Advancement Via Individual Determination Mission

AVID's mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.

• AVID's new mission statement succinctly reflects the expansion of AVID to include our AVID Elementary and AVID Postsecondary initiatives, enabling even more students to achieve their dreams of earning a college degree and/or becoming productive members of our global society.
• The recently updated mission statement still reflects AVID's core purpose, and our focus remains the same – ensuring college readiness for all students.

AVID's mission is...

Our mission is student-focused, but our work transforms the behaviors and expectations of the teachers who support the AVID student. Our mission centers on the goals our students set out to achieve.

...to close the achievement gap

At AVID, we seek to close the achievement gap by improving the performance of all students, especially those who have not traditionally succeeded in completing college entrance requirements: students who are underrepresented in four-year colleges and universities, students in the academic middle, students who are the first in their family to go to college.

...by preparing all students

A common misconception about AVID is that we focus solely on minority and low-income students. Not at all! AVID is a college readiness system that starts in elementary school. We have a schoolwide approach for elementary grades where AVID is available to ALL students. In middle and high school, we target a core population of students who enroll in an AVID elective class. As the system takes root in secondary schools, AVID gradually expands schoolwide to serve all students. AVID Postsecondary continues to support students in their efforts to earn a college degree by developing the skills needed to persist in college.

...for college readiness

Because AVID provides students with a clearly defined and delineated road map, they gain the confidence needed to pursue their dreams of college. AVID prepares students for the rigors of college, and provides them with academic skills, content knowledge, and social adaptability needed for college success.

...and success in a global society.

The AVID system empowers students by instilling in them the academic and social skills needed to successfully complete college and become responsible participants and leaders in our global society.

AVID is a program designed to help students in the middle prepare for and succeed in colleges and universities. Students in the program commit themselves to improvement and preparation for college. AVID offers a rigorous program of instruction in academic “survival skills” and college level entry skills. The AVID program teaches the student how to study, read for content, take Cornell notes, and manage time. Students participate in collaborative study groups or tutorials led by tutors who use skillful questioning to bring students to a higher level of understanding.

Service Learning Manual (see pg. 14 for the Service Learning Log)

-click here-

AVID Senior Scholarships

Senior awards are given to students who have been in the AVID program for a minimum of 3 years.  Students must meet the basic requirements and the individual requirements of each unique award.  Senior teachers will decide which students should receive the awards.  Nominations will be shared with the AVID elective teacher team and counselors. 

Basic requirements:

• 3-4 year participation in AVID (high school level)
• 3.1 cumulative academic GPA
• A-G requirements completed
• AP class and completed an AP test
• No N’s – U’s 
• Applied to a 4-year college
• Received an Acceptance Letter and have completed their Letter of Intent for college
• Have taken the SAT or ACT
• Completed the FAFSA and Cal Grant or AB540

*Award recipients must write a Thank You letter to Millikan's, the Superintendent, the LACOE coach, and Millikan's school principals BEFORE CHECKS WILL BE ISSUED.

Are you A-G ready?