TJ’s AVID program is thriving and helping students do the same in their academic careers.
artwork by Luke DeGregori
Kim Holtmann coordinates the four year AVID program, helping to see that all AVID students receive the support and guidance they need to achieve academic success and get into the college of their choosing.
AVID is an acronym for Advancement Via Individual Determination. The academic support program is one class period per day that lasts all four high school years. “Freshmen and sophomores work on test taking and study habits, juniors on SAT/ACT prep, and seniors apply to colleges and for scholarships. AVID provides a whole lot of help in college prep to encourage students to attend college,” said Holtmann.
AVID students are selected for the program based on their work ethic and the lack of outside support systems. “We look for students who are really smart, but lack support. Basically we help them through high school in honors and AP classes. We look for students that hold a GPA between a 2.0 and a 3.5. The students we look for absolutely have to want to go to college,” said Holtmann.
The students in this four year program work hard to be where they are in AVID and in the other classes they take. “Students have to do the work themselves. I’ll teach them how to do it by introducing them to all available resources, like the future center or naviance, and by giving them the time they need. I check in with them frequently to see how they’re keeping up,” said Holtmann.
For many students in the program, AVID greatly improves upon their work ethic and study habits. “AVID has definitely given me better study habits and a way better attitude towards school. School is school and isn’t always fun, But AVID motivates you so you actually want to go and do well,” said Senior Alex Carter.
AVID, in addition to helping students in the classroom, encourages them to do what they’re interested in and branch out within the community. AVID has done several successful outreach programs, such as the sophomore AVID project that recently ended, the Mile High Seat Belt Challenge. “My senior AVID class raised money to send to Kiva, a micro financing organization for women in other countries around the world. They loan money to women to help them start their own businesses. We have sponsored eight women total so far, and are beginning to get our money reimbursed which we will then loan out again to other women,” said Holtmann.
AVID holds events throughout the year to celebrate the students’ accomplishments, to help out within the school, and to just have fun. “AVID loves to have fun. Twice a year we have a pool party and a Barbecue. We had breakfast for everyone before homecoming. We had an ice cream sundae party after parent teacher conferences. We also hold a yearly kick ball tournament,” said Holtmann.
AVID shows students how to balance their academic life without getting too stressed out in the process. Mrs. Holtmann’s senior AVID class takes a break seventh period on Fridays to have some fun and let go of some pressure from their school workloads. “One thing I love about AVID is the fun days we have. We have what we call ‘fun day Fridays.’ On these days we play games, mostly team bonding type games. That break is always nice to have on Fridays,” said Carter.
Holtmann reports that AVID is highly successful at helping kids do their best in high school and getting them into their ideal college. “AVID is a big commitment and the kids work hard to be here. 100% of AVID students take at least one AP class before they graduate. 100% of students in AVID have applied to a four year college and 100% have been accepted,” said Holtmann.
Holtmann has been teaching AVID for four years overall, this being her second year coordinating the program. “AVID is a nationally acknowledged program. I make sure all the national standards are met that we must accomplish to be nationally acknowledged as an AVID program,” said Holtmann.
Holtmann along with the other AVID teachers Jacquelyn Hudson-Raila, Mark Mallaney, and Tim Owens believe the program strengthens the students academically, better preparing them for college, and as a person. “AVID offers a sense of family inside the school. In the four years the students are in AVID, I love seeing how the kids change over the years. When they start in ninth grade they’re shy and timid. Now, as seniors, they’re confident and developed. Their confidence levels and sense of self becomes way more developed,” said Holtmann.
The students who are in AVID are greatly supported academically and strongly urged to attend college. AVID is designed to make college a reality through the encouragement and motivation that the program offers to them. “If you are not familiar with AVID, I suggest you get familiar with it. AVID truly helps you succeed in school and helps greatly toward college. AVID has definitely helped get me into college,” said Carter.
