According to the California Department of Education at https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/pr/avid.asp, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an in-school academic support program for grades seven through twelve. The purpose of the program is to prepare students for college eligibility and success.

AVID places academically average students in advanced classes; levels the playing field for minority, rural, low-income, and other students without a college-going tradition in their families; and targets students in the academic middle–B, C, and even D students–who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard.

When students are preparing to graduate, the AVID program offers a class called Senior Seminar. While it follows “the weekly structure of all AVID classes, with two days of teacher-led curriculum per week, two days of tutorials, and a day allocated for guest speakers, mini-courses taught by college instructors, and visits to colleges, museums, art galleries, or drama productions,” according to the FSUSD course handbook, it takes it one step further.

“As seniors progress through the year, this additional day is also used for them to work with the AVID teacher and tutors to plan their Socratic Seminar leadership, to select appropriate text materials to be discussed, and to plan their grouping strategies,” the course handbook reads. 

“Throughout the school year, the AVID teacher serves as conduit to colleges and universities as well as to academic departments on campus. This individual assists AVID students in applying for college, researching financial aid and housing, registering for entrance and placement exams, and in preparing for external examinations in the spring. AVID tutors also assist in these processes by providing actual information and giving feedback to AVID seniors regarding their applications and essays. The AVID Senior Seminar is divided into four quarters of emphasis, leading to the student’s acceptance at a four-year college or university.”

Students who are interested in attending college but are concerned about having average grades or not knowing the process to acquire scholarships and guidance are encouraged to start AVID early, but those who continue to take it in their senior year will be given substantial learning opportunities.

According to the handbook, the AVID classes, including Senior Seminar, are offered at all three of the comprehensive high schools (Armijo, Fairfield, and Rodriguez) in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. 

For more information about AVID, visit https://www.avid.org/ or talk to your counselor.