The AVID program is making history this year with its first graduating class.

The AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Determination), was first introduced in 2009 by Dr. Curtis, but didn’t actually start until February of 2010. “During a cabinet meeting, Dr. Curtis mentioned it and I volunteered to help and be involved in the program,” said Ms. Korten, the Assistant Principal of the program.

The idea behind AVID was to help the middle average students to succeed. “AVID was made for the middle functioning students. The kids who weren’t quite SIS or IB. We encouraged these students to realize their true potential, because the middle kids get lost and forgotten about. There’s nothing for them,” said Ms. Roberts guidance counselor and coordinator of the program.

Many of the students who were invited into the program were reluctant at first, because of  the work and commitment required of  the program. “The biggest problem for the students has been learning how to take notes in a different way, the tutoring, and getting used to a whole new way of approaching school. They also had to learn how to think. Coming from a regular setting, you aren’t taught how to take notes or how to be organized. Molding them was hard, they resisted,” said Ms. Roberts.

The AVID elective teachers also faced challenges,  having to go through extensive training throughout the school year. “I was a little scared when I was first asked to be a part of the AVID program. I was already involved in a lot of things, and being an AVID teacher takes a lot of commitment,” said Mr. Banks, an AVID elective teacher.

Some of the program’s requirements included carrying a three inch binder and writing Cornell style notes, which is splitting the paper in half, writing notes on one side and key words and questions on the other.

“I was very against using the binders and writing in Cornell format. I would do anything I could to postpone using the proper AVID way, while still passing the binder gradings every Friday. Eventually, I realized it was more trouble than it was worth so I just gave in,” said Kristen Foster, an AVID senior. “It was actually really helpful with organization and studying efficiently and I’m most likely going to be writing in the same format when I got to college next year,” said Foster.

AVID classes aren’t much different from any other class, except they focus on how to be successful in all classes rather than in one subject like history, or math. “Free thinking is encouraged. We teach them how to think outside the box, and to think ‘what if’, rather than just concrete ideas,” said Ms. Roberts. This kind of teaching encourages creativity and even helps students to think on a higher level, rather than just accepting what’s in front of them. “I believe that students fall into a rut where they feel they’re just repeating the motions of subject classes – Here’s the info, and here’s a test – but the AVID elective class is a chance where they can learn how to think outside the box,” said M. Fornabaio, an AVID elective teacher.

“The AVID program was an experience that really changed who I was. Coming into Curtis, I didn’t know what to do. Once I came into the AVID program, the teachers really motivated me to do something in high school. It’s all about stepping out of your comfort zone,” said Victor Benavidez. Benavidez started out as a freshman AVID program, but in his junior year, he felt confident enough to leave and join the IB program. “IB and AVID are like sister programs. AVID prepares you for the challenging parts of life. My challenge in high school was the IB program,” said Benavidez.

The AVID program helped to prepare the seniors for both college and life. Having been together for four years, the seniors class has been there for each other through thick and thin, even having Mr. Fornabaio’s famous ‘What Sucks’ lessons to help students be open about their problems. “There isn’t a single achievement, but there are great achievements within each of our students. They can be academic, personal, athletic, or social, and I’m proud to have helped,” said Mr. Fornabaio.

“You build relationships that truly epitomize the teacher and student paradigm. I’ve learned so much about teaching from them because we’ve had four years together,” said Fornabaio.

Sylvia Pericles, an AVID senior was also chosen to speak on behalf of the AVID program at a conference. Each year, two students are picked to speak in front of 3,000+ people about their experience as an AVID student. “I was really excited to know that I won because I worked really hard for it, although I’m really nervous to read it to so many people,” said Pericles.

Now that the program is coming to an end, the seniors feel sad that this era in their lives are ending. “I’m going to miss the AVID program. I’m going to miss my friends and the laughter. We’re like a family,” said Benjamin Ellis, an AVID senior.

“AVID matured the students. They’re a family. The AVID class has a special bond because they have been together for four years,” said Ms. Roberts.