Syd Hayman, Managing News Editor

Photo by Syd Hayman

When the will to help students succeed academically shines through a strong support system of teachers, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is right on track.

AVID was founded in 1980 as a system to help students socially and academically. Now it has reached 15 countries and about 4,000 schools in the U.S., including Central.

AVID’s main goal, directed towards minorities and/or those in lower-income families, is to ensure that students have the skills to attend and graduate from college.

AVID is taken as an elective; admittance is open every semester and requires a minimum 2.0 GPA, average or better test scores, a written application and a formal interview with AVID students and teachers. Once a student joins AVID, AVID coordinator and communications teacher Stacey McAdoo expects consistent proficient academic performance.

“Once they get inside the AVID classroom, they have to show me their grades every two weeks,” McAdoo said.

If their grades slip, students work with McAdoo on a plan to improve.

AVID makes sure that students are up to par with grades by providing free tutors and college workshops.

“It has helped me prepare for college,” sophomore Karina Nunez said. “When I have questions, I ask. Otherwise, I’m not going to get it.”

Sophomore Jessica Graham also sees the benefit in the provided tutors.

“They help me figure out ways to get my work done,” Jessica said.

The benefit doesn’t only affect students inside the AVID classroom.

“It challenges students to be vocal and an active participant in education,” McAdoo said.

According to www.avidonline.org, students who are enrolled in AVID are more likely to enroll in AP classes and become all-around more prepared for college.

“[AVID has] helped me have better study skills and manage my time,” Jessica said.

If not in AVID, Karina feels that she wouldn’t be studying as much in her other courses.

“I think I wouldn’t be trying as hard in school,” Karina said. “But Mrs. McAdoo taught me that if you don’t try in life, you don’t get anything out of it.”

Both Karina and Jessica became involved with AVID in the seventh grade. Certain middle schools like Henderson, Dunbar and Mabelvale introduce the AVID program. Hall is the only other high school in the LRSD that offers AVID. But Central students experience something unique.

“It’s more of a family,” Jessica said. “We all know each other. It’s good to have friends [in AVID] and always know they’re there.”

In addition to learning skills in class, AVID students attend cultural events and participate in community service projects. They also are required to attend an event, such as an AVID family night, every month.

“I think it has given students a voice that ordinarily would not have been heard,” McAdoo said.

Presently, about 100 students are enrolled in AVID.

“Most of the students will be the first in their families to graduate,” McAdoo said.

The help AVID provides its students works best when the students are willing to put in the effort.

“It’s not a program for remediation,” McAdoo said. “It’s not a program for students who don’t want to learn.”