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Sagewood began its partnership with AVID over 10 years ago in response to student needs, our community’s values, and compelling educational research. 

Currently, AVID at Sagewood consists of 3 distinct, but highly interrelated components:

• AVID Schoolwide
  • Schoolwide integration of AVID philosophy, structures, and strategies to improve academic performance of all students through increased opportunities
  • AVID Schoolwide Slide Deck
• AVID 6th Grade Elective
  • 1 Semester Course
  • As of 2024-25: Required for all 6th grade SGMS students–No application/interview. 
  • Purpose: To provide all 6th grade students with opportunities to learn/practice foundational or core AVID structures and strategies that support academic and social success throughout middle school
• AVID 7th/8th Grade Elective 
  • 1 year courses; Two year commitment (7&8) highly encouraged. 
  • Student enrollment by application/interview process.
  • Purpose: To provide motivated students of promise with student-centered weekly instruction that utilizes a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum provided by AVID Center and aligned to the AVID College and Career Readiness Framework. 

PHS Feeder AVID Initiative

Franktown Elementary and Ponderosa High School have both joined the DCSD AVID family of schools in recent years! Students who begin their education at Franktown and continue through SGMS and PHS now have the opportunity to experience the positive impact(s) of AVID K-12!

Legend High School is also an active AVID partner school in the Parker, CO region of DCSD.

AVID 6

The 6th Grade Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Elective is a required semester-long academic course that prepares students for success in middle school, as well as sets a foundation for future college and career readiness and success. Each week, students receive instruction that utilizes a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum provided by AVID Center and aligned to the AVID College and Career Readiness Framework. Students engage in learning tasks that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading (WICOR®) to support their academic growth. Additionally, students engage in tutor and/or peer-facilitated tutorials, academic success skills, and in motivational activities centered around exploring college and career opportunities and developing their student agency.

The 6th grade AVID Elective course begins with an introduction to the AVID College and Career Readiness Framework through collaborative activities that build relationships with other AVID Elective students. Students build organization, tutorial, and focused note-taking routines that will be embedded throughout the year to support student engagement throughout all of their courses within their school day. Students are introduced to WICOR strategies and engage in units of study around the following topics through these strategies: Goal Setting, Reading and Writing Disciplinary Literacy, Financial Literacy, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Opportunity Knowledge, Relational Capacity, and Tutorology®.

AVID 7

The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Elective is an academic elective course that prepares students for college and career readiness and success, and it is scheduled during the regular school day as a year-long, academic elective course. Each week, students receive instruction that utilizes a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum provided by AVID Center and aligned to the AVID College and Career Readiness Framework. Students engage in learning tasks that incorporate strategies focused on writing. inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading(WICOR®) to support their academic growth. Additionally, students engage in tutor and/or peer-facilitated tutorials, academic success skills, and in motivational activities centered around exploring college and career opportunities and developing their student agency.

The 7th grade AVID Elective course is a crucial step for students as they continue their educational journey. Students will engage in activities, methodologies, and tasks designed to prepare them for future academic challenges, including applying to high schools and exploring potential career paths. Seventh graders continue to develop the WICOR skills and engage in units of study around the following topics through these strategies: Goal Setting, Reading and Writing Disciplinary Literacy, Financial Literacy, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Opportunity Knowledge, Relational Capacity and Tutorology. All 7th grade AVID students compile and present a portfolio representing their progress in the AVID elective and fulfilling the requirements for the 7th grade course.

AVID 8

The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Elective is an academic elective course that prepares students for college and career readiness and success, and it is scheduled during the regular school day as a year-long, academic elective course. Each week, students receive instruction that utilizes a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum provided by AVID Center and aligned to the AVID College and Career Readiness Framework. Students engage in learning tasks that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading (WICOR®) to support their academic growth. Additionally, students engage in tutor and/or peer-facilitated tutorials, academic success skills, and in motivational activities centered around exploring college and career opportunities and developing their student agency.

The 8th grade AVID Elective course serves as a pivotal year for preparing students for high school. Building on the skills and strategies acquired in the 6th and 7th grade AVID courses, students will further develop their student agency skills. This includes honing effective collaboration techniques, refining goals, advocating for themselves, demonstrating leadership, and managing conflicts. The course will deepen students' proficiency in writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading, all crucial for their transition to high school and future academic pursuits. Students will also engage in research and make connections to their interests and attributes, aligning them with college and career preparation to support their academic journey. Furthermore, the course will bolster their readiness for the future by enhancing their financial literacy and digital citizenship skills.

• Research Base

Students will receive support in:

• Using a planner
• Organizing their school materials
• Understanding how to take notes and how to use those notes
• Establishing effective study habits
• Researching colleges and universities
• Exploring careers
• Forming relaionships within the school community

• GPA 3.5-2.5
• Positive attitude toward learning, grades, and school
• Demonstrate a willingness to work with others
• Commitment to “personal best” in academics (growth mindset)
• Desire to enroll in advanced classes
• Good attendance

• Student Learning
• Enroll in the AVID class for 7th and 8th grade.
• Complete all subject assignments.
• Maintain an organized backpack, take class notes, and keep track of assignments.
• Actively participate in AVID tutorial groups.
• Help teachers and students maintain a positive learning atmosphere.
• Participate in AVID fieldtrips and required activities.
• Maintain at least a 2.5 Content Knowledge and Work Habits grade point average.
• Maintain at least a Content Knowledge and Work Habits grades of a B in AVID.
• Participate in community service, leadership opportunities, and extracurricular activities.

AVID Parents/Guardians support their student’s success in AVID by: 

• Discussing and reinforcing the AVID program requirements at home.
• Reading/responding to AVID-related communication from teachers.
• Attending Parent Conferences and other AVID-related parent meetings, whenever possible. 
• Checking in with students regularly regarding Work Habits, Content Grades, homework, and class assignments for all subject areas posted in IC.
• Supporting/encouraging participation in extracurricular activities, community service, and other life experiences for their student(s) outside of the school day, whenever possible.
• Providing ongoing encouragement, especially as students are learning to persevere through challenges

1. Complete and submit the application (Google Form) by February 4th, 2025
2. Mrs. Ranford (AVID Elective teacher) will contact students for an interview
3. Students will be notified of their acceptance status by the end of February