Graduating high school is an achievement to be proud of, but not all students have a clear idea of what comes next for them. AVID is a college and career readiness system that helps students build the skills and knowledge they need for success after high school. Here’s how it works.
Jump to:
- What is AVID?
- What do students do in an AVID Elective class?
- What does a schoolwide AVID approach look like?
- Does AVID work?
- How do teachers participate in AVID?
- We Are Teachers Resources to Support AVID
- AVID FAQs
What is AVID?
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college readiness and career planning system that helps students develop the academic skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed after high school. Their mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.
AVID College and Career Readiness Framework
This framework provides a foundation for the AVID program, describing the roles and desired outcomes for students, educators, and schools.
Per the framework, AVID students need:
- Rigorous Academic Preparation: The opportunity and necessary support to succeed in challenging classes
- Opportunity Knowledge: Information about the options and pathways open to them after high school graduation
- Student Agency: The ability to take ownership of their learning goals, make decisions, and advocate for themselves
Educators and schools support these outcomes through Collective Educator Agency, which means they:
- Insist on Rigor: Demand high academic standards for all students
- Break Down Barriers: Actively seek out and create equitable opportunities for all students to succeed
- Align the Work: Create policies and practices that support future success for all students
- Advocate for Students: Support students academically, emotionally, and socially while challenging factors that limit potential
This framework applies schoolwide—across instruction, systems, leadership, and culture in all grade levels, subjects, and programs.
AVID System vs. AVID Elective Class
AVID can refer to two related things: an overall schoolwide system, and the AVID Elective class. Schools who use this program implement AVID strategies across grade levels, with a stronger focus in grades 6 to 12. Selected students take a dedicated class where they receive additional instruction and support in academic skills, organization, college/career knowledge, and student agency.
Not all students take the Avid Elective class. But schools can use AVID college readiness and career planning strategies across classrooms to help all students prepare for future success.
| What AVID is NOT: | What AVID Is: |
| Just an elective class | A schoolwide approach to teaching and learning that support college and career readiness for all students |
| A remedial program | A program that provides academic and social support and opportunities for underserved students |
| Only about college | Designed to support success in post-secondary endeavors, including college, career, and adult life |
| The same at every school | A flexible program used by individual schools and districts to best support their specific student populations |
| A study hall or tutoring program | A way to build academic skills, such as note-taking, organization, and critical thinking |
Who is AVID for?
Students across an AVID school can benefit from strategies that build skills in higher-level thinking, organization and executive functioning, and collaboration. However, the AVID Elective itself is designed for students who have the potential to succeed in rigorous academic classes, but may benefit from extra support.
Schools set their own criteria for enrollment in the AVID Elective. It isn’t a remedial class, and it’s not limited to those who plan to attend a four-year college. Historically, AVID programs have focused on students who have been underserved in access to college prep coursework and postsecondary opportunities.
Is AVID free?
AVID is free for students who participate. However, schools must pay for teacher training and other program resources. There are many funding options available, including grants, federal or state funds, Title funds, and more. Learn more about AVID funding options for schools here.
What do students do in an AVID Elective class?
For one class period each day, students who take this elective spend time focused on specific college and career readiness skills. They may:
- Learn and practice note-taking strategies
- Read and write about challenging material
- Ask questions and explain their thinking to develop critical thinking skills
- Develop study skills they can use in all academic classes
- Build executive functioning skills like organization and time management
- Work collaboratively with classmates
- Research colleges and careers
- Learn about the steps involved in postsecondary education
- Set goals and monitor personal progress
AVID Elective classes also provide academic support as needed though teacher or peer tutoring, as well as more time to get schoolwork done in an environment that encourages quiet and learning. Many AVID students don’t have ideal study conditions at home, so this class provides a dedicated learning space with the tools and assistance they need.
What is WICOR?
AVID uses a methodology known as WICOR, which focuses on key skills in writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading. In AVID schools, teachers use and support these practices across grade levels and subjects.
| WICOR Area | Goal | What It Looks Like |
| Writing | Develop effective strategies that support strong written communication skills | Using writing to explain thoughts clearly, summarize ideas, or for personal reflection |
| Inquiry | Create a scholarly mindset through higher-order thinking that encourages problem-solving and critical-thinking skills | Asking questions, investigating new ideas, analyzing information, and defending opinions effectively |
| Collaboration | Work together productively and positively to prepare for success in real-world situations | Discussing ideas, solving problems, demonstrating both leadership and teamwork in group situations |
| Organization | Build key executive function life skills needed for college and career success | Using effective strategies for time management, planning and goal-setting, study habits and note-taking, and more |
| Reading | Strengthen reading comprehension skills needed in academic settings and the workplace | Actively reading, annotating, and analyzing texts on a variety of subjects |
What does a schoolwide AVID approach look like?
When a school or district decides to participate in AVID, it becomes a broad endeavor across many grade levels. While the program targets specific students for extra attention, the whole school or district places an emphasis on high expectations for its students, encouraging them to set and achieve high standards.
AVID Elementary
For grades pre-K to 6, AVID Elementary helps students develop important early study and organizational skills, and begin learning about possible college and career opportunities. At this age, teachers focus on:
- Teaching students organizational routines
- Building academic vocabulary
- Encouraging students to explain their thinking
- Using collaborative learning
- Teaching students how to ask questions
- Developing goal-setting and reflection habits
- Building knowledge about college and career options in age-appropriate ways
AVID Secondary
Starting in sixth grade, schools actively identify students with the potential to benefit from the program and enroll them in AVID Elective class. They may also use the AVID Excel program with students who need English-language support.
Whether they’re enrolled in AVID class or not, all students in these schools receive a higher level of college and career readiness preparation. The elective gives participating students a dedicated setting to develop these skills, while the broader AVID system encourages educators and school leaders to create an environment that supports college and career readiness for all students.
Does AVID work?
Recent research has found positive associations between AVID participation and academic and social successes. In an analysis of 18 years of district data from the San Francisco USD, AVID participation was associated with stronger GPA trajectories during the high school years. Among students entering high school with a GPA of 2.0 or below, participants had higher GPAs by the end of 12th grade—approximately 3.2 versus 2.2. (Stanford-SFUSD AVID Partnership, 2026)
But not all schools experience the same level of success. A 2024 doctoral dissertation study of AVID Elementary in a rural South Carolina district found no statistically significant differences in state assessment scores between students in AVID and non-AVID schools. (Dixon, 2024)
The founders of the program state that AVID works best when schools make a full commitment, giving teachers the professional development and support they need to put principles into action. Just like PBIS or restorative justice, the program requires solid buy-in and continued support from administration, staff, and students.
How do teachers participate in AVID?
At the secondary level, teachers interested in teaching AVID Elective classes attend specialized training and professional development programs. They also work with other teachers to support the program by incorporating its instructional strategies in their classrooms.
All teachers in AVID schools encourage higher-order and critical thinking, create opportunities for collaboration, and promote college and career readiness skills. Schools may assemble a Site Team composed of teachers, administrators, counselors, and others to create goals, collect data, obtain funding, and build a Site Plan.
We Are Teachers Resources to Support AVID
- Helpful Note-Taking Strategies for Students
- We Are Teachers Career Exploration Hub
- Free Career Exploration Lesson Plans (Elementary)
- Career Exploration Activity (Secondary)
- One-Pager Examples and Instructional Tips
- Higher Order Thinking Questions (Free Printable)
- Job Readiness Activities That Teach Soft Skills
AVID FAQs
AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It is a college readiness and career planning system that helps students develop the academic skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed after high school.
AVID is designed to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society. Historically, the program has focused on underserved student populations who have the potential to succeed in rigorous academic classes, but may benefit from extra support.
The AVID Elective class meets once during the school day, providing time for students to learn and apply study skills, organizational skills, student agency, critical thinking, and other key factors for future success. They learn note-taking strategies, strengthen reading and writing skills, work collaboratively, and research colleges and careers. Students may also use the time for schoolwork, especially in subjects where they need extra assistance.
AVID Elementary helps students from pre-K to grade 6 develop important early study and organizational skills. Teachers also emphasize skills that prepare students for academic success, such as building academic vocabulary and learning to ask higher-order thinking questions. Students begin building knowledge about college and career options, and how to set goals to help them achieve their aspirations.
Recent research shows positive associations between AVID programs and academic indicators such as GPAs, college acceptance, and scholarship awards. However, not all schools experience the same outcomes with AVID. The program’s success depends on a school’s individual situation, commitment, and experiences.
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