Osseo schools highlight AVID program growth from elementary through middle school

Edinbrook Elementary and Maple Grove Middle School staff and students presented the district board with an overview of their AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program and its classroom practices, emphasizing organization, collaboration and student goal-setting.

The presentation, led by Dr. Brian Bass, assistant superintendent of equity and achievement, described AVID as a district-wide effort. “We are excited to share and showcase the work happening with AVID, advancement via individual determination,” Bass said as he introduced teams from both schools.

Why it matters: School leaders said AVID is intended to build students’ organizational and academic habits early so they enter secondary school ready for rigorous coursework. At Edinbrook, staff noted AVID is delivered to all students at the elementary level rather than as an elective; at Maple Grove Middle School staff described a mix of AVID Launch (a sixth-grade onboarding trimester) and elective sections for seventh and eighth grades.

At Edinbrook Elementary, Principal Krueger described AVID as an integrated, school-wide practice and noted the site’s national recognition: the school has been an AVID site for years and “we are nationally recognized 4 years running,” Krueger said. Staff from Edinbrook said the elementary approach emphasizes WICR strategies (writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, reading), with a particular focus this year on collaboration and organization. Teachers provide students color-coded notebooks and planners, use graphic organizers and structured note-taking, and run family-engagement events tied to AVID learning.

Maple Grove Middle School AVID coordinator Julia Fromm described program scale and outcomes at her site: “At any given time, there are over 275 students in AVID at Maple Grove Middle School. A 120 of them are in my elective courses in seventh and eighth grade. And then there's about a 150 in AVID Launch per trimester.” Fromm said the program aims to create a culture of literacy and belonging at a developmental period she called “emotionally turbulent.” She added, “over 85 percent of AVID eighth graders choose at least 1 advanced placement course in ninth grade.” (Fromm said that 85% figure is a conservative, low-end estimate based on cohort tracking.)

Maple Grove principal Xavier Reed, appearing by video, described his recent training and visits to AVID classrooms and said he valued seeing WICR strategies in action.

Students from both schools described concrete benefits. Fifth grader Isabella Flynn told the board, “AVID has had a very positive impact on my life at Edinbrook. It has helped me become more organized, feel more connected to school and build my confidence.” Middle school AVID students also described gains in confidence, organization, and future planning. “AVID taught me that goal setting and planning aren't just about getting good grades. They're also about making decisions that will help me achieve my dreams,” one student said.

Board response and capacity constraints: Board members praised the presentations and asked about demand and capacity. When asked whether every student who applies to the Maple Grove AVID elective can be admitted, Fromm said there is not room for all applicants and that the site has a waiting list of about 40 students. “Based on how FTE funding happens, there's only room right now for me to teach 4 elective sections,” Fromm said, adding that the site uses a lottery to allocate limited spots equitably.

Program context and next steps: Presenters said Edinbrook became a Title I school this year, and staff highlighted family events scheduled throughout the year (including fall family engagement activities and a literacy night in January). Board members expressed support for continued investment in AVID and noted interest in expanding seats where possible.

Student- and parent-supplied data and testimonials were included in the presentation, and speakers invited board members to visit classrooms to observe AVID strategies in action. The presentation concluded with an invitation for board members to see AVID lessons in person and continued discussion of expansion opportunities.