How AVID helps teens go to college
College readiness for students in Community High School District 94 is a priority. One program that has a proven track record of success is our AVID program, for Advancement Via Individual Determination.
AVID is offered at West Chicago Community High School for students in all four grades who are motivated to go to a four-year university at the completion of high school. AVID students are average to above-average, and with a little support can excel in honors and Advanced Placement courses. This support includes note taking, test preparation, tutorials, organization and study strategies.
This year, 212 students are enrolled in our AVID program. In addition to academic work, throughout the year AVID students participate in community service, visit college campuses, and help promote going to college throughout West Chicago Community High School.
This year we have 35 seniors in the AVID program. These students are realizing the benefits of all of their hard work throughout high school as evidenced by the following data through first semester:
• 63 completed applications to four-year universities;
• 42 acceptance letters to four-year universities;
• 15 applications still awaiting decisions;
• 100 percent of AVID seniors have postsecondary education plans; and
• $879,000 scholarship money awarded.
"To earn nearly 1 million dollars in scholarship money during the first semester is amazing," said Nick Kempski, site coordinator and AVID teacher. "It has been a great year thus far, and the work is far from over, but I am extremely proud of what these students have accomplished. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for all of our AVID students."
In addition to the college success, AVID students throughout the program are increasing their AP and honors courses, volunteering in the community with the mobile food pantry, and getting involved in extracurricular activities at our school.
The entire AVID teaching team - including elective teachers Mia Wirth, Kelly Hall and Mark Poulterer, program assistant Michelle Lech and Director of Support Services Maura Bridges - work tirelessly to help these students succeed.
Students at West Chicago Community High School interested in the AVID program must have counselor approval to enroll. This is the only program offered at the school that focuses on "middle-level students," helping them rise to the next level, with the overall goal being admittance into a four-year university after high school.
Our success with this program is evident, and we look forward to helping move students to a college-bound future for many years to come.
More information on AVID can be found at d94.org/avid.
• Doug Domeracki is superintendent of West Chicago Community High School District 94. His column runs monthly in Neighbor during the school year.