Secondary

AVID Elective: Is AVID Right for Your Student?

AVID is for students who want to challenge themselves and are willing to work hard. If your student has the desire to succeed in school and prepare for their future, whether that's college, a career, technical training, or military service, AVID can help them get there.

AVID works well for students who:

• Want to take more challenging classes, but could use extra support
• Are often the first in their family to plan for college
• Have potential that isn't always reflected in their grades
• Are motivated and willing to put in the effort

What Is the AVID Elective?

The AVID Elective is a class students take for one period each day. In this class, students get academic, social, and emotional support to help them succeed in their school's most challenging courses.

AVID is not a remedial program, it's a support system for students who are ready to push themselves.

What Will My Student Learn?

AVID teaches skills that help students succeed in school and in life:

• Organization: How to use a planner, manage assignments, and stay on top of deadlines
• Note-taking: How to take structured notes that help with studying and understanding
• Study skills: How to prepare for tests and manage time effectively
• Critical thinking: How to ask good questions and solve problems
• Communication: How to speak up, ask for help, and work with others
• Self-advocacy: How to take charge of their own learning

These skills transfer to any path after high school, college, careers, technical programs, or military service.

What Happens in an AVID Classroom?

AVID classrooms are active and student-centered. Students don't just sit and listen to lectures, they talk, collaborate, and learn from each other.

Typical AVID activities include:

• Tutorials: Small group sessions where students work through challenging problems with help from trained college tutors
• Collaborative Study Groups: Students help each other understand difficult material
• Socratic Seminars: Structured discussions where students explore ideas and practice critical thinking
• College and Career Exploration: Guest speakers, research projects, and activities that help students plan for their future

College and Career Visits

AVID students visit college campuses several times each year. These trips help students explore different types of schools, large universities, community colleges, technical programs, and start thinking about what's right for them. Students also learn about career pathways and what it takes to reach their goals.

What's Expected of AVID Students?

AVID students commit to:

• Taking challenging classes, honors, Advanced Placement, or other rigorous courses
• Completing homework and staying organized
• Participating actively in the AVID Elective class
• Attending college and career visits
• Supporting their AVID classmates

AVID asks a lot of students, but it also gives them the support and tools they need to meet those expectations.

Where is AVID Offered?

In Columbia Public Schools, the AVID Elective is offered at:

Middle Schools: All seven CPS middle schools
High Schools: Battle, Hickman, and Rock Bridge

How Does My Student Apply?

Students can apply to AVID through an application and interview process. The application usually opens in January for the following school year.

To apply or learn more, contact the AVID Site Coordinator at your student's school. You can find contact information on our contact information on our contact us page.

Note: AVID acceptance is specific to each school. If your student transfers to a different CPS school, they will need to contact that school's AVID Site Coordinator about joining AVID there.