Palos Verdes High School

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CEEB Code: 052358 PVPUSD

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

Coordinator: Cari Secrist
Room: 410
310-378-8471 Ext. 43710
[email protected]

AVID Parent Information Sessions
 
  • Monday, 1/12 at 6:00pm in the PAC at Peninsula High
  • Wednesday, 1/14 at 6:00pm in the MPR at Palos Verdes High
 
We encourage all interested parents AND students to attend.
 
 
Advancement Via Individual Determination 
2026 Recruitment Dates 
 
Introduction to the AVID program at all PVPUSD middle schools:  Thursday January 8th  

Evening Informational Meetings: AVID Coordinators from both high schools provide a detailed overview of the AVID program and answer any questions. Attendance at one of the following meetings is mandatory to apply to be in AVID.
Monday 1/12 6:00 PM @ Peninsula High School PAC  
Wednesday 1/14 6:00 PM @ Palos Verdes High School MPR
 
AVID at Each High School’s Open House – Come See Us!    
Peninsula High Open House 1/8, 6:00 to 8:00 – AVID will be in room H44 
PV High Open House 1/22, 6:00 to 8:00 – AVID will be in Sea King Park 

Applications Due Friday 2/6:   
On Wednesday 1/14, a link to the digital application will be posted on the AVID page of each high school’s website.  Each high school has a separate application, and students may ONLY apply to one high school’s AVID program.    
       
AVID Interviews: On February 11, 12 & 13, the AVID teams at each high school will interview applicants during the regular school day at each middle school.  Students who submitted an application will be called out of class for their interview.
PVHS Interviews -
February 11h (Wednesday), 9:00-12:30 @ PVIS 
February 12th (Thursday), 9:00-12:30 @ Miraleste 
February 13th (Friday), 9:00-12:30 @Ridegecrest 
Advancement Via Individual Determination
 
Welcome to the PVHS AVID Page! At PVHS, we are passionate about AVID and are always looking for students to join our wonderful AVID team!
 
AVID is a 4-year high school program for students in the academic middle who want to improve their performance in school through structured support and guidance. AVID is NOT for straight "A" students in middle school or for students who are receiving many Ds and Fs in Middle School.  It is a 4-year program for students who earned Bs and Cs (and sometimes As) but have the ability, the potential, and the desire to do better with academic coaching and support.  For more information about the AVID program, please scroll towards the bottom of this page past this recruitment/application information. 
AVID Clearance Process for Parents & Students
 
Step 1: Complete the online portion at AthleticClearance.com
Follow this Link: https://www.homecampus.com/login
   - Return Users: Log into existing account used in previous School Year.
   - New Users: Create an account. Register with a valid PARENT/GUARDIAN email address as the username and generate a password.
     ❖ Select “Start Clearance Here” to start the process.
     ❖ Choose Palos Verdes as the school.
     ❖ Choose “School Year 2024-2025”
     ❖ Add your sport or activity- AVID.
Note: Participating in multiple sports? Use Add New Sport button. Students participating in multiple sports will have to create clearances for each sport and turn in a separate Confirmation/Signature Form for each.
     ❖ Complete all required fields (Student Information, Medical History, Parent/Guardian Info, Signatures, and Forms).
AVID DOES NOT need to complete a physical. That is only for athletes.
     ❖ Upon completing all fields PRINT the Confirmation Message including the
Signature Page. Make sure print and sign your copy before you return it to PVHS.
 
Step 2: Go to the GoFan website, set up an account and pay for your fall activities and sports here:
https://gofan.co/event/1539059?schoolId=CA67140
You can scroll down to AVID and make your donation. AVID requests a $125 donation.

Step 3: Bring your SIGNED CONFIRMATION/SIGNATURE PAGE to the Student Store and/or the PVHS Athletic Office. Both locations will accept your form.
When you have done that, you are finished clearing.

Need help and/or want a confirmation that you’ve been cleared on the Home Campus database? Contact PVHS AVID 9 teacher, Shellie Parkinson: [email protected]

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)

PVHS AVID
AVID is a program targeting the academic middle students. It serves approximately 13% of the PVHS student body. The PVHS AVID program recruits 8th grade students with a grade point average (GPA) range of 2.5 to 3.2 who have the desire to attend college with a commitment to work hard. These students have the capability of completing a rigorous curriculum. In middle school, however, they fall short of this potential. 

 

The AVID program increases rigor by providing a challenging curriculum, teaching study skills, and organization, as well as offering academic support. As a result, students in the PVHS AVID program maintain an average GPA of 3.5.

 

AVID Curriculum
AVID students are encouraged to enroll in the most rigorous classes. They are given the goal of enrolling in at least 1 honors course by sophomore year and 1 AP course by senior year. In the 2019-2020 academic year, 35% of AVID 9 students are enrolled in at least 1 honors or AP course, while AVID 10 has 47%, AVID 11 has 71% and AVID 12 has 83% enrolled in at least 1 honors or AP course. 

 

The AVID elective class that meets every other day on the block schedule. The college readiness curriculum is driven by the WICOR method: writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading. College test preparation is emphasized in the freshman, sophomore, and junior curriculum. Students prepare for the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), and American College Test (ACT) in AVID with the support of outside test preparation companies such as Blue Train Tutoring and Study Hut Tutoring. 

 

College research is integral to the curriculum. The AVID elective team organizes two college visits per year. These trips are open to all AVID students. The AVID curriculum includes student research and presentations on diverse colleges. The AVID 10 curriculum includes Road Trip Nation, a career exploration program. In addition, the AVID 11 and AVID 12 curriculums focus on preparing college applications, letters of recommendation, writing personal statements/ college entrance essays and researching scholarship opportunities. All AVID 12 students are expected to take either the SAT or ACT as well as submit at least one 4-year university application.

 

AVID Faculty
One key to a successful AVID program is a site coordinator/teacher who works well with the faculty, the staff, and the tutors. The site coordinator and the AVID elective teachers strive to meet the needs of the students by coordinating AVID methodology school wide, organizing the AVID curriculum and activities, and placing students on a college preparatory curriculum. The AVID elective team guides the students through the college application process.

 

AVID Tutor
Tutors are essential to the success of the AVID elective class because they aid students accessing rigorous curriculum. 

 

The tutors (college students and graduates) receive formal training from the AVID District Director. As a result, they are well-qualified and excellent role models for students in the AVID program. The tutors serve as mentors to small groups of students in each AVID class. Through this mentor relationship, the tutor provides one-on-one monitoring and coaching of each student. Additionally, AVID elective teachers and tutors also offer study hall the weekend before semester finals.

 

AVID Parent
AVID parents support their students by encouraging academic achievement. They participate in site team meetings, as well as maintain regular contact with the elective teachers and the AVID coordinator. AVID family events draw many parents and students to participate.

 

AVID Site Team
AVID elective teachers, administrators, counselors, content teachers, students, parents, and tutors make up the site team. The site team meets monthly to evaluate and make improvements to the AVID program. Additionally, the team works to ensure annual certification.

 

AVID Student Support
The AVID elective teacher and counselor monitor the students’ four-year plans, ensuring that every AVID student meets the A-G requirements, are on track for four-year university admittance and complete at least one 4-year university application.

Teachers

Parkinson
Shellie Parkinson -  AVID 10
Ms Shellie Parkinson has been teaching at PVHS since the school reopened in 2002. Before teaching at PVHS, Ms P taught at Raney Intermediate School in Corona-Norco Unified. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Illinois State University in 2000 and finished her Master’s Degree in Instrumental Conducting from Sam Houston State University in 2011. Here at PVHS, she oversees the PVHS Full and String Orchestras, the Jazz Band and the Marching Band. She also teaches Music Theory AP and has an AVID 12 class that she adores. In her “free time”, she enjoys working with the Jazz students at PVIS and conducting the Pit Orchestra for the PVHS Drama Musicals. 
Jeffrrey Beaucar - AVID teacherJeff Beaucar -  AVID 9
Cari Seacrist AVID Coordinator and teacherCari Seacrist -  AVID 12 and AVID Coordinator
Marissa Salgado AVID teacherMarissa Salgado -  AVID 11