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Wellington Middle School is AVID Demonstration School, 2013-2019! 

Wellington Middle School News:

In addition to being named a National and Colorado School to Watch as well as a National Green Ribbon School, Wellington Middle School was redesignated a national AVID Demonstration School by the AVID Demonstration School Validation Team in November, 2016.   “National AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is pleased to welcome Wellington Middle School as an International AVID Demonstration School, validated from 2013-2019. Through purposeful design, the principal, coordinator, site team and all staff have implemented AVID school-wide with quality and fidelity.  A history of sustainable excellence and high levels of academic growth has allowed Wellington Middle School to excel in all areas.  Congratulations to all Wellington staff, students and our entire community!  High expectations and college readiness permeates the classrooms, the hallways, and, as the staff describes it, it is “the Wellington Way!”

What is an AVID Demonstration School?

• An AVID Demonstration School exhibits a college-readiness culture that is evident through rigor and high expectations for all students.

• A Demonstration Site models the 11 Essentials at a high level and with great fidelity to the AVID System.  See AVID.org

• The core AVID Elective is exemplary, with excellent tutorials and quality implementation of the AVID curriculum.

• There is evidence of the AVID impact schoolwide, particularly with the infusion of AVID WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading) methodologies in the content areas that goes beyond academic binders and Cornell focused (split page) note taking.

What are the Roles, Responsibilities, and Purpose of a Demonstration School?

• Demonstrates AVID schoolwide - A Professional Learning Center

• Provides evidence that AVID Certification promotes a cycle of continuous improvement

• Demonstrates leadership in working with the District, State, and Division Director and AVID Center International

• Functions as a model for excellent classroom tutorials and quality implementation of the AVID curriculum

• Exemplifies how a highly effective and active Site Team with administrative involvement impacts student achievement

What is AVID?

AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness system for elementary through higher education that is designed to increase schoolwide learning and performance. The AVID College Readiness System (ACRS) accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional learning, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change.

“While others talk about what should be done to prepare students for college, AVID is doing it. For more than 30 years, the AVID College Readiness System has helped thousands of students, many of whom are overlooked and underserved, rise above the obstacles they face to achieve academic success.”

History

AVID began in 1980 by Mary Catherine Swanson, then-head of the English department at San Diego's Clairemont High School. The federal courts issued an order to desegregate the city's schools, bringing large numbers of inner city students to suburban schools. While applauding the decision, Swanson wondered how these underserved students would survive at academically acclaimed Clairemont High.

Her answer was AVID, an academic elective. But it's more than a program - it's a philosophy: Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge.

Today

Beginning with one high school and 32 students, AVID now impacts more than 700,000 students in more than 4,900 schools and 28 postsecondary institutions in 46 states, the District of Columbia and across 16 other countries/territories. The AVID College Readiness System spans elementary through higher education.  Although AVID serves all students, the AVID elective focuses on the least served students in the academic middle.  The formula is simple - raise expectations of students and, with the AVID support system in place, they will rise to the challenge. What distinguishes AVID from other educational reform programs is its continuous success rate. Of the 33,204 AVID seniors in 2012 who reported their demographics, academic achievement data and future plans, just over 98 percent indicated they would be graduating from high school, with 90 percent planning to attend a postsecondary institution: 58 percent to a four-year college and 32 percent to a two-year institution. Seventy-three percent reported taking at least one rigorous course, such as AP®, IB® or Cambridge®, with 61 percent taking the corresponding exam. Additionally, Hispanic/Latino and African American/Black AVID students take AP tests at rates that exceed their peers (AVID Hispanic/Latino - 57 percent, U.S. overall Hispanic/Latino - 14 percent; AVID African American/Black -14 percent, U.S. overall African American/Black - 8 percent)

Policymakers and school administrators now consider AVID an essential strategy for closing the achievement gap and making the college dream accessible to all students.Wellington Middle School is proud to be named an AVID Demonstration School.  This distinction allows our school to reflect the high ideals of an international program of merit. 

There are five other demonstration schools in Colorado in addition to Wellington Middle School of the over 4,500 AVID schools nationwide, in Cherry Creek (3), Adams County (1) and Weld County (1). 

Information is from the AVID.org website and Wellington Middle School.

A.V.I.D. Is Going Strong at WMS!

Advancement Via Individual Determination (A.V.I.D.) is going great!  We have full 7th and 8th grade classes and have started a 6th grade "Middle School Survival Skills" class that is very popular!   The mission of A.V.I.D. is to increase school wide learning and performance.  It is to ensure that all students, most especially the least served students in the academic middle, are capable of completing a college path.   Our A.V.I.D. teachers are Ms. Zittergruen, Ms. Holman, Mr. Brooks, and Mrs. Orswell.  

The A.V.I.D. student profile is average to high test scores, 2.5-3.5 G.P.A., college potential, and desire and determination to succeed.  A student must also fit one of the following criteria:  first in family to attend college, low income or have special circumstances that make them the perfect candidate for A.V.I.D.  Since 1990, more than 30,000 students have graduated from A.V.I.D. programs nationwide-98% received acceptance to a 2 or 4 year college and 89% of those who started are in college two years later.  Students must interview every year for acceptance. 

PSD does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran status, age or disability in access or admission to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. A lack of English speaking skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation.