D-C Times

Group makes impact on students wanting to attend college in future

Friday, March 05, 2010 By Nicole Beck

For only being active in our school for the past two years, AVID has already made a big difference and is looking to continue to make an impact. “AVID gives us motivation to actually come to school,” said Alyssa Kasala, sophomore. “It helps students realize the significance to education, working hard and just life in general.” AVID, Achievement Via Individual Determination, is a program that is designed for students who in the past have received average grades. The goal of this program is to increase motivation and productivity of students who struggle in school. They do this by giving the student’s support and by getting them to take higher-level classes. AVID also supplies the students with tutors to help them succeed in their classes. “This program has helped so many kids move from general classes to honors and even AP classes,” said Diane Kraus, AVID teacher. “A lot of these kids will be the first in their family to graduate from high school and go to college, and AVID is helping them get there.” To be a part of AVID a few requirements must be met. To qualify, the students have to show grades that are in the average region. The students in this program are not the honors level students or the general level students, but rather the average students. With the help of AVID many of these students move on to take higher-level classes. “There are programs for the gifted students and the struggling kids, but there are very few programs for the kids in the middle and that’s why AVID is so great,” said Bogue. Once the students are selected they have to apply to be part of the program. The application includes teacher recommendations and an essay. Once accepted into the program they must maintain As, Bs or Cs. Throughout the day AVID students will have one block dedicated to their AVID class. During this class period students work on college prep and get help with work in their classes. “I really think that AVID is doing a great thing for the school,” said Bogue. “Giving these kids extra help and tutors is really helping them out and getting them to college.” The program is still very young but it has a promising future. AVID started with the freshmen last year and is now working with both the freshmen and sophomores. One improvement that they have made is that students from middle schools are now working with the AVID program. “It’s really helpful that the middle schools are now using AVID because students are coming to high school already knowing the habits of the program,” said Bogue. The program has seen many great changes in the past two years. They now have 12 teachers on the site team and the number of students involved has doubled in size. There are currently 91 students and in the next two years they are looking to have 200 students. “Teaching in the AVID program, I feel like everyday I leave I have done something worthwhile,” said Kraus. “The kids are so great and teaching them gives me a sense of accomplishment.”