Classroom SPotlight: AVID

For those of you who don’t know what AVID is you may wonder what really goes on. The acronym A.V.I.D. means “Advancement Via Individual Determination” with the goal of preparing students for college ability and success. The course is meant for all students but was created to help the academic middle as well as the lower-income and minority student, or anyone without a college tradition in their families.

Here at Geyserville High school this year’s AVID is composed of Seniors and is also called the Senior Seminar. Students have learned many things; from preparing for high school graduation, to scheduling General Ed courses at the Junior College, to transfer to a UC or CSU. Along with college and scholarship applications, students who currently have not entered the work force have been working on their resumes and participating in mock-interviews, where they answered average interview questions while being filmed.

Right now these seniors have been preparing to apply for all sorts of financial aid, first applying for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), then researching the protocol of the Financial Aid Office for both the Santa Rosa Junior College and a four year university of their choice.

Next semester the class will be continuing to cover all components of financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans, and work study) and discussing support programs offered at Santa Rosa Junior College and various universities. AVID will also be preparing a presentation for the rest of the school about teen issues and community support to bring awareness to the students, who can help the community in many ways, not just Chamber dinners.

Tori Cordova