AVID
What is the Mission of AVID?
AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.
AVID was created by one exceptional teacher who recognized that, despite preconceived notions at the time, students from low-income families, students without a college-going tradition, under-motivated students, or students with special circumstances could - with support - succeed in high school and be college ready.
In 1980, Mary Catherine Swanson was teaching English at Clairemont High School when San Diego schools were being desegregated. Students from urban schools were being bused to the suburbs. Many teachers and school officials thought that these students wouldn’t be able to succeed, but Mary Catherine believed that they just needed the opportunity and the right support.
She recruited 32 low-income, diverse students with average grades (C students) and enrolled them in college preparatory classes and an elective class she designed to develop organization/study skills, provide tutoring in collaborative study groups, and focus on both technical writing, and critical reading for learning. The simple formula remains the same: raise expectations of students and, with the AVID support system in place, they will rise to the challenge. Clarke is in its second year of AVID and going strong!
AVID Teacher- Veronica Arreola