My DD is in her 2nd of year of AVID, she's NJHS as well. All Pre-AP classes with all A's and 1 high B. She enjoys AVID. She comes home talking about the different careers, colleges, etc. She knows more about that stuff than I do. AVID is helping her explore the many careers and colleges out there.

@butterflykissesHas she said how the note taking and test prep aspect of the program is? Is she learning helpful methods that she didn't already implement? Does she take advantage of the tutoring? I understand that pre-AP classes do not have after-school tutoring available from the teachers, is that correct? My DD will be taking all pre-AP and I have no clue what to expect regarding class load and help for challenging concepts.

My kids were both signed up for all pre-ap classes. We skipped it on dd who went to public school and ds we opted to go to private school. In all honesty the pre-ap and ap classes don't really get you anywhere unless you are in the top 10%.

@Fiona:
Pre-AP/AP/honors courses give you a higher GPA. Humble ISD uses 5. scale to graduate, being in those type of classes get you that 5. GPA. It also challenges students, I know it does my DD she would be bored to death in on level classes. The higher courses aren't for all students.

@sammeeI believe with her being in AVID it's pushing her to be more interested in going to college and having a great career. They do a lot of cornell notes. It's teaching her about life after high school and getting her prepared.

GS was in the program. Not sure it helped his high school grades any, but apparently taught him lessons in time management. Currently on a fellowship grant towards a PHD in engineering at a top university.

@tflea:
Yes he was in the first year that they came out with that program .And I think I remember he was perhaps a Jr in high school Or maybe a senior ,I just remember him saying it taught him HOW to study & be organized .

@butterflykisses:Yes I know. When they get to college only the 4. scale applies. For auto acceptance you have to be in the top 10% granted you will have to do AP to actually be in the top 10%. I knew for my dd it would not benefit her to be working the mother load.

@Fiona With my DD being in AVID it's pushing her to start looking at colleges she wants to go to now being in middle school. And she's pushing to be in top 10% if not higher! As of now and for the past year or so, her mind is set on Baylor, studying law to be a lawyer.

@butterflykisses:That is awesome. I certainly wasn't trying to be ugly about the program it was just my honest opinion. Best of luck to your dd! I know that for my dd top 10 wasn't happening she was a A-B student but she did that without studying and did not turn in all her homework. I knew for sure AP classes would be to overwhelming for her.

As far as the Pre-AP and On Level classes go for middle school....The elementary school teachers recommend what your child should take in middle school but ultimately it is the parents decision. You can put your child in all Pre-AP or some even if they were not recommended for it. If they are not receiving high enough grades then the school will move them down to On Level classes. The only Pre-AP class that is really a big difference is in Math. There is tutoring available by the teachers whether you are in Pre-AP or On Level. Each teacher has specific tutoring times but you can go to any teacher for help. The only teacher my daughter has had that doesn't do tutoring is in Math because he is also a coach and is unavailable before and after school. He provided Youtube videos and recommends tutoring with the other teachers if you need it.The issue with AVID taking place of an elective isn't really a big deal to my daughter since she isn't very interested in the electives the school has to offer to begin with. It has really helped her with time management and learning how to study. In elementary school she was not taught how to study. She was taught how to show up to school and take a test and get a good grade because she was there and turned her work in. AVID is showing her how to get the most out of her classes when she has reading assignments and to know what to look for to find the important items. Once she started doing that and regularly reviewing what she did in her classes each day, her already good grades went up and have stayed up. She hasn't struggled with any of the new concepts yet and is finding them to be easy. I am glad she is in the program and I think it is a great program but it also isn't right for everyone. If you really want to know more about it I would talk with Ms. Medina or Ms. Batiste and go from there.

@Sammee : avid makes me want to kill myself

@dwfegrhtj : I assume you are a student. What don't you like about it?

My girls were bored in basic courses. The AVID program was just what they needed.

@BusyMommy: Although I am 2 years late, I would like to share my opinion. AVID is not just about study skills, we are taught skills that could be used anywhere at any time in life. In AVID we focus on the growth of writing, inquiry, collaboration/cooperation, organization, and reading. AVID's mission is closing the achievement gap, preparing all students for college readiness and success. I do agree that AVID is not for everyone, it's for students willing to contribute hard work with the desire to attend college. At the moment, I am a student at an Early College High School where avid is a required elective. I found the class pointless in the beginning, and I thought that students should be able to study in their own way. Within the first semester, I was able to see how everything is incredibly effective. I believe AVID is a great choice, for anyone willing to take the class.