AVID - Eagle Ridge Middle School

AVID is a 7th & 8th grade academic program that students must request in order to enroll. We also offer a 6th grade Pre-AVID class. We are looking for students with a GPA between 2.0 and 3.5 (in the 'academic middle') who are capable of better work than they are doing - - in classes that are more rigorous than they are used to. Acceptance into the program is determined through an application process. The curriculum consists of learning reading and writing strategies that work, inquiry, team building, collaboration techniques, and organization skills. Weekly tutoring and additional support is provided to assist students in advanced classes along with motivational activities such as guest speakers and field trips to encourage college aspirations.

Does it work? You bet it does! Not long ago, in a single year, Our two high schools graduated 37 Seniors who took AVID in middle school. 100% were accepted at colleges and universities, 100% received scholarships averaging $24,000. As a whole, they received scholarships adding up to $1,074,000 dollars! Only six years earlier, they were “average” students in middle school. Being enrolled in AVID is like having a personal trainer at your side throughout middle and high school. We offer 6th, 7th, and 8th grade AVID at Eagle Ridge and have openings in August and (occasionally) again in early December. Have your student contact Captain Bruce Gustin for more information – they know how to find me. Bruce.Gustin@rrps.net

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A Good AVID Question!

Q: Why does AVID encourage students to take rigorous courses in middle and high school?

A: Good question! A report released by Higher Education for Higher Standards finds that high-quality college-readiness standards, and aligned assessments such as PARCC, are an important tool for combating the widespread need for students to take remedial coursework when they get to college. According to the report, more than half of all two-year college students require remediation upon entering college, while 1 in 5 four-year college students require the same. Remediation cost families $1.5 billion in tuition and other fees in the 2011-12 school year alone, and forced families and/or students to take out an additional $380 million in loans, simply to re-learn concepts that are supposed to be taught in high school.

AVID supports statewide assessments in high school that are aligned with college-readiness standards and the use of them as early college-readiness indicators, instead of waiting to assess students when they arrive on a college campus. Four-year college students who require remediation are 74 percent more likely to drop out than those who don't. Early warnings from rigorous assessments can help close preparation gaps before college enrollment, reducing time and money spent on non-credit-bearing remedial coursework.

Are you interested in AVID? Unfortunately, our four 2018-2019 7^th & 8^th grade AVID classes are fully enrolled already. However, we do have a few students who move out of state or out of Rio Rancho during each summer, so I am starting an AVID Wait list. If your student would like to be on the wait list for AVID at Eagle Ridge, please e-mail me as soon as possible. It will be first come – first serve. Bruce.Gustin@rrps.net

-= Captain Bruce Gustin =-

AVID - A Steppingstone to Student Success!

Close to 3,000 students in Rio Rancho’s public schools are middle-grades students – 6th, 7th, or 8th graders – who are either launched onto the path to graduation or knocked off track during these years. Research has definitively shown that experiences in middle grades have substantial impacts on high school graduation and success in college.

The middle grades are a time when adolescents experience immense social, emotional, and physical changes. We can help students in these grades become who they want to be by providing innovative and meaningful learning opportunities – exactly what our AVID classes are designed to accomplish. AVID is available for all grades at Eagle Ridge. We are committed to turn our middle grades into a steppingstone to high school graduation and a pathway to college and life success.

We are now accepting AVID applications for the 2019-2020 school year at ERMS. The basic requirement is a current GPA (Grade Point Average) between 2.0 and 3.5. If you are interested, please have your student pick up at application at ERMS Student Services. Questions? Contact Bruce.Gustin@rrps.net.

Now Accepting AVID Applications

ERMS is now accepting applications for AVID enrollment during the 2019-2020 school year! For 7th and 8th grade AVID, a paper application is required. The forms are available from Student Services. For 6th grade Pre-AVID, just give us your student's name. Pre-AVID is a one semester Related Arts class (available during both semesters) while AVID is a year-long elective. Contact Captain Gustin at 892-6630 ext. 323 or by e-mail at Bruce.Gustin@rrps.net. AVID class sizes are limited, so apply early!

Links

AVID Homepage
All about AVID's mission, resources, and blog

Khan Academy Videos
Learn anything - free and fast!

Contacts

Gustin, Capt Bruce
Business: 892-6630 x 323
Email: Bruce.Gustin@rrps.net
AVID Program Coordinator

Melvin, Ms. Jennifer
Business: 892-6630 x 323
Email: Jennifer.Melvin@rrps.net
AVID Elective Teacher