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AVID program showcased at Garden City Board meeting as staff outline impact on college and career readiness
Summary
Garden City educators and AVID students described stronger organization, note-taking and public-speaking skills and district data showing AVID elective students take more rigorous courses; administrators said expansion and teacher training are next steps.
Garden City Public Schools officials used Tuesday’s board meeting to highlight the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, presenting data and student testimony they say show gains in college- and career-readiness.
Dr. Duncan explained that AVID operates as a system driver across the district with an elective component for grades 7–12 and schoolwide instructional practices meant to increase rigor and student agency. She said 92% of AVID elective high-school students took at least one rigorous course last year compared with 82% schoolwide, and that 100% of current AVID high-schoolers are on a trajectory to meet four-year college entrance requirements compared with 75% schoolwide.
AVID teachers and students described classroom practices tied to those metrics. Lever Bernin, an AVID teacher who noted he has watched students progress from freshman through senior year, said the elective “helped me accomplish a lot of my goals” and praised the way AVID supports note-taking, collaboration and college visits. Student Sabrina Muny, one of multiple students who addressed the board, said AVID improved her organization and grades: “It helped me accomplish a lot of my goals … that’s the reason why I wanted to continue to do it in high school.” Another student, Ruth Rojos, said she had grown “more organized” and secured scholarships in part because of AVID supports.
Teachers described professional supports tied to AVID, including summer institutes, implementation specialists who provide coaching, and regional trainings. Tyler Gates and Becky Alexander, district instructional leaders, told the board they want to expand the elective and increase the high-school penetration rate (currently about 5% of the high school student population) to reach “demo school” status that would draw visiting educators.
Board members praised the students’ presentations and asked for follow-up on participation rates and outcomes. The district said it will continue to develop AVID pathways and align site teams and PLCs to scale instructional strategies.
The board received the presentation; no formal vote was required. The district said AVID remains part of its strategic plan and that staff will return with implementation details and participation goals.
