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Falcon Creek, Laredo earn AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction designation
Falcon Creek and Laredo middle schools have earned the AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction designation for demonstrating outstanding commitment to students. This distinction:
• Illustrates a commitment to equity and opportunity for all students on a campus.
• Acknowledges rigorous academic opportunities for all students throughout the campus.
• Shows a commitment to superb instruction practices across the school.
“The AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction designation is an acknowledgement of our dedication to meeting the variety of needs of all of our students,” said Alan Lavizzo, principal at Falcon Creek Middle School.
AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a program designed to increase schoolwide learning and performance. Teachers receive AVID training and students can take an AVID elective class, which uses writing as a tool of learning, inquiry method and collaborative grouping. The three main components of the program are academic instruction, tutorial support and motivational activities.
The focus of AVID is to ensure that all students, and most especially the least-served students in the middle, are capable of completing a college preparatory path, can succeed in rigorous curriculum, will enter mainstream activities of the school, increase their enrollment in four-year universities and colleges, and become educated and responsible participants in a democratic society.
“We know that the strategies, habits of mind and skills taught in the AVID elective class are tremendously beneficial for all students,” Lavizzo added. “Our staff has demonstrated a commitment to transforming instructional practices and utilizing AVID methodology in their classrooms in order to have a positive impact on student learning as they continually prepare our students for college and career readiness.”
Lavizzo said that as a result of implementing AVID on a schoolwide basis, more than 60% of Falcon Creek‘s eighth graders have taken at least one higher level course. Sheila Graham, acting principal at Laredo Middle School, said that they are seeing similar
“The intentional, ongoing focus Laredo has made in training teachers to identify and work effectively with AVID students has resulted in positive student growth and progress,” Graham said. “Our students are putting forth notable effort to achieve challenging goals and prepare themselves to be life-long learners.
“It’s wonderful to see our AVID students’ confidence soar and watch them actively engage in their learning,” she added. “We are proud to have been recognized as an AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction as it is testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers and students.”
Dr. Sandy Mason, AVID Coordinator for Cherry Creek Schools, said the AVID college and career readiness system has been transformational for students and staff at Falcon Creek and Laredo.
“Both schools’ administrators and staff greatly value the mission and philosophies of the national AVID program criteria, which is centered on achieving student success with high expectations,” Mason said. “AVID teachers are committed to AVID professional learning. Their beliefs about teaching and learning shift from delivering content to facilitating learning, resulting in an inquiry-based, student-centric classroom, allowing them to cultivate a growth mindset.”
AVID is offered at every middle and high school in the Cherry Creek School District and Eaglecrest High School is an AVID National Demonstration School. Get more information about AVID in Cherry Creek Schools.