AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) was developed by Mary Catherine Swanson at Clairemont High School in 1980 in response to San Diego Unified School District's court-ordered integration of the city's schools.

 The program began as an elective class taken during the regular school day. Mary Catherine held her students accountable to the highest standards and provided them with academic and social support. She believed they would rise to the challenge. And have they ever?

In 1992 AVID Center was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the program has evolved into a fourth through twelfth-grade system that successfully prepares students in the academic middle for four-year college eligibility. Beginning with one high school and 32 students the AVID system is now on the march toward 5,500 schools 2020. 

Regardless of their life circumstances, AVID students overcome obstacles and achieve success. They graduate and attend college at higher rates, but more importantly, they can think critically, collaborate, and set high expectations to confidently conquer the challenges that await them.

In 47 states across the U.S., K-16 educators are driving the student success through engaging, rigorous, and student-centered learning environments. 

For more information about the AVID College Readiness please visit our AVID website @ https://www.avid.org/

Vision - Core Beliefs - Mission

Our Vision

AVID, in its first 27 years has proven that, when given a program of academic rigor and support, all students can be academically successful. Our vision is that by 2030, AVID's systemic approach will prove that entire school districts can prepare all students with the opportunity to enroll in colleges and universities, providing college by design rather than college by chance.

Our Core Beliefs

We believe that we exist first and foremost to serve our students; that all students should have the opportunity to go to college; that all students will achieve at the highest levels if given rigor and support; in acceleration over remediation; in raising expectations over selling our students short; in lifelong learning and in the development of teachers and all educators; that AVID prepares students for participation in our democracy, which presupposes an informed citizenry; that any obstacle can be overcome with hard work, individual determination, and support; in exposing students to cultural opportunities and broader horizons; in being held accountable-to ourselves and to each other; that we can change the course of history…one student, one teacher at a time.

Our Mission

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