About the AVID Program
A shout out to our Seniors who have completed the AVID Program as a part of their high school journey!
The mission of AVID — Advancement Via Individual Determination — is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.
As part of the AVID Program, take an AVID elective class that they stay in throughout all four years of high school, enroll in one or more honors and/or advanced placement courses, and take an active role in AVID activities that support post-secondary planning, such as trainings, college visits, extended learning opportunities.
"College has always been something I knew I wanted to go to," said Taryn Galceran who is headed to Colorado School of Mines in the fall. Taryn appreciated being part of a tight-knit community and receiving support in preparing her college and scholarship applications.
Consistent Student Support
Ms. Jennifer Tews is the Pine Creek staff member who has advised the Class of 2024 for the past four years. "She was super-supportive!" Taryn commented. "She has us do a lot of writing, which I wasn't expecting when I went in. The journal entries and mini essays definitely helped my writing in English and my college applications." Taryn also recalled receiving useful support for her math classes while in the AVID Program.
Keison Morales, who is headed to University of Colorado Colorado Springs in the fall, appreciated many components of the AVID program, including course advising. "I would not have taken any of the honors or AP classes without her," Keison said, reflecting on Ms. Tews' effort to advance students' reading and writing skills so that they had the confidence and ability to take advantage of the rigorous course opportunities at Pine Creek.
"They've overcome a number of hurdles, but these students are very resilient!" Ms. Tews said. The AVID Class of 2024 completed much of their freshman year online which made bonding difficult in addition to other challenges that occurred at the time due to the Coronavirus. Post COVID, many students across the United States struggled with motivation and engagement, but the Class of 2024 has persevered. "I'm so proud of them!" Ms. Tews exclaimed.
Unique Certificates
Ms. Tews designed this year's certificates so that each has a word cloud. Both the shape of the word cloud as well as the words used to build the cloud represent the student.
"Mine is a book because I read 150 book every year - I LOVE to read!" Taryn, who enjoys mystery and fantasy genres. Some of the words in Taryn's word cloud included: kind, empathetic, and optimistic.
Keison, who is on Pine Creek's Boys Swim Team and who plans to swim on the club team in college, received a word cloud in the shape of a swimmer and that was built using words such as loyal, compassionate, and leader.
