The AVID Elective, a component of the AVID College and Career Readiness System, is specifically designed and tailored to support students in the ‘academic middle’ — those who have the potential to succeed at increasingly higher levels but may need additional support to fully realize their individual potential. The elective provides students with a toolkit of transferable future-ready skills and strategies like leadership, critical thinking, inquiry, organization, time management, and effective communication. Through collaborative learning, goal setting, and college and career exploration, students gain the confidence and tools they need to thrive in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. 

By building these essential skills, the AVID Elective helps students grow into confident, capable learners who are ready to take on academic challenges.

Key Components of the AVID Elective: 

1. Academic skill-building: students learn how to take focused notes, stay organized, manage their time, and study effectively.
2. Rigorous Courses with Tutorial Support: AVID Elective students are expected to enroll in at least one course of rigor (AP). To support their success, students participate in small group tutorials led by trained tutors who guide them through academic challenges using skilled questioning.
3. Leadership Development: Recognized as emerging leaders, AVID Elective students are given meaningful opportunities to build confidence, take initiative, and grow their leadership skills beyond the classroom. 
4. College and Career Readiness: Students explore college and career options while building skills in self-advocacy, financial literacy, and long-term planning.