Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) has been on Holland 's campus for two
years. The program was implemented as a catalyst for change. The way AVID works
to achieve success is by equipping our teachers and students with strategies
that have proven to be effective.
Teachers and tutors of AVID receive training throughout the
year from AVID center. In training, they are equipped with lessons that consist
of innovative activities that make learning interesting and fun. After
training, they are ready to work with the students.
To minimize distractions and to keep a positive learning
environment, students must be recommended by one of their teachers, they must
accept the "Challenge of Change", and they must have parent consent to enroll
into the program. If you are a student at Holland and you want to become a member of
the AVID family, think about how you would answer the following
questions:
- Do you want help becoming more organized?
- Do you want to learn how to study and apply yourself?
- Do you want to enroll in Pre-AP courses?
- Do you want to learn about various careers?
- Do you want to acquire more knowledge about colleges and
universities?
If you answered yes to at least three of these questions,
the AVID program might be what you need to help you achieve your dreams!
The AVID program is designed to provide access to a
more rigorous curriculum, which is why our students are encouraged to take on
at least one Advanced Placement course. To help ensure our success in these
rigorous courses, we hold tutorial sessions twice a week. Prior to an AVID tutorial session, students
must prepare two tutorial request that state what they need help with, what
they already know about that problem, and what they would like their peers to
help them understand. During the tutorial
sessions, students form groups of 4 - 7 individuals and then they share
problems and compare the methods of how each one was resolved. This
creates dialogue and healthy debates about what they are learning in their core
classes. Whatever they need clarified is
discussed with their core teachers when they return to their classes. Tutors are present during each tutorial
session to make sure students are holding focused dialogue about notes, class
work, quizzes, or tests. Tutors also
help students develop and pose questions to one another.
All AVID students will need certain supplies for the AVID
program. The following supplies are mandatory for the each AVID student:
~ Blue/Black ink pens
~ #2 Pencils
~ 6” Ruler
~ Pocket Dictionary
~ Pencil Pouch
~ 3” Binder (1” or 2” Binders will not be permitted)
Get ready for your minds to be engaged in a new way of learning with
challenging coursework!
Along with a strong focus on academics, there will also
be several field trips this year. These
field trips will take place during the week as well as on some Saturdays. We will visit locations that teach us about
careers and colleges and we will also take a cultural field trip.
When Mr. McDonald decided to implement the AVID
program at Holland,
he wanted to provide a better foundation for the students. In helping achieve this goal, he purchased
The Write Path library which is the AVID curriculum. These guides focus on WICR, which stands for
Writing to learn, Inquiry, Collaboration with peers, and Reading to learn. The library also provides strategies that
help improve their time management skills so that they are able to multi-task
when they need to study and are faced with a hectic schedule due to participation
in sports, clubs, and organizations.
Parent volunteers are needed to serve as chaperones
and/or to assist in significant tasks around the school. All volunteers must register with the district
and undergo a background check to ensure that students’ safety is
maintained. If you have already applied
to be a volunteer this school year at an HISD school, you do not need to
reapply again. The information can be
transferred from one school to another.
A Message From the Holland Middle School AVID Site Team:
The AVID program is an opportunity for our students to begin
making positive changes to their lives.
The requirements of the AVID program get students into the habit of
thinking and acting like the students who typically graduate at the top of
their classes. Everything that our
students are learning should remain with them for the rest of their lives. We look forward to hearing all the wonderful
success stories that await their futures!
AVID Site Team,
Holland
Middle School
AVID 
