At our school, AVID is a class that helps students get ready for college and teaches them how to stay organized. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. Mr. Carroll, the AVID teacher, said, “AVID provides academic and organizational support to students, teaching students skills like writing, note-taking, and time management to help them succeed in rigorous courses and prepare for higher education.”

AVID is not just about doing homework or taking tests. It is also about learning to believe in yourself and learning how to work independently. Mr. Carroll said, “The main thing I want students to learn is how to succeed independently. While each word in the acronym is important, the words ‘individual’ and ‘determination’ stand out. You, the individual, take control of your future with AVID.” That means students are not just following instructions. They are learning to make their own plans, stay on track, and work hard to reach their goals

Many students say that AVID has helped them become more organized and more confident. Melanie Cerino Lazaro, an 11th grader, said, “Since I started AVID I find myself a lot more organized with both my things and my schedule. Being provided with materials such as notebooks, folders, and writing utensils has helped me arrive at my classes more prepared.” She also said that using her agenda helped her “stay on top of my work more than before.” This shows that small tools like notebooks and planners can make a big difference in how students manage their schoolwork

Some students joined AVID to prepare for college and the future. Hibah Mirza, a 9th grader, said, “I joined AVID because I thought it would help me out with college things later on and because I think that it was the best option for my strong foundation.” She wanted to make sure she was learning the right skills from the start, so she would be ready for harder classes later.

Another 9th grader, Iris Machado, said AVID taught her skills she uses every day. “AVID has taught me to be organized,” Iris said. “I use my planner every day to write what I did in each class and whether or not I have homework.” She also said that using folders for each class helps her “stay prepared and not lose papers.” This shows that AVID is not just about learning for tests but also about learning habits that help students in real life

For older students like Ayaa Mohamed, AVID has been very helpful in thinking about the future. “My advice to a new AVID student is to have an open mind and engage in all the activities and assignments in AVID because they always end up helping in the long run, even if they seem unimportant now,” Ayaa said. She also shared that AVID “helped me think about future goals and careers by setting me up for success from the very beginning.”

AVID teaches students how to plan for their goals, stay organized, and take control of their future. It helps them be ready for college, for work, and for life in general. As Mr Carroll said, it’s all about having individual determination, and that is something every student can use. AVID shows that working hard, staying organized, and believing in yourself can make a big difference in school and in life.

Do you think AVID could help you reach your goals, too?