Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college prep and tutoring elective program that is available to all students at ANHS and the CUSD district. AVID prepares students for high school and college through its easy pathways to access information and help with college preparation and passing admissions.
Recognized across the nation, AVID helps students with college prep and coursework while in high school. The main aim is to help students get accepted into their chosen colleges or universities by completing requirements of classes, academic achievement and school involvement.
In enrolling in AVID, students are enrolled in “A-G” sequence, meaning college preparatory classes that fulfill basic requirements to enter Universities of California and California State University systems. Tutors from junior and senior grade levels, local colleges and universities assist students in academic achievement to meet college expectations.
Seminars and multiple lessons are taken to demonstrate and teach proper note-taking strategies, study skills, test taking strategies, time management, problem solving and research skills. Students are also taught how to prepare for college applications, applying for scholarships and completing financial aid applications.
Students are placed into challenging curriculum, providing academic support, setting standards for time management and goal setting for in school and out of school. Peer tutoring, student motivation and leadership opportunities are provided to fully help students to grow out of average expectations.
Mary Lou Rodriguez, a Spanish teacher who also teaches an AVID class here at Aliso says, “AVID actually exists in elementary, middle and high school, it just evolves and becomes better over time.”
She goes on to mention, “We work on points of confusion for them to excel and do better in their other A-G courses. Students will want to look at themselves and decide if they need the extra support class.”
Malania Kvek (11), an AVID tutor at Aliso Niguel, shares, “Students should join AVID as a tutor because it’s a good leadership opportunity and it helps you complete lots of volunteering hours.”
Since every class session is tutoring and counts towards volunteer hours, you can easily rack up around 160 hours that you can then put in your college applications.
When asked what is the most important trait to be an AVID tutor, Malania determined, “I think the most important trait to be an AVID tutor is patience because you will have to walk through kids’ steps multiple times before they can get it and it can become frustrating.”
Rachel Ramirez (11), another tutor in the AVID programs, says, “I enjoy being an AVID tutor because I like helping students when they’re struggling.”
