AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

The Beginning!Top of Page
AVID began in 1980 by Mary Catherine Swanson, then-head of the English department at San Diego's Clairemont High School. The federal courts issued an order to desegregate the city's schools, bringing large numbers of inner city students to suburban schools. While applauding the decision, Swanson wondered how these underserved students would survive at academically acclaimed Clairemont High.
Her answer was AVID, an academic elective. But it's more than a program - it's a philosophy: Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge.
Her answer was AVID, an academic elective. But it's more than a program - it's a philosophy: Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge.
Today!Top of Page
Beginning with one high school and 32 students, AVID now serves over 400,000 students in nearly 4,500 elementary and secondary schools in 47 states, the District of Columbia and across 16 countries/territories.
Policymakers and school administrators now consider AVID an essential strategy for closing the achievement gap and making the college dream accessible to all students
Policymakers and school administrators now consider AVID an essential strategy for closing the achievement gap and making the college dream accessible to all students
A.V.I.D ApplicationsTop of Page
A.V.I.D. Applications are available for the 2016-2017 academic year.
Current RLHS students please click here, and incoming freshman students click hereto complete an AVID Program Student Application.
WICRTop of Page
Stands for:
W-Writing
W-Writing
- A learning tool
- A personal and public communication tool
- A record of thinking
I-Inquiry
- Uncovering one's understanding
- Asking critical questions
- Engaging in thinking, learning and discussion
C-Collaboration
- Teamwork with shared responsibility
- Sharing of ideas, information and opinions
- Formal and informal discussion
R-Reading
- Strategically gaining meaning, understanding and knowledge from print and other media.
- Purpose-driven
- Interactive
AVID Mission StatementTop of Page
AVID's mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.
The AVID CurriculumTop of Page
The AVID curriculum revolves requiring students to maintain a well-organized AVID BInder in which students take notes for all their academic classes, Tutorials in which students collaborate together to solve problems they are having in their classes. In addition, writing, reading, and higher level thinking strategies are emphasized.
The AVID program is based on WICR:
The AVID program is based on WICR:
- Writing
- Inquiry
- Collaboration
- Reading
Need Help?Top of Page
- Want a scholarship?
- Need financial aid?
- Find more information by clicking on those links!
- ALSO, take a look at our Counseling Department page for more information!
A-G RequirementsTop of Page
(a) History / Social Science – Two years, including one year of world history, cultures, and historical geography and one year of us history or one-half year of us history and one-half year of civics or American government.
(b) English – Four years of college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature.
(c) Mathematics – Three years of college preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.
(d) Laboratory Science – Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three disciplines: biology, chemistry, and physics.
(e) Language Other Than English – Two years of the same language other than English.
(f) Visual & Performing Arts – One year, including dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art.
(g) College Preparatory Elective – One year (two semesters), chosen from additional "a-f" courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved solely for use as "g" electives.
(b) English – Four years of college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature.
(c) Mathematics – Three years of college preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.
(d) Laboratory Science – Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three disciplines: biology, chemistry, and physics.
(e) Language Other Than English – Two years of the same language other than English.
(f) Visual & Performing Arts – One year, including dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art.
(g) College Preparatory Elective – One year (two semesters), chosen from additional "a-f" courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved solely for use as "g" electives.