AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is an听middle school听through high school readiness system that is designed to increase student learning, performance and college readiness. The AVID system accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional development, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change.

In Bellingham, eight schools currently have AVID as an elective program; Squalicum High School, Sehome High School, Bellingham High School, Option High School, Fairhaven Middle School, Shuksan Middle School, Whatcom Middle School and Kulshan Middle School. AVID serves over听650 Bellingham Public School听students with intensive research proven support.

Although AVID serves all students, it focuses on the least served students in the academic middle.听 The formula is simple – raise expectations of students and, with the AVID support system in place, they will rise to the challenge. What differentiates AVID from other educational reform programs is its astounding success rate. Since 1990, more than 85,500 AVID students have graduated from high school and planned to attend college. Of the 22,210 AVID 2010 seniors who reported their plans, 91.3 percent intended to attend a post-secondary institution; 58.3 percent in four-year institutions and 33 percent in two-year institutions.

To learn more about AVID听click on听the link to the right, or better yet, visit one of our听seven AVID schools and see for yourself what makes AVID special and different.

Jay Jordan
Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning

(360) 676-6470 ext. 6532

Lorrie Melton
Administrative Assistant

(360) 676-6470 ext. 6532


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