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Nestled in a busy hallway of Spring Lake Park High School’s B Wing is a classroom with college pennants pinned on the walls. Inside, students enrolled in the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) elective are being supported in building their academic and life skills for college readiness and post-secondary success.

AVID is a nationally recognized college preparatory program, and one of many class options available for Spring Lake Park students in grades 7-12. Students can join at any time. Some join right away as a 7^th grader and continue through 12^th grade. This school year, there are 124 students who participate in AVID at Westwood Middle School and Spring Lake Park High School.

Westwood 7^th-8^th graders can opt to be in Panther Time that incorporates AVID, while the high school offers AVID as an elective course.

AVID is suited to all students – which includes those enrolled in advanced courses or in the “academic middle” (earning a cumulative GPA of 2.0-3.5) with the goal to find a path to college or a career. This elective course helps build academic and life skills students will use in high school and beyond. Students challenge themselves to take increasingly rigorous courses – such as AP, honors, and college credit bearing courses – while maintaining and improving their GPA.

Lisa Switzer, districtwide AVID coordinator and teacher at the high school, has overseen the program since 2015. She has witnessed firsthand how students thrive with the extra support.

“AVID is designed to help students develop the skills and habits they need to succeed in college and beyond – critical thinking, organization, time management, positive mindset and motivation, test-taking strategies and goal-setting…all in addition to exploring colleges and careers,” says Lisa.

The AVID elective is tailored support based on their grade level. For example, juniors prepare for the ACT while seniors learn about college applications and scholarship opportunities.

A normal week in an AVID elective consists of two days of skill-building in writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading (referred to as WICOR). Then there are two days of peer tutoring (referred to as tutorials) and other activities that support work in core classes (like English, Math and Science). One day is dedicated to future planning for career and college. 

College and career exploration

Some of the most memorable experiences for AVID students are around the connections they make on college tours. They’ve toured Mankato State University and Dougherty Family College (part of St. Thomas University), among others.

Caden Lewandowski is a senior who has been enrolled in AVID since ninth grade and has gone on local college tours with his class every year. Before joining AVID, he wondered if college would be financially feasible. Getting more exposure each year – and learning about scholarship opportunities – has helped make college feel within reach.

“It’s easier to go on college visits when it’s a group effort, as compared to going one-on-one…overall it’s more engaging and involved as a group,” says Caden.

“I agree with that,” says classmate Jordyn Carrigan, also a senior who joined AVID as a seventh grader at Westwood. “When we know what we’re doing on the visit, we are all more prepared and get more out of the experience.”

Aside from tours, there are in-classroom assignments tailored to students’ interests to help discover career and college paths. Last year, Jordyn completed a project where she interviewed someone in a potential profession she was considering. Since she wants to become a writer, she spoke to an author who helped her understand the publishing process. She hopes to study writing and elementary education in college.

“Now that I’m a senior, I’m actually excited for college,” says Jordyn, something she was unsure about in her middle school and early high school years.

High schoolers in AVID benefit from opportunities to connect with career professionals through guest speakers. Students are introduced to a number of different career fields in business, STEM, healthcare and more. This variety is meant to provide something for everyone.

“In class, I have enjoyed hearing directly from professionals about the specifics of their careers, and they aren’t always the ‘top’ ones that everyone thinks of,” says Precious Miroga, a senior who joined AVID in ninth grade.

As a result of the speakers, Precious has explored career projects in nursing and psychology. Over the years, students have also shadowed dentists, school superintendents, IT professionals and more as a part of their AVID learning opportunities. 

Peer support in the classroom

A pillar of the AVID program is a bi-weekly tutorial day. Students work in small group sessions that mimic college study groups. Tutorials help students develop a deeper understanding of core concepts as they become more self-directed learners. They teach each other peer-to-peer, along with support from an AVID tutor who helps facilitate.

Students prepare for tutorial days by analyzing a problem from another core class. They reflect on  what they understand and where they are getting stuck. Then they present their point of confusion to group members who ask them questions to help lead them to a solution. Tutorials help students practice public speaking, using multiple resources, and how to ask high-level questions.

I have always done well in larger group settings, but actually being in smaller groups seemed intimidating. Tutorials have taught me how to open up, communicate and collaborate. I see these people as family that I can talk to. Precious Miroga, senior

Jordyn agrees, saying that the small group helps build community.

“Tutorials are initially the most difficult part, but students who aren't in AVID during a trimester report how much they need them,” explains Lisa.

Jamal Smith is a junior who joined AVID in seventh grade. This year, he doesn’t have the AVID elective until 2^nd and 3^rd trimester. Even though he is not in the class yet, he still comes to the room during Support and Extension Time (SET). SET provides time in the high school day for students to access academic supports and/or extend their learning.

“Knowing I can come to get help through tutorials is huge,” says Jamal. “Everyone can pitch in on subjects and collaborate to help each other find the answers.”

He says that the AVID program, along with ongoing conversations with his counselor, has pushed him to try harder classes he may have otherwise deferred. This year Jamal is taking College Writing and AP World History and reports both are going well so far. As a student-athlete considering college options for track & field and football, the academic rigor could help his chances for college acceptance and joining a team.

Application and commitment

Students must apply each year for AVID and be accepted before enrolling in the elective. Students are considered academic and social leaders, participating in rigorous course offerings and demonstrating involvement in many student groups, activities and athletics. To be considered for the program each year, students must complete the online application during registration.

Students considering the AVID elective are encouraged to ask themselves the following questions to determine if AVID is a good fit:

• Could I challenge myself more in school if I learned time management strategies?
• Are there questions about college and career options that I’m not sure how to get answered?
• Am I determined as an individual to succeed in and out of the classroom?
• Am I committed to maintaining good attendance and school citizenship?

Going through the application process helps students commit to the experience and get as much as they can out of it.

Daisy Chavez Lazcano is a Class of 2024 graduate who after graduation went on to the College of Southern Nevada and planned to study Sociology.

Ms. Switzer was a great system of support in my AVID class. She truly believes in her students and makes the maximum effort to get them the college and career resources they need. As a first-generation student, I really believe that I would have been completely lost when it came to all things college, but I never felt lost or behind in her class. Daisy Chavez Lazcano, Class of 2024 graduate

Parents see a huge benefit in AVID as well.

“I have seen the AVID program transform a kid who had no ambition into a responsible adult who’s going to be ready to take on life’s challenges in college,” shared one parent. “The motivation, the goal-setting, the determination needed for this program is exactly what so many kids need.”

Rupal Davé is the parent of an AVID student. She’s also a 5^th grade teacher at Westwood.

“What I’ve noticed in my son as a result of AVID is that he has become much more self-aware of how he is performing in his classes,” says Rupal. “It’s amazing to watch him use new skills, such as self-assessment to check rubrics and make sure he has completed all the work to standard. As a child who is more quiet by nature, he is encouraged to speak up, ask clarifying questions and to advocate for himself.”

That’s AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination.