Advancement Via Individual Determination

The AVID Program is an exciting initiative at Pius XI High School. It’s a national program in almost 5,000 schools, designed for students who have solid standardized test scores but who aren’t working up to their potential in the classroom. Through this program we are offering the AVID elective class for students who would like to prepare for four-year universities. It is a year-long course offered for one credit. In the AVID elective class students learn how to be better writers and readers so they’re prepared for college. They learn to study more effectively. Studies have shown AVID students’ motivation increases significantly. Carefully screened college students come to the classroom as tutors twice a week. The students take field trips to universities in the area. If you think the AVID elective class would be a good fit for your son or daughter, please contact Laurie Ellis, District Director and AVID Elective teacher or Ms. Betty Hunt, Interim Principal. 

AVID site team

Laurie Ellis, District Director and AVID Teacher

Betty Hunt, Administrator
Jason Gonzalez, AVID Elective Teacher

Michelle Klotz, AVID Elective Teacher 

Becky White, AVID Technology

Renee Lindsey, AVID English

Rick Carpenter, AVID Social Science

Patty Hupfer Riedel, AVID Science

AVID Objectives

• To provide academic instruction and other support to students, and to prepare them for entrance into four-year colleges and universities.
• To give students college entry skills by helping them get organized and improving their academic performance
• To increase the ‘coping skills’ of program participants by giving them support while guiding their educational path with academic advice and full awareness of college requirements
• To motivate students to seek a college education
• To increase the participants’ levels of career awareness

AVID Activities

• Learning with college tutors twice a week to improve grades in other classes
• Writing skills for all classes: vocabulary, proofreading skills, essays, timed writing for standardized tests, note-taking skills, research skills, and speaking skills
• Developing success strategies through note-taking skills, organization and time management strategies
• Participating in extra curricular activities and community activities to prepare for college applications and to gain awareness of diverse career paths