No, but this is what I've discerned from kids in the program. Pros: Develop study skills to help increase grades if you have a student that might normally be a B/C range or lower so they can increase to A/B, tour a few colleges, have tutoring help if needed. Cons: Missing out on a different elective. I don't think there are many cons to it, but then again we don't have any close friends in the program.

My nephew was in the program. He liked it. You hit the nail on the head with the con. It takes an elective spot. However, on that side of the family he was a first generation college student. Those are just the types of kids AVID works well for! He loved working with the tutors who were older students and he loved the skills he learned. He is just about to finish his sophomore year of college and is a A/B student in college with a C here or there. I don't remember his major. I think it is along the lines of one of the engineering fields.

Not worth losing an elective if the parents are capable of helping the student. Tutoring is available to all students, whether or not they are in AVID. I would not put my child in the program unless they have a severe academic struggle. Let them explore the electives so they can get a better idea of what they enjoy doing so they are not doing that in college when you are paying thousands for tuition!

@BusyMommy:Did you have a kid in AVID?At AMS parent night they specifically said it is a college prep course. I didn't go listen to their presentation, but a friend of mine said that the program was sold as being for above average kids, the best of the best, they're held to higher standards. Is this not accurate?

I have a daughter in the program currently and my other one has applied for next year. My husband does not have a college degree. I do. It is not just for first generation college students. Neither of my daughters were interested in the class at first since they both have never doubted going to college. But it is my oldest daughter's favorite class. They have tutors come who are college kids and retired teachers. They do projects about colleges where they have to research them. They have projects having them to think about their future and what all they want out of it (career, vehicle, house, where they want to live, etc.) very detailed. They tour 2 college campuses a year. They learn how to study. They learn skills that help them in their other classes. The students have to be in at least 1 Pre-Ap class. They have to sign a contract. They have to keep their grades up. It also helps them explore career options and look into things that interest them. Yes it takes the place of an elective but my husband and I feel it is an excellent class and we are thankful our daughter is in it and hoping our other daughter gets in as well. 98% of the graduating seniors from AHS who were in AVID were accepted into their first choice college. Oh and they also have a program where those who are in the class can become tutors for their peers before school, during lunch and after school.

@Sammee:Not at all. My kid is in pre-ap (which isn't as big of a deal as they make it seem-just look at the number of on level classes vs. pre-ap and you will see it really isn't for the "top" of the class) and in Honor Society, but not in AVID. I don't see the point of taking away an elective for something they don't need if they already have study skills. Really no point in going to colleges IMO if they aren't exploring what classes they enjoy by taking electives. There is plenty of time to think about colleges, but when you are 11 you should be thinking about what you like to do!

@BusyMommy:Where is this info? And, what is Honors Society and how does one join? I need the AMS For Dummies Guide. 😁

@Sammee: Pass it along when you receive a copy. I also need the AHS one.

@Sammee:
You can go on the school website and search by department and teachers and see how many on level classes and how many pre-ap ones there are.You can be selected for honor society having A averages in your core classes.

@BusyMommy:The college tours aren't a selling point for me, anyway. She's already been to a couple and will be adding MIT and Stanford to that list this year, as she has cousins attending those schools.

@BusyMommy:There's not a GT program in middle school, correct? We've been given zero information, so far.

@Sammee: Impressive. My kid needs to hang out with your kid.

@Palm Springs:Yeah, I hope her cousins' gumption rubs off on her! Then I hope we win the lotto to pay tuition to those schools.

@Sammee:I think they consider pre-ap like GT. But my child tells me there are 6 pre-ap classes and 12 on level classes in RELA (from what she has heard). Sorry, but if 1/3 of the students are in pre-ap that is not an advanced level. When we were in school only the top 5% in any subject were considered GT. Too much telling kids they are "gifted" makes reality hit them hard when they get to college!

@Sammee:If you look at the nation avid website they make it sound like it is for kids on the middle that could slip through the cracks.Best of the best would be programs like Honor Society . The best of the best shouldn't need help getting into college.