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Board hears AVID update: hundreds of college applications, growth in AP and dual‑enrollment
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Summary
District AVID leaders reported rising AVID enrollment, expanded AP/honors participation, increased dual‑enrollment with Cuesta College and hundreds of college applications submitted by AVID seniors; the community foundation is covering college‑application fees for AVID students.
District AVID staff told the board on Monday that AVID enrollment and college‑preparation activity have increased across the secondary schools, yielding more students taking AP/honors courses and more seniors applying to multiple universities.
Marcy Bridal and site coordinators described college field trips (Cal Poly, UCSB, UC Santa Cruz, Stanford), mock‑scholarship interviews and growth in AP and honors participation: district presenters said some sites have recorded double‑digit percentage increases in students taking advanced classes. "This year's seniors applied to 216 different universities," Kyle Harmon, AVID site coordinator at San Luis Obispo High School, told the board, and staff reported hundreds of college‑application submissions and rising numbers of acceptances.
AVID presenters emphasized the program’s role in removing financial barriers: the community foundation is paying for AP test fees and college‑application fees for AVID students, which staff said allows more students to apply to a wider set of campuses. AVID teachers also described classroom supports — grade checks, weekly tutorials, and cohort counseling — that help students stay on track academically.
Site teachers described student outcomes and activities. Jose Hernandez said Laguna AVID participation includes college trips and a growing seventh‑period elective that 44% of students used this year for electives or PE; Julia Taylor highlighted high levels of student engagement and anecdotal gains in attendance; Emily Cherry described dual‑enrolled AVID juniors earning Cuesta College units as part of their AVID curriculum.
Trustees asked how the district can reduce obstacles that prevent accepted students from attending four‑year colleges; AVID staff pointed to scholarship work and the foundation’s recent support as key to closing financial gaps. District and AVID leaders said they will continue expanding parental education and scholarship outreach to help more students enroll after admission.
