The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program is a transformative educational initiative designed to close the opportunity gap and prepare students for college and career success. Through scaffolded academic, social, and emotional support, AVID helps students develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to achieve their goals. AVID is implemented in more than 7,000 schools across 47 states, impacting over 2 million K–12 students worldwide. Whether through AVID Elementary or AVID Secondary, the program equips students and educators with tools to foster college readiness, develop critical thinking, and encourage lifelong learning.

AVID is more than a program—it’s a pathway to opportunity. The program helps students, especially those who may be the first in their families to attend college or come from traditionally underrepresented groups, achieve their goals. By fostering critical thinking, self-advocacy, and academic habits, AVID ensures students are prepared to excel in postsecondary education and beyond.

AVID provides a flexible, scaffolded approach to college and career readiness:

• Elementary: Focuses on foundational academic habits such as organization, communication, and study skills.

• Secondary: Offers an elective course and school-wide implementation to support rigorous coursework and develop college- and career-ready skills.

AVID training for educators equips teachers with professional development and strategies they can bring back to any classroom, creating a culture of success that benefits all students.

AVID Elementary builds a strong foundation for academic success by teaching students key habits like organization, study skills, communication, and self-advocacy in an age-appropriate and engaging way. Students practice structured note-taking and answering high-level questions, setting the stage for success in middle and high school. A strong college-going culture is fostered in AVID Elementary schools, where educators share their college experiences, and classrooms are adorned with college pennants and banners. This program ensures that college and careers are familiar concepts, inspiring students to aim high from a young age.

• How It Works: AVID is embedded into the school day and can start with training as small as four teachers across specific grade levels or the entire campus.

At the middle and high school levels, AVID provides both an elective course and a school-wide approach to support college and career readiness. The AVID Elective course offers students one period a day to receive targeted academic, social, and emotional support, helping them succeed in their school’s most rigorous courses. For long-term English language learners, the AVID Excel elective addresses language and literacy needs.

AVID Secondary extends its impact beyond the elective class, as trained educators incorporate AVID strategies into all classrooms, creating a ripple effect that improves engagement and success for all students. The program helps first-generation college students and those from underrepresented groups gain the skills and confidence to pursue higher education.

• How It Works: Schools have the flexibility to start small with AVID, implementing the elective in specific grades and scaling the program over time.

Banning Unified School District is proud to offer the AVID program at the following schools, ensuring students across all grade levels have access to resources and support for college and career readiness:

• Cabazon Elementary School

• Central Elementary School

• Hemmerling Elementary School

• Hoffer Elementary School

• Nicolet Middle School

• Banning High School

Each of these schools is dedicated to fostering academic excellence, critical thinking, and lifelong learning through the AVID program. From foundational skills in elementary school to rigorous preparation in secondary school, AVID helps students achieve their full potential.