“Every single time I enter the AVID room, I feel like I just passed through time and I am in college.”These were the words of 7th-grader Jesus when asked about AVID, which stands for “Advancement Via Individual Determination.” AVID is designed to “close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.” It often supports socio-economically disadvantaged kids in the academic “middle” who will be the first in their family to attend college, and it’s only available at two Oakland middle schools. Frick is excited to be one of them.
“Kids here have really taken ownership and bought into the idea that ‘Yes, I’m going to college and I’m making good choices,’” says Frick Teacher Darcel Sanders, who runs the AVID program. “That’s been awesome to see.”
Through AVID, students are doing a year-long project researching different colleges: first a California State University, then the UCs and the Ivy Leagues, and eventually any school of their choice.
“Writing about the college (Fresno State) made me think about what college I want to go to,” reflects 7th-grader Edith.”I have to start thinking about my future and what opportunities are best for me.”
“Writing about Sonoma State,” says 8th-grader Brenda, “helped me focus on college as a future goal because it helped me learn more about my college options.”
Assuming they fulfill its requirements, students stay with AVID through 12th grade. Along the way, says Sanders, “they’re given access to resources and experiences they might not normally get.” Inside the classroom, kids get college tutors and learn specific college-prep practices like the Cornell note-taking system, but the experience extends off-campus as well, with students being connected with community service projects. “Those experiences will make them more competitive in high school,” says Sanders, “since community service is a huge part of college applications.”
College tours are another key piece of the program. “The college field trip experience helped me realize there were more choices besides Cal and Mills because I got to see public and private schools that I didn’t know about before I started AVID,” reflects 8th-grader Rajean.
The tours bring college into clearer focus for the kids. “We get to see classrooms and what college students do in their spare time,” adds 8th-grader Marissa.
Data, too, is backing up AVID’s success. Writing test scores have improved, and last year all but three of 50 8th-graders had a C or better in Algebra. AVID, says Sanders, has been partly responsible for the improvement.
“Participating in AVID makes me always want to participate in all of my classes,” reflects 7th-grader Malia.
“[Because of AVID], now I am more on top of things and I feel that I have matured since the beginning of the school year,” says her classmate Monique.
“I feel that AVID is really helping me prepare for college,” says Sierra. “[Ms. Sanders tells us] that we can do anything, we can succeed, and all these positive things she says make me feel successful. I’ve never experienced a class that is so college-like.”
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Frick Today - Winter 2010
