NAMS and SAMS earn national AVID certification
The AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is in its third year at North and South Asheboro Middle Schools and first year at Asheboro High School. Earlier this month NAMS and SAMS received notification from the national AVID office that they are now certified AVID schools.
“Earning national certification is very rewarding, as our teachers at both schools have worked hard to effectively implement this program,” said Jennifer Smith AVID district director. The certification process is rigorous and requires professional development for teachers, recruiting of tutors at each school, along with on-going assessment and data review.
AVID typically serves students in the academic middle who demonstrate potential and determination to succeed in more challenging classes, graduate and attend a college or university. AVID students are sometimes the first in their family to attend college and may come from economically disadvantage homes. “We are pleased to see increased interest and participation from all sub-groups of students,” stated Smith.
“AVID is an outstanding program that helps us meet the needs of our middle students who have a personal desire to excel academically and in life, but often lack the support,” said Ms. Grant, principal at South Asheboro Middle School.
AVID began three years ago at the two middle schools and is presently offered as an elective class for 7th and 8th students. This year an AVID elective class was added for 9th grade students at Asheboro High School. AVID curriculum focuses on Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration and Reading (WICR) three days a week, tutorials two days a week and guest speakers and/or field trips one day a week. AVID is a pathway to opening access to Advanced Placement classes and increasing the number of college-goers.
“Students are challenged to think deeply and to learn by analyzing their problems and discussing solutions with their peers. The structure of AVID gives these students a sense of togetherness, paving the way for greater student achievement,” said Grant.
“AVID has helped my daughter become a more organized person,” said Brenda Clawson, mother of an AVID participant. “She comes home and does her homework without being told. She puts her work in her binder in the proper place and one of her teachers shared that she is paying more attention in class and is impressed with the impact AVID is making.”
The AVID program boasts 28 years of being one of the most successful college-preparatory programs ever for low-income, underserved students. Nationally AVID serves more than 300,000 students in 3,500 schools and 45 states. AVID has been in North Carolina schools since 1996.
AVID elective teachers are: BethAnn Fravel and Hannah Smith at SAMS; Kerri Lamb, Mackenzie Lore, and Julia Bynum at NAMS; and Molly Lyons and Will Muse at AHS.