Debary Elementary School – AVID 3

Apr 2026 · 2nd Semester

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a rigorous elective class that provides support for students in the AVID program through curricular and mentoring activities. This course is designed to enable students to develop intermediate skills and strategies in Cornell note-taking, oral and written communication, time management, study skills for advanced courses, organization, problem solving, and inquiry. This course also guides students to pursue a college education and assists in the exploration and application process. Students prepare for college entrance exams and continue career exploration for college. The course emphasizes rhetorical reading, analytical writing, collaborative discussion strategies, tutorial inquiry study groups, preparation for college entrance and placement exams, college study skills and test taking strategies, note taking and research. AVID 3 is the first part in a junior/senior seminar course that focuses on writing and critical thinking expected of firstand second-year college students. This course is organized around the theme of “Leadership as a Catalyst for Change in Society.” Students study, in depth, exceptional leaders in contemporary society, and examine the effect these individuals have had on culture, politics, education, history, science, and the arts. The course requires that students read essays, speeches, articles and letters by these leaders, as well as at least one full-length work by the leader or about the leader. In addition, each student is required to conduct a research project that is presented in the senior year. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID Seminar, there are college bound activities, methodologies and tasks that should be undertaken during the junior year to support students as they apply to fouryear universities and confirm their post-secondary plans.