Leadership Courses

This class provides an opportunity for students to take leadership positions in the planning of school and community activities. The students must apply and be selected by the sponsor and principal.

The 9th grade AVID Elective aids students’ transition into, through, and beyond high school. It promotes early college awareness by guiding students to explore colleges based on academic, financial, and social fit. The course emphasizes goal setting, fostering motivation and strategic planning. Students will study how authors use symbols to show deeper meanings in both reading and writing to enhance their interpretative and expressive skills. Critical thinking is applied through research on post-secondary options. The course explores financial literacy, covering goal setting, debt management, and budgeting. AVID I also provides a leadership opportunity for students to serve in their community. AVID students are expected to enroll in challenging courses (Advanced, Pre-AP, and AP, etc.) and receive support through academic study groups during class time. This course combines academic, financial, and social learning, preparing students for a successful high school journey.

The 10th grade AVID Elective course starts with students creating a digital profile to document their high school and community activities, fostering personal organization and record-keeping skills. Students focus on advancing critical reading skills, a key competency at this stage of academic development. An argumentative writing unit hones students’ persuasive communication skills. The continuation of financial literacy study includes lessons on banking, saving, employment, insurance, and tax credits. Student agency and self-confidence are developed to prepare students to become purpose-driven leaders. The 10th-grade AVID course uniquely blends academic, financial, digital literacy, and leadership skills, equipping students for future endeavors.

The 11th grade AVID Elective begins the year with cultivating a growth mindset and setting personal improvement goals, which are critical for self-development. The course then transitions into enhancing critical reading skills, specifically aimed at analyzing college essays, a skill unique to upper-level high school students preparing for college applications. The course also emphasizes timed writing skills, a crucial ability for standardized tests and college exams. Juniors research colleges for academic fit, look for scholarship opportunities, and engage in a financial literacy course focused on financing higher education, consumer skills, and credit and debt. AVID III students apply research and source integration skills in a practical service-learning project, promoting community engagement and experiential learning. Lastly, the course initiates the college application process through the creation of a compelling college entrance essay, a key skill for students at this juncture in their academic journey.

The 12th grade AVID Elective course is final stage in preparing students for higher education and careers. Senior year begins with a checklist of important tasks such as college applications, resumes, letters of recommendation, and interviews. SMART goals are established for students’ future plans, including a scaffolded release of responsibility in AVID senior tutorials. Students design blueprints of their futures, and work on their short-response writing skills, crucial for college and scholarship applications. They delve into a practical unit on financing higher education. Seniors complete their checklist by mapping out their summer transitions, preparing themselves for their imminent transition to post-secondary life.