AVID

In 2008, Greenwich Alliance for Education made its first investment in the AVID College Readiness Framework to help it get started and fully implemented at Greenwich High School. AVID’s positive results at GHS, led to further investments to bring it to Central and Western Middle Schools and, most recently, to Hamilton Avenue Elementary School.

A Proven, National, Game Changing Framework for Underserved Students

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a national college and career readiness framework with over 45 years of proven success. AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness in a global society. AVID identifies students in the academic middle who have great academic potential.

AVID delivers a demanding college-prep curriculum and facilitates student involvement in extracurricular activities. The AVID framework empowers all students to take ownership of their learning, prepare for tomorrow and become leaders.

The formula is simple – raise expectations of students and with the AVID support system, they will rise to the challenge. Over time, AVID’s impact is felt school-wide, as passionate teachers use the strategies gained from AVID professional training in all their classrooms.

AVID Student Profile

AVID Students Possess Drive, Discipline and Perseverance

Academic Middle: C to B overall GPA, average test scores
Demonstrated Potential: desire and individual determination to work hard, good attendance record, strong teacher recommendations
Historically Underserved in Four-Year Colleges & Universities: typically first generation in family to attend college, often from families where English is second language and/or in the low socio-economic range

GPS AVID Timeline

Alliance Initiates AVID Implementation As Key Gap Closing Strategy … And Our Commitment Continues

Funded by an Alliance Reaching Out Grant, AVID launches as a full-credit elective at Greenwich High School
2013: AVID expands to Central Middle School through additional Reaching Out Grant funding
2013: First AVID class (known as the “Sweet Sixteen”) graduates from GHS
2013: The Alliance establishes its Mentoring and Scholarship programs to support GHS AVID graduates
2014: Proven success – GHS AVID program opens two sections starting with Class of 2018
2015: Investment continues with expansion to Western Middle School
2019: WMS selects AVID School-wide as its magnet theme
2020: The Alliance launches a new initiative, AVID SUCCESS (which includes AVID Extensions), to centralize and grow its AVID-related support activities
2022: AVID SUCCESS expands Good Money Habits, Mentoring, Alumni Engagement and Jobs & Professional Tools
2023: The Alliance hosts “THE Party” celebrating 10 years of college dreams for GPS AVID graduates
2024: AVID SUCCESS launches Transition to College (T2C) for first generation AVID college students
2025/2026: AVID expands to its first elementary school, Hamilton Avenue, supported by a Reaching Out Grant from the Alliance

Emily O’Connor
AVID and Spanish Teacher

“After my first year teaching AVID, I can honestly say that I’ve found a role that has me feeling energized and inspired.

I’m excited to be both a teacher and a mentor as I support students throughout their four-year high school journey, helping them thrive in rigorous classes, develop self-advocacy skills, and navigate the college process alongside their families, many of whom are experiencing it for the first time.

What makes AVID especially meaningful is that it truly feels like a family, with an incredible community of educators, tutors, volunteers, and supporters who invest their time and expertise in our students’ success. That sense of purpose has also carried over into my Spanish classroom, reminding me that while content matters, teaching students the skills and confidence they need to succeed in school and beyond is even more rewarding.”

AVID at Hamilton Avenue School

Hamilton Avenue School is an AVID school.
Teachers use WICOR® (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading) strategies to promote higher-level thinking and lifelong learning.
Educators collaborate to build students’ organization, goal-setting, and self-advocacy skills.
AVID practices are aligned within and across grade levels to provide a cohesive learning experience.

AVID at Western and Central Middle Schools

Western Middle School is an AVID Schoolwide Site.
One 7th-grade and one 8th-grade AVID Elective class.
AVID Elective builds academic skills, college and career readiness, and student agency.
Schoolwide AVID strategies strengthen study and organizational skills.
Central Middle School offers 7th- and 8th-grade AVID Elective classes.
AVID promotes family engagement to support student success.

AVID at Greenwich High School (GHS)

AVID Elective classes are offered in grades 9–12, with two sections per grade serving approximately 160 students.
AVID teachers stay with the same cohort of students throughout their four years of high school.
The program expands access to rigorous coursework and helps students reach their full academic potential.
AVID builds college and career readiness by fostering a college-going culture and developing essential career skills.
Since 2013, nearly 100% of AVID graduates have been accepted to college.

Greenwich Alliance funds additional extensions to the AVID program in the schools.

AVID Extensions