The AVID program is returning to Fillmore Middle School for the first time in nearly ten years. AVID is an acronym for, “Advancement Via Individual Determination.” This program is designed to push college bound students to attend a 4-year university immediately after high school graduation. The program targets students in the academic middle who have a desire to attend college and the willingness to work hard. Often AVID students are the first in their family to attend college and many are from low-income households, but this is not a requirement for the program. AVID is presently operating in 3,500 schools in 45 states and 15 countries.
The program has been very successful at Fillmore High School, where Erin Moriarty and Paul Fitzgerald teach the elective courses. In the fall, Fillmore Middle School will once again offer the program to students. Scott Carroll and Heather Atwood are the AVID coordinators for the jump-started middle school program. Around 100 students will be enrolled in the program for the fall quarter in August. Middle School students in the program will be enrolled in honors level classes to prepare them for the rigorous course load at FHS and eventually at the university level.
The 7th and 8th grade AVID students at FMS have already been selected for the fall quarter. Recruitment for next year’s 6th grade AVID students will begin in the next couple weeks at all four elementary schools in the Fillmore Unified School District. The process for selection includes presentations to AVID candidates, student applications, and finally an interview by the AVID coordinators at FMS. The FMS AVID program is seeking business partners throughout the community who wish to participate in the successful program. Interested businesses or sponsors are urged to contact one of the site coordinators at Fillmore Middle School at 524-6070.