What Is AVID?

group of students

 Learn more about the national AVID organization at AVID.org. 

Entrance into Greenwich Public School (GPS) AVID requires a rigorous application and selection process; students and their families sign an AVID contract to participate in the program.  Learn more at AVID at Greenwich Public Schools. 

Overview

A Proven, National, Game Changing Program for Underserved Students

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a national college readiness system with over 40 years of proven success. AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap among diverse and underrepresented demographic groups. AVID identifies students in the academic middle from these underrepresented groups who have great academic potential.

AVID delivers a demanding college-prep curriculum and facilitates student involvement in extracurricular activities. The AVID program empowers all students to take ownership of their learning, prepare for tomorrow and become leaders.

The formula is simple – raise expectations of students and with the AVID support system, they will rise to the challenge. Over time, AVID’s impact is felt school-wide, as passionate teachers use the strategies gained from AVID professional training in all their classrooms.

AVID STUDENT PROFILE

AVID Students Possess Drive, Discipline and Perseverance

  • Academic Middle: C to B overall GPA, average test scores
  • Demonstrated Potential: desire and individual determination to work hard, good attendance record, strong teacher recommendations
  • Historically Underserved in Four-Year Colleges & Universities:  typically first generation in family to attend college, often from families where English is second language and/or in the low socio-economic range

GPS AVID TIMELINE

Alliance Initiates AVID Implementation As Key Gap Closing Strategy … And Our Commitment Continues

  • 2009: Funded by a Reaching Out Grant, AVID launches as a full-credit elective at Greenwich High School
  • 2013:  AVID expands to Central Middle School through additional Reaching Out Grant funding 
  • 2013:  First AVID class (known as the “Sweet Sixteen”) graduates from GHS
  • 2013:  The Alliance establishes its Mentoring and Scholarship programs to support GHS AVID graduates
  • 2014:  Proven success – GHS AVID program opens two sections starting with Class of 2018
  • 2015:  Investment continues with expansion to Western Middle School
  • 2019:  WMS selects AVID School-wide as its magnet theme
  • 2020: The Alliance launches a new initiative, AVID SUCCESS, to centralize and grow its AVID-related support activities
  • 2021:  The Alliance supports GPS AVID Training for educators from three Title 1 elementary schools
  • 2022:  AVID SUCCESS expands Good Money Habits, Mentoring, Alumni Engagement and Jobs & Professional Tools

IMPACT

AVID Is Making A Difference For Greenwich Public School Students & Expanding In The District

$250,000+ Alliance investment in AVID programs/training
1000+ GPS students have benefited from AVID pedagogy
Over 375 middle school and high school students currently enrolled in GPS AVID electives
150+ GPS teachers have been trained in AVID techniques

300+ GHS AVID students have graduated & enrolled in college
$880,000+ in scholarships awarded to GHS AVID grads
$80,000+ AVID SUCCESS college & career extensions

Join Our E-Mail List

Contact Us

Greenwich Alliance for Education
48 Maple Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
203.340.2323
julie@greenwichalliance.org
boardchair@greenwichalliance.org