1. Welcome to AVID
Family Night!

2. Individual Determination
AVID Program
Advancement
via
Individual Determination

3. The Mission of AVID
The mission of AVID is to ensure that ALL students, and most especially the least served students who are in the middle:
will succeed in rigorous curriculum;
will complete a rigorous college preparatory path;
will enter mainstream activities of the school;
will increase their enrollment and success in four-year colleges; and
will become educated and responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society.

4. How AVID Helps Students
AVID is an academic, regularly scheduled elective class that helps students by:
Teaching study, note-taking and organizational skills
Strengthening their reading and writing skills
Giving tutorial help with college tutors
Teaching them to work collaboratively

5. How AVID Helps Students
AVID guides students to be competitive for college and scholarships, confident in their abilities for success by:
Taking them to visit colleges and universities
Assisting them with the application process for four- year colleges and universities
Assisting students to prepare for college entrance exams (ACT, SAT, EAP, etc.)
Requiring community service and active involvement in extracurricular activities each semester of high school.

6. Signed IRC Due (every 2 weeks) Team-Building & Motivational Activities
A Sample Week in the AVID Elective
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Tutorial
AVID Curriculum
Binder Check
Signed IRC Due (every 2 weeks)
Team-Building & Motivational Activities
AVID Curriculum includes:
Reading and Writing Curriculum
College and Career Preparation and Information
Collaborative, inquiry-based work (ex: Socratic Seminar)

7. How is this class graded?
25%: Binders
25%: Assignments & IRC
25%: Tutorials
25%: Projects, Essays & Portfolio

8. Cornell Notes
Cornell notes are a system of note-taking that force students to review notes in order to better understand and retain knowledge
AVID requires 15 pages of notes per week. Students have TONS of resources and accommodations to complete this
Should be completing 2-3 pages of notes per night (not 15 on night before)

9. Tutorials
Tutorials are like study groups: students ask each other questions in order to help each other understand concepts.

10. Tutorials TRFs are Tutorial Request Forms
These are due at the beginning of each class on Tutorial days.
They are available online as well as during class the day of tutorial.
Students must work their problem to their point of confusion (POC).
Students create a question based on POC.

11. IRCs An IRC is an Interim Report Card.
Parents should review ALL information on IRC BEFORE signing.
Students with a D or F in a class MUST get mandatory tutoring within two weeks of the IRC.
If students don’t get tutoring, they lose points in AVID.

12. Planners!!! ALL Avid students have a planner
Students should be writing down HW and important dates for each period in planner and checking when done!
In the event of no homework, none or no hw is written (no blanks)
If student has lots of blanks or unchecked boxes- probably not using planner (losing points on binder check)

13. Grades High School grades range from A+ to F
If a student receives a grade of D constitutes passing the High School level
A grade of D is NOT accepted by colleges as completion of a requirement
AVID student contracts require minimum GPA of 2.25 and a C or higher in AVID. Students who fail to meet these standards may be dropped from program if AIP not met.

14. Preparing for College:
Grades and GPA
Colleges look closely at the grades that students earn in college-prep courses.
The grades are converted into points (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). There is a handy GPA calculator on the back of your IRC to determine your Academic GPA.
The minimum GPA required for admission to a 4-year college or university varies widely, but students should strive for at least a “B” average or 3.0 GPA.
A higher GPA in rigorous courses (AP and honors courses) will increase students' chances of admission to more selective colleges and universities.

15. Portfolio
AVID students are required to create and maintain a Portfolio.
This is created and worked on in the Elective class.
Portfolios will stay with students and be developed through the end of senior year.

16. Volunteer Logs
AVID students are required to participate in 15-hours of Community Service per semester.
Students must complete and return their “Volunteer Log” for credit.

17. Community Service
All AVID students are required to complete 15 hours of Community Service per Semester
The Community Service needs to be documented using the form provided
Community Service performed with recognized organizations (e.g. Red Cross) create better recognition on college applications
Students must also write a reflective essay on their experience to help better prepare them with college entrance writing selections based on their Community Service

18. Extracurricular Activities Log
AVID students are required to participate in at least one club/sport/other extracurricular program per semester.
Students must complete and return their “Extracurricular Log” for credit.

19. Extracurricular Activities
Students should be involved in outside activities
High School Sports, Clubs, AVID Leadership
Colleges focus more on the depth of participation in a particular activity than on the overall number of different activities participated in .
Leadership positions stand out in the admissions process
Engage in academic activities as well
Concurrent enrollment at local Community Colleges
Summer academic based programs

20. Progress Reports Progress Reports mailed out every five weeks
Sept 22, Dec 1, Feb 11, April 4
Report Cards are mailed out November, January, March and June
October 23, Jan 15, March 24, June 10
Any concerns with grades parents are encouraged to contact the TEACHER directly
Utilize ABI for regular updates concerning students attendance and grade progression

21. Aeries Browser Interface--ABI
SLHS’s student information database
Parents have access to child’s attendance, grades as well as ability to view teacher grade book for their student’s classes
Must have an address and students Aeries ID number to access ABI
Contact counseling office, AP office or the librarian for your students Aeries ID number
Visit under the “FOR PARENTS” tab
Students are required to check their grades every two weeks to complete an interim report card. This must be signed by parents in order to get credit.
Please review ALL of the content on the IRC BEFORE signing!

22. Preparing for College
Colleges and universities look for “well-rounded” students that participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, student government, music, drama, visual arts, community/volunteer service, and/or part- time jobs.
Not the amount of activities you do, but the depth
Leadership positions stand out in the admissions process
Engage in academic activities as well
Concurrent enrollment at local Community Colleges
Summer academic based programs

23. College Admissions
What do Colleges look for in the Admissions process?
A-G classes
GPA
College Entrance Exams
Extracurricular Activities/Community Service
Good Personal Statement

24. Preparing for College: A – G Courses
The University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) require entering freshmen to complete certain courses in high school. Here is the list of "a-g", with the number of years required in each subject. UC recommends additional years in some areas as indicated.
a. History/Social Science (2 years)
b. English (4 years)
c. Mathematics (3 years, UC recommends 4)
d. Laboratory Science (2 years, UC recommends 3)
e. Language Other than English (2 years, UC recommends 3)
f. Visual/Performing Arts (1 year)
g. College Preparatory Elective (1 year)

25. Preparing for College: College Entrance Tests
Most 4-year colleges and universities require:
SAT-I or the ACT (American College Test)
Some colleges also require or recommend the SAT subject tests
Students should take practice tests to become familiar
with test formats:
In AVID classes, students take the ACT- Aspire test during their 10th grade year
Students should register to take the PSAT at the beginning of their 10th or 11th grade years

26. Preparing for College: MINIMUM Eligibility Requirements
University of California
3.0+ GPA
A-G Completion
SAT Reasoning Test or ACT Test w/Writing
Personal Statement
Extracurricular Activities
California State University
2.0+ GPA
A-G Completion
SAT Reasoning or ACT Test

27. Eligible vs. Competitive
Most colleges look for well rounded students
Students should be taking more challenging courses when possible like AP, Honors & California Community College classes
Students need to be involved in extracurricular activities
Sports
Student Government
Community/Volunteer Service
Part Time Jobs
Get and stay involved- the longer with an organization the better!
KEEP YOUR GRADES UP!!!

28. How to start preparing now?
Immediately discuss your College Goal with your support team (parents, teachers, etc.)
READ, READ, READ
Good readers make good thinkers and good writers
Promote good study habits
Participate in SUMMER PROGRAMS!
Enroll in Honors and AP classes
Focus on taking A-G requirements and not just graduation requirements
Meet with your child’s teachers and counselor to learn about their performance

29. Thank you for attending AVID Parent Night
Sam McClymont, 10th Grade AVID Elective Teacher
SLHS AVID Coordinator