

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

• First to attend college
• Historically least served in 4 year college
• Low income
• Special circumstances