AVID Excel

AVID Excel

Mar Vista Academy: an AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction

Schoolwide Site of Distinction is the highest rating that a school can achieve within the AVID certification continuum. Schoolwide Site of Distinction Schools are schools that are implementing both the AVID Elective and AVID Schoolwide with high levels of fidelity.

AVID Excel 7 – Mrs. Bailon

AVID Excel 8 – Mrs. Faiai-Su’esu’e

What happens in the AVID Excel class?

  • We work on improving our writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading skills (WICOR)
  • College students work with AVID students twice a week. These college students lead Tutorial and Scholar groups and provide you with the extra academic support needed for academic success.
  • We work on organization, note-taking and study skills. Binder checks are a big part of the class.
  • We work on goal-setting so you can be a more efficient student.
  • We build teamwork and collaboration through teambuilding activities and group projects.
  • Guest speakers come and talk to you about different careers and colleges.
  • We go on field trips to colleges/universities. Some of the universities MVA students might visit include; SDSU, UCSD, USD, CSU Fullerton, CSU Long Beach, UC Irvine, UCLA, USC and our local Community Colleges.
  • We participate in extracurricular activities and community events through our Community Service project.

Students in our AVID Excel program are chosen based on the following criteria:

  • US Schools: Entered US School 5+ years ago or is on the way to long-term EL (LTEL) status as of June 2019.
  • CA English Language Proficiency Exam:  Overall intermediate (2) &/or early advanced (3) on last CELDT (5th grade)*
  • ELA SBAC Test: Scored within “Standard Not Met” or “Nearly Met” ranges
  • College Aspirations: Interested in going to college; desire to be successful;
  • ELA Courses: Scheduled for English 7, English 8, or highest ELD Course (ELD IV)

Scholar Groups

  • A critical component of the AVID Excel program is the opportunity to participate in Scholar Groups. Through the SGRF process and participation in Scholar Groups students engage in critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking skills, listening skills, and note-taking with an emphasis on language acquisition. During the Scholar Groups sessions students work in small groups with college tutors.

College Trips

  • Throughout the middle school years, MVA AVID Excel students will have the opportunity to visit universities
  • The goal is to have MVA AVID Excel students visit multiple college campuses by the time they begin high school!

WICOR Strategies

Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading

Resources