Program designed to encourage students to attend college
The first-day-of-high-school jitters typically don’t include
thoughts of which college a student wants to attend after
graduation.
But local high school staff and community members think they
should.
Program designed to encourage students to attend college
The first-day-of-high-school jitters typically don’t include thoughts of which college a student wants to attend after graduation.
But local high school staff and community members think they should.
An early focus on secondary education is the force behind AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a program designed to prepare students for success in colleges and universities. AVID students begin their high school career by enrolling in college preparatory courses as well as an AVID elective class.
“Students really need to understand the importance of working hard early,” said Andy Prisco, a counselor at San Benito High School who is working closely with Bjorn Nordstrom, a 1995 SBHS graduate who is starting an academics club at the high school this year. “Part of that is knowing what it is they need to accomplish.”
The AVID curriculum focuses on developing the study and academic skills necessary for success in high school and beyond, according to the SBHS Web site. The program offers college prep activities, skill development, career building, personal mentoring and group tutoring.
Anyone can participate in AVID, although the program typically attracts students traditionally underrepresented in four-year colleges, such as low-income students, ethnic minorities or first-generation college students.
Students participating in AVID must have: a desire to be in the program and to continue on to college; be serious about succeeding in school; possess individual determination and a sense of responsibility; have a 2.0-3.5 grade point average; have good attendance and a good behavior record and have average to high standardized test scores. Interested students must attend an information night with their parents, fill out an application and have a teacher fill out a recommendation form.
“What stops a lot of our students from going on to a four-year college are those certain classes they have to take where they need to earn a C or better,” Prisco said. “One of these which is traditionally hard for our students is chemistry. Algebra II is another one. Chemistry is a rigorous college level course that in my experience has stopped a lot of kids in their tracks.”
But AVID is designed to help those students get through the tougher courses. AVID not only offers tutoring and mentoring programs; it teaches such skills as how to study, how to read for content, how to take notes and even manage time.
Since its inception in 1980 in Southern California, AVID has increased its enrollment to approximately 120,000 students nationwide and is now offered in more than 1,500 schools in both the United States and Europe. Approximately 95 percent of AVID high school graduates enroll in college with more than 60 percent enrolling in four-year colleges, according to the AVID Web site.
AVID appears to be working at San Benito as well – last year approximately 60 percent of students enrolled in AVID were accepted into the California State University program. Overall, 12 percent of SBHS students not participating in the program were accepted to a CSU school.
AVID is just one of many resources San Benito has for college-bound students, Priscoe said. In addition to the new club formed by Nordstrom and SBHS staff, counselors give regular presentation on subjects such as college planning, graduation requirements and standardized tests such as the SAT. There is also the school’s Career Center, which can help a student fill out a variety of applications, such as college entry or scholarships. The school also offers a small number of college tours each year, Prisco said.
For more information on enrolling in AVID, contact program coordinator Renee Edwards at 637-5831 ext. 456 or via e-mail at [email protected]. For general information about AVID, go to www.avidcenter.org.
