Greeley Evans School District 6 on Oct. 13 told the school board that expanded access to AVID, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes has increased college- and career-readiness for students across the district.

District leaders presented enrollment and outcome data and described steps to increase participation while maintaining supports for multilingual learners and students with individualized education plans. The presentation said AVID is in 8 secondary and 16 elementary schools, AP enrollment is 1,899 students this fall, and Greeley West has sharply increased IB course participation under a co-teaching model.

Assistant Superintendent Anthony Alsmas told the board the district has worked to remove barriers so “more students have access to advanced opportunities to make sure every student in this district graduates career and college ready.” Lisa McGee, the district’s K–12 English language arts and AVID coordinator, said AVID “teaches the academic skills, behaviors, and mindset that will allow [students] to succeed in rigorous courses and beyond.” McGee reported that 16% of district high school students and 78% of elementary students are served through AVID structures and that AVID seniors in 2024–25 achieved a 100% on‑time graduation rate.

Bridget Koehler, assistant principal and former IB coordinator at Greeley West, described an intentional shift to make the school “an IB school” rather than a single‑program option. She credited a co‑teaching model for serving a broader population: Greeley West reported 737 students enrolled in at least one diploma‑program course, including 313 multilingual learners (42% of those enrolled) and 72 students with IEPs. Koehler said 140 students earned college-credit–equivalent scores (4 or above) on IB exams last year.

Kim Silva, director of schools, outlined AP programming across district high schools and noted the mill levy override funds the district uses to pay AP exam fees so families are not charged. Silva said the district recorded 254 AP awards in 2025 (some students earned more than one award), 18 students completed AP Seminar and AP Research, and 12 earned the AP Capstone diploma.

Colorado Teacher of the Year Steven Paulson, who teaches AP and AVID, described how beginning rigorous coursework earlier — including offering AP human geography to some ninth graders — builds students’ skill and confidence. Paulson said AVID students at his school took AP and concurrent‑enrollment coursework at higher rates than the general senior class, and “the work we’re doing is helping them not only take the class, but pass it at the same rate as their peers.” Student speaker Isaac Beitler, an AVID senior at Greeley Central, said AVID tutorials, notebook checks and peer tutoring built his leadership and study skills and helped him pass multiple AP exams.

District presenters said next steps include continuing the Greeley West diploma program expansion, increasing AP enrollment, maintaining co‑teaching supports for English learners and students with IEPs, and sustaining funding for exam fees and teacher training. Superintendent Dr. Michael Pilch and staff urged the board to continue advocating for state funding, noting training and exam costs are significant and that the district currently covers AP and IB exam fees.

Board members praised the data and asked for plans to expand AVID participation beyond the current elective model while protecting its targeted supports. Several trustees asked for continued focus on staff retention, early‑grade literacy assessment choices and targeted coaching in buildings showing gains.