AVID at Alcott High School for the Humanities (AHSH) is led by teacher Melina Luna and she can be reached via email at mluna15@cps.edu.  Why AVID at AHSH?  The reason is simple: all AHSH students are college-bound, hard working, lifelong learners who will benefit from a program such as AVID.  Following is helpful information to better understand why AHSH chose to have a schoolwide AVID program. 

• AVID is an acronym that stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.
  

• AVID is an international program currently implemented in 45 states of the U.S. and 15 countries of the world
  

• In CPS, AVID is an in-school academic support program for grades 4th-12th that prepares students for college eligibility and success. In the HS and MS model, AVID is a separate elective course.
  

• AVID places academically average students in advanced classes.
  

• AVID levels the playing field for students without a college-going tradition in their families.
  

• AVID is for all students, but it targets those in the academic middle.
  

• AVID is implemented school wide and district wide.
  

Why AVID Works:

• AVID is a school-wide initiative. It is designed to influence the belief system and culture of the entire school.
  

• AVID at the elementary level infuses best teaching practices through four quality standards: note taking, time management, organization and inquiry.
  

• In middle schools and high schools AVID accelerates students into more rigorous courses and provides intensive support strategies they need to succeed.
  

• The role of the AVID teacher is redefined from lecturer to advocate and guide. The role of the counselors changes from gatekeeper to facilitator.
  

• AVID strategies are research based and data driven.
  

The AVID Elective Classroom (6-12th grade):

Students meet in an elective section of AVID every day and receive academic skill support and instruction. Twice a week students are coached by college tutors and work in collaborative groups. The remaining three days are devoted to a strong reading and writing curriculum; study skills; preparation for college entrance and placement exams; guest speakers; team building; and field trips to colleges or businesses.

Chicago Public School AVID Facts:

• Beginning September 2009, 60+ active Chicago Public High Schools will be implementing AVID.
  

• Beginning September 2009, 191+ Chicago Public Elementary Schools will implement AVID, including 17+ implementing the AVID elective in 6-8th grade.
  

• In 2009, CPS saw the third class of AVID students graduate. 94% of them graduated on time. In 2008, 68.7 % enrolled in college (compared to 52% of all CPS graduates in 2007).
  

• All AVID high school students must complete a college prep curriculum, take at least two AP classes, apply to 5 colleges and 5 scholarships.
  

• AVID high school students participate in college tours, online college fairs, special events among other opportunities.
  

AVID

Alcott High School for the Humanities               |                2957 N. Hoyne Avenue   Chicago, IL  60618                           |                         773.534.5970

Alcott HS is part of the only pre-K thru grade 12 school in the City of Chicago.  Visit Alcott Elementary to learn more about our comprehensive educational program.

Alcott High School for the Humanities