AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. The mission of the AVID organization is “to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.” AVID helps schools create engaging, rigorous, and student-centered learning environments by training teachers to develop critical thinking, literacy, and math skills in students through research-based strategies and curriculum.    H.L. Watkins is proud to offer the AVID program for all students with a desire to participate!

The purpose of AVID is to:

• Teach skills and behaviors for academic success
• Provide intensive support with tutorials and strong student/teacher relationships
• Create a positive peer group for students
• Develop a sense of hope for personal achievement gained through hard work and determination

Vision

To create an Educational Dynasty as AVID scholars at Howell L. Watkins through rigorous and meaningful curriculum, strong character representation, an empowered Faculty and Staff, who focus on college and career readiness to be productive members of society.

Student Profile

Students who want to be in the program typically have the following academic profile:

• Grades and performance that is at or above their grade level
• Passing scores on their EOGs and/or EOCs
• The individual determination to be college and career bound
• Above average aptitude in their verbal reasoning, numeric reasoning, and/or visual/spatial reasoning

They may be:

• The first in their families to attend college
• Historically underserved in four-year colleges and universities
• Unsure about how to access honors and Advanced Placement course pathways
• Very bright and capable students with a need for structure around executive functioning

There are other factors that may make a student an ideal candidate for AVID. Please speak to your school's site coordinator about how AVID might be a good fit for your student.

AVID Selection Criteria

Who is an AVID student? Avid students are students in the academic middle, capable of completing a college preparatory path with support. These students often are not realizing their full potential academically. In the identification process, a number of criteria are considered, including:

• State Standardized Test Scores 
• Classroom assessments
• Grades
• Attendance 
• Desire and determination 
• Complete application and interview process 

While all the criteria are considered for acceptance into the AVID program, no single criteria will necessarily eliminate a student from consideration. All students at Howell L. Watkins are eligible to apply and be considered for an available spot in the AVID elective. 

Once selected for AVID, what are the requirements? 
AVID students must:

• Be enrolled in an AVID elective class
• Enroll in rigorous courses offered at Howell L. Watkins, including but not limited to, College in the schools courses, PSEO as recommended by the guidance counselor. 
• Maintain satisfactory citizenship and attendance in all classes. 
• Maintain the AVID binder with assignment/grade record sheets and daily notes in all classes.
• Complete all homework assignments and commit to studying every night.

AVID at Howell L. Watkins Middle School

AVID's Principles and Goals:

• Increase academic preparedness by implementing AVID best practices campus-wide through professional learning communities, coaching, modeling, and lesson studies
• By May 2025, 60% of the students will be able to demonstrate strategies that enhance their ability to inquire and collaborate with their peers to increase student proficiency.

Successes from Last Year

• Tripled AVID enrollment
• Earned AVID National Certification
• Increased number of AVID trained teachers
• On-site career professional guest speakers
• Student field trips to Lynn University, Palm Beach State College, local businesses

Data Analysis

• 70% of Grade 7 AVID students proficient, FY24 Reading PM3
• 85% of Grade 6 AVID students proficient, FY24 Reading PM3
• Seven (7), Grade 6 AVID students achieved Level 5 FY24 Reading PM3

AVID Recruitment

Criteria

• Proficient or on the “bubble” of state tests
• GPA 0f 2.0-3.5
• Conduct/Disciplinary Referrals
• 1st Generation in their family to attend college
• Low-income or single-parent family
• Desire to attend College/College potential

Benefits

• Exposure to various career paths
• Increased Graduation Rates 
• Student Leadership Development
• Skill Development 
• Academic Improvement
• High Level Thinking 
• Support for Underrepresented/low socioeconomic students
• Civil Discourse

Sustainability

• Support Systems 
• Peer Mentoring 
• Teacher professional development 
• Data Driven Decision Making 
• Parent and Community Involvement 
• Celebrate Achievement
• Regular evaluations and reflections 
• System Development 
• Script/Organization to support future school years implementation 
• School-Wide Implementation  
• Fidelity to HLWMS AVID Model
• Resource allocation 
• Student Selection/Support 

AVID Curriculum

The AVID curriculum is based on rigorous standards and developed by teachers, in collaboration with college professors.  It is driven by the WICOR methodology, which stands for Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading.  WICOR instructional strategies engage students and scaffold instruction to make challenging content accessible.

Writing is a learning tool and can include such strategies as learning logs, quick writes, focused note-taking, and peer evaluation.

Inquiry is engaging in thinking, learning, and discussion and can include such strategies as Socratic Seminars and Costa’s Levels of Thinking.

Collaboration is teamwork with shared responsibility and can include such strategies as tutorials and philosophical chairs.

Organization is managing materials and practicing study habits through the use of binders, calendars, planners, and agendas.

Reading is interactive and can incorporate deep reading strategies, vocabulary building, and the use of graphic organizers.