What is AVID?
AVID is an elective class that students attend daily. AVID focuses on developing the necessary skills for students to be successful in advanced courses and to be ready for college.
Those necessary skills are:
These skills in conjunction with a student’s individual determination to succeed develop effective habits and positive behaviors. As a result, students have a higher chance of enrolling and succeeding in a higher education institution.
Those necessary skills are:
- Writing (the ability to express complex thoughts clearly)
- Inquiry (the ability to think critically and develop new, more sophisticated knowledge)
- Collaboration (the ability to problem-solve and communicate effectively with others)
- Organization (the ability to manage time effectively, as well as set and achieve goals)
- Reading (the ability to read a text critically and analyze a text for deeper meaning)
These skills in conjunction with a student’s individual determination to succeed develop effective habits and positive behaviors. As a result, students have a higher chance of enrolling and succeeding in a higher education institution.
AVID in Arlington ISD
Each year the number of AVID students increases throughout the district. In addition, the total amount of scholarship monies earned by AVID seniors increases each year. For the 2012-2013 school year, AVID seniors in AISD earned more than $4 million and more than $6.1 million for the 2013-2014 school year in scholarships and grants.
AVID at Gunn Junior HIgh
AVID was implemented at Gunn in 2007, and each year we grow bigger and stronger. This year we are proud to service 29% of the Gunn student body.
WICOR is the focus of our daily activities.
WICOR is the focus of our daily activities.
- Students work hard developing goals--short-term goals each week and long-term goals after each report card. This heavy emphasis on reflecting and goal-setting teaches students that a) every grade matters, b) self-motivation is critical, c) success builds pride and confidence.
- Tuesday's and Thursday's students meet in small groups for collaborative study with their peers and a college tutor to solve various points of confusion from the academic classes. This type of experience allows students to build communication skills and to learn effective problem-solving skills.
- Binder checks and planner checks are essential to students remaining organized. Each week we check these in order to hold students accountable to having their supplies and knowing when assignments are due.
- Critical reading, writing, and questioning skills is the basis for all learning. Students work on developing academic strategies to be successful throughout junior high, high school, and college. Analyzing texts, creating questions, and participating in Socratic Seminars and Philosophical Chairs are a few of the academic activities that AVID students employ to strengthen their academic potential.