Incoming freshmen, sophomores and juniors are encouraged to join Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) next school year. To join, students must put AVID on course request form as well as pick up an application from guidance by Feb 1.
AVID’s mission statement “is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.”
AVID coordinator of RBHS Lisa Holt said AVID achieves its mission by requiring strict organization by keeping a planner and specific note taking while also offering students support in hopes of fostering better time management, determination and grit.
Sophomore Hamzah Nasraldeen said this year was his first year taking AVID; however, he already notices the difference.
“Last year I was pretty unorganized and had bad grades. I had trouble writing essays for Civics,” Nasraldeen said. “But this year, when I took AVID, Mrs. Dix helped me by proofreading my essays. She helped me with organization and that really helped me with my grades.”
Another requirement of AVID, other than keeping a planner, is enrollment in at least one honors or Advanced Placement (AP) class. Challenging oneself is essential to gain persistence, Holt said, because easiness does not build mental toughness.
Holt’s goal is for students to learn what a vigorous class is like before college as college shows little guidance despite the strenuous workload. Consequently, it is much harder to learn the skills necessary to be a successful student after high school; Holt said. The key is to do the work with integrity.
Nasraldeen recommends students like him to join AVID in order to excel at RBHS and prepare for life beyond it.
“If you are unorganized or don’t have enough motivation,”Nasraldeen said, “you should join AVID next year,”
Categories:
Students can apply for AVID to learn discipline, other skills
January 29, 2019
AVID coordinator Lisa Holt talks with a student. To pick up an AVID application form, go to her room (249) located in the North Commons or talk to your guidance counselor. Photo by Anna Xu
“AVID is to give [students] these tools and skills and give them an opportunity to practice in high school,” Holt said, “so that when they get to college it’s just like second nature to them.”
“[Students] may hate having to do [the extra work],” Holt said, “but they know it is making a difference, and therefore [they] will continue do it.”
Tags:
More to Discover
Alma Jarbou • Feb 7, 2019 at 2:00 pm
I’ve heard many good things about Avid, but also a few bad things too…Is Avid a good choice for all students?