Dear Future AVID Student: ______________________________________________
You are invited to apply to become a member of Red Mountain’s AVID class for the next
school year. You have been recommended by one of your teachers as a student who
fits the profile of a potential AVID student and a person who can achieve your college
dreams with the help of AVID.
What is AVID? AVID is an elective class offered to students who would like to prepare
for a four-year university. The curriculum features writing, inquiry, collaboration,
reading, note taking, and study skills. AVID also provides college and career
exploration opportunities as well as motivational activities and guest speakers.
What does an average AVID week look like? Twice a week tutors help you answer
questions about your homework or help you prepare for tests. Twice a week you work
with your teacher to build skills that prepare you for college. Once a week you will have
a binder check to help you improve your organizational and time management skills.
Additionally, most weeks, the class participates in some type of motivational or teambuilding activity.
What is required as an AVID student?
An AVID student—
☺
Maintains an academic curriculum—one that meets college admission
requirements and includes an AVID elective class every year.
☺
Participates in community or volunteer service activities each year—striving to
complete a Service Learning seal on your diploma
☺
Works to improve study and organizational skills. Works collaboratively with
the AVID tutors and other AVID students.
☺
Takes college entrance exams, such as PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
☺
Maintains 2.0 or better GPA, shows effort, displays a positive attitude, and
demonstrates appropriate behavior.
If this sounds like you—(1) review the requirements of the program with your parent or
guardian, (2) complete the application and student questionnaire, (3) obtain two
teacher/counselor recommendations and (4) return the application packet to Red
Mountain High School—Attention: Celeste Burns in room 110.
We are looking forward to seeing you as a future AVID Mountain Lion!
Dear Parents:
Your child is interested in becoming a part of the AVID Program at Red Mountain High School. AVID is a
program that identifies students from elementary – 12th grade and prepares them for four-year college
entry. The program was developed at San Diego’s Clairemont High School in 1980 and is now helping
students in over 2,700 schools fulfill their college dreams. The AVID elective class is held within the
regular school day, provides support, academic monitoring, and tutoring. Writing, inquiry,
collaboration, and reading, along with tutorials and study skills, are the core strategies of the program.
AVID has a national website you can access at www.avidonline.org for more information.
What is required of AVID students in the AVID elective classroom?
Students are required to carry an AVID binder where they keep materials from all academic classes.
Students are required to keep track of assignments and to take daily notes in all academic classes. The
notebooks are graded regularly for content and organization. Students are also required to participate
in tutorial sessions twice weekly. Tutorials require that AVID students develop and apply inquiry skills to
discover the answers to their own academic questions. In addition, AVID students practice skills in study
techniques, test preparation, time management, reading, and the writing process.
What is required of an AVID student at Red Mountain?
Students are required to maintain at least a 2.0 (or C) grade point average (3.0 GPA is expected by junior
year to increase scholarship potential), participate in school and club activities, maintain good conduct,
and complete volunteer or community service each year—the goal being that each AVID student earn
the Service Learning seal on his or her diploma. Students are also required to actively participate in their
education by completing all assignments and by maintaining an active relationship with their teachers
by participating in class and by seeking help as necessary when struggling with a subject. Since this is a
college preparation program, AVID students are required to take college entrance tests, such as the
PSAT, SAT, and ACT, as appropriate to their grade level. AVID student must also enroll in at least one
Advanced Placement (AP) class at some point during high school.
What will parents be asked to do to support the AVID student?
We ask that parents maintain good communication with the AVID elective teacher. We ask that parents
monitor their students’ progress through the tools that Red Mountain and AVID uses: the Parent Portal,
the AVID Progress Report, and Assignment Calendar. We ask that parents monitor homework and
provide a quiet, distraction-free environment for study. We ask that parents verbally stress the
importance of success in high school and in college. We ask that parents attend Family Workshops or
AVID Family Nights when they are held throughout the year.
We look forward to supporting your child’s college dream. If you have further questions, please call me,
Celeste Burns, at 480-472-8169 or contact me at cmburns@mpsaz.org.
Sincerely,
Celeste M. Burns
Red Mountain - AVID Coordinator
Red Mountain High School
AVID Application
Name __________________________________________
School ______________________Current Grade Level __________
Directions: Please complete this questionnaire in blue or black ink.
1. Name at least three of your academic and/or personal strengths.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. What two academic or personal areas would you like to improve?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. What do you think your career interest will be? __________________________________
4. What colleges are you interested in attending? _________________________________
5. If you were to struggle in a class, list at least three things you would do to improve your
grade. List them in chronological order—what would you do first, next, and so forth.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
6. If you are selected for AVID, which elective would you like to drop? __________________
AVID Application Essay
Directions: Please respond to the prompt questions below in a multi-paragraph essay. Your
final document should be typed, double-spaced, and in an appropriate academic, 12-point font.
Your essay will probably be at least a page, if not more, in length.
You may also provide other information about yourself.
1) Why do you and your parents want you to be in AVID?
2) Why do you want to go to college?
3) What can you contribute to the Red Mountain AVID Family? What strengths do you bring to
Red Mountain that will help AVID help you?
4) Provide any other information that you want the selection committee to know about you.
Some areas you may want to include are your volunteer service or special challenges you
are facing or you have overcome,
Advancement Via Individual Determination Application
Red Mountain High School
Please complete all information below completely and legibly.
Student Information
Date:
Last Name
First Name
Current School
GPA
Parent/Guardian Information
Parent Name
Parent Name
Home Phone:
Home Phone:
Other Phone:
Other Phone:
Email:
Email:
Family Information and Educational
History
Number of
Children in
Your
Family:
□ Two Parent □
Single Mom □ Single Dad □
Grandparent □ Guardian
Household Status
Mark the column with “X” to indicate the
highest level of education COMPLETED by
each family member.
Elementary (K-6)
Junior High (7-8)
High School (9-12) Graduate
High School (9-12) Non-Graduate
GED Certificate
Technical/Vocational School
Community College Graduate
Community College Non-Graduate
University or 4-Year College Graduate
University or 4-Year College NonGraduate
Father/
Guardian
Mother/
Guardian
Sister(s)
Brother (s)
AVID Recommendation Form
Teacher/Counselor
Student Name:__________________________________
Grade: _____________
Recommending Teacher/ Counselor: ________________________________________
Subject taught student: ______________
Please Check Your Choice
Year: ____
Grade: ____
Always Normally Sometimes Rarely
3 pts
2 pts
1 pt
0 pts
Positive attitude toward learning,
grades and school.
Consistently puts forth effort in
doing work.
Demonstrates an appropriate level
of maturity.
Demonstrates willingness to work
with others.
Exhibits appropriate school
behavior.
Demonstrates a desire to learn.
Takes responsibility for his/her own
actions.
Approaches problem solving from a
unique perspective.
Demonstrates enthusiasm about a
variety of things.
Demonstrates a desire to be in the
program.
Positive parental support.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHOICE
Strong
Above
Average
Average
Below
Average
Study Skills
Shows aptitude for Math
Shows aptitude for language Arts
Potential for growth as a student
Please feel free to provide any Additional comments about the attributes you feel
this student has that will make him/her a successful AVID student. Use the other
side of this form to give your response.
AVID Recommendation Form
Teacher/Counselor
Student Name:__________________________________
Grade: _____________
Recommending Teacher/ Counselor: ________________________________________
Subject taught student: ______________
Please Check Your Choice
Year: ____
Grade: ____
Always Normally Sometimes Rarely
3 pts
2 pts
1 pt
0 pts
Positive attitude toward learning,
grades and school.
Consistently puts forth effort in
doing work.
Demonstrates an appropriate level
of maturity.
Demonstrates willingness to work
with others.
Exhibits appropriate school
behavior.
Demonstrates a desire to learn.
Takes responsibility for his/her own
actions.
Approaches problem solving from a
unique perspective.
Demonstrates enthusiasm about a
variety of things.
Demonstrates a desire to be in the
program.
Positive parental support.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHOICE
Strong
Above
Average
Average
Below
Average
Study Skills
Shows aptitude for Math
Shows aptitude for language Arts
Potential for growth as a student
Please feel free to provide any Additional comments about the attributes
you feel this student has that will make him/her a successful AVID student.
Use the other side of this form to give your response