The AVID Elective, part of the AVID College and Career Readiness System, is designed to support students in the ‘academic middle’—those with a strong academic potential who would benefit from added guidance to reach higher levels of success. The course equips students with future‑ready skills such as leadership, critical thinking, inquiry, organization, time management, and effective communication. Through collaborative learning, goal setting, and college and career exploration, students build the confidence and tools they need to thrive in rigorous courses, including Advanced Placement (AP).

By strengthening these essential skills, the AVID Elective helps students grow into confident, capable learners. This growth is guided by three key areas that define the AVID Elective student experience:

1. Student Agency: Students learn to set goals, build initiative through leadership opportunities, reflect on their progress, advocate for themselves, and develop the confidence to take on new challenges.
    
2. Opportunity Knowledge: Students explore college and career pathways, learn about admissions and financial literacy, and build long‑term planning skills. Students also gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities available to them and how to pursue their goals.
    
3. Rigorous Academic Preparedness: Students develop strong academic habits such as focused note‑taking, organization, inquiry, and time management. They enroll in at least one rigorous course and receive small‑group tutorial support from trained tutors who guide them through academic challenges using inquiry‑based questioning.