Portland Public Schools

Madison's school-wide use of AVID has helped 76 percent of senior be accepted into a college.

Madison's school-wide use of AVID has helped 76 percent of senior be accepted into a college.

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Madison High School became the first school in PPS to be designated an AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction for its efforts in a program that prepares students for college and beyond.

AVID, an acronym for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is non-profit organization that is “dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and other postsecondary opportunities.” Its programs are used in 46 states and 17 countries/territories.

While some schools and districts use AVID programs as electives, Madison has committed to the AVID Schoolwide program, which entails using instructional practices and promotion of college readiness throughout the school.

Less than 10 percent of AVID middle and high schools achieve Schoolwide Site of Distinction status. The status is achieved by providing data through which AVID officials determine if a school meets certain benchmarks.

Madison’s use of AVID has helped lead to 76 percent of its seniors being accepted into a college.