Advancement Via Individual Determination

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a nonprofit educational organization that aims to close opportunity gaps by preparing students for college and career success. AVID began in 1980 at Clairemont High School in San Diego, California, where teacher Mary Catherine Swanson created an elective to support students in the academic middle following court-ordered desegregation in the district.^[1][2]

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

Founded	1980
Founder	Mary Catherine Swanson
Founded at	San Diego, California, U.S.
Focus	College and career readiness
Headquarters	San Diego, California
Area served	United States; Department of Defense Education Activity; U.S. Virgin Islands; Canada; Australia
Chief Executive Officer	Thuan Nguyen
Website	https://www.avid.org/

As of 2025, AVID’s President and Chief Executive Officer is Thuan Nguyen.^[3] According to AVID Center, the program operates in more than 7,400 K–12 schools across 47 U.S. states and several international jurisdictions.^[4]

AVID Center

AVID Center is a course that school districts and college campuses can contract with to provide learning, curriculum, and support services. Districts and campuses decide which parts of the AVID College and Career Readiness System will best serve their needs.^[5][6][7] AVID Center has offices in San Diego and Dallas.

History

AVID originated in 1980 at Clairemont High School in San Diego, California, where English department chair Mary Catherine Swanson created an elective course to support students in the academic middle as they enrolled in rigorous coursework.^[8] The program’s development is commonly linked to court-ordered desegregation in San Diego Unified in the late 1970s, which brought bused students to Clairemont; AVID combined high expectations with structured academic and social supports.^[9][10]

During the mid-1980s, AVID expanded within San Diego Unified. A district history notes that by 1986 four SDUSD high schools had launched AVID, the California Department of Education provided funds to disseminate the program across San Diego County, and in 1987 the SDUSD Board of Education mandated AVID in all district high schools.^[11]

In the early 1990s, researchers at the University of California, San Diego, studied AVID as part of broader investigations of “untracking,” culminating in the book Constructing School Success: The Consequences of Untracking Low-Achieving Students (Cambridge University Press, 1996).^[12]

To support expansion beyond San Diego, the nonprofit AVID Center was established in 1992; nonprofit registries list the organization as tax-exempt since 1997.^[13][14]

AVID subsequently expanded internationally. An archival history notes that by 2001, AVID had been implemented in schools in **Canada** and in the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (**DoDEA**) school system, alongside continued national growth.^[15] AVID is now offered in DoDEA Americas and DoDEA Europe schools, with several designated as Schoolwide Sites of Distinction.^[16]

In **Australia**, AVID was introduced in 2011 when The Victoria Institute at Victoria University received funding to trial the program. In 2015, AVID Center granted Australia an exclusive site license to operate nationally, and in December 2024 AVID Center approved the establishment of its first international subsidiary in Australia to provide direct governance and expansion support.^[17]

Research

Since 1980, AVID has been closely studied by numerous research teams and individuals.^[18]

A 2023 multisite randomized controlled trial published in Pediatrics found that AVID students transitioning to high school had healthier peer networks, lower odds of substance use, and—among male students—lower stress and higher engagement, compared to control groups.^[19]

A 2020 study in the Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness examined 10,397 students using quasi-experimental methods. It found associations between AVID participation and high school as well as postsecondary outcomes, and estimated program costs.^[20]

Other studies have reported improvements in executive function among middle school students in AVID programs,^[21] and higher college enrollment rates in participating schools.

School-level reporting of impact

Beyond academic research, multiple schools and districts publicly report how AVID influences student and school outcomes, often blending descriptive statistics with program narratives.

For example, **Amador County Unified (CA)** states that AVID students achieve a **98 % graduation rate**, **93 % meeting four-year college entrance requirements**, and **88 % persistence into the second year of college**.^[22] In **Houston ISD (TX)**, a district “Impact Report” notes that AVID is active in 94 schools (57 elementary, 37 secondary) and highlights staff training and student participation metrics.^[23]

In **Portland Public Schools (OR)**, an internal evaluation emphasized the AVID elective’s “supportive, family-like” environment and its contribution to school culture and student engagement.^[24] **Creekside High School** in Fulton County (GA) hosted a showcase where visiting educators observed AVID strategies across classrooms, with school leaders citing positive cultural impact beyond the elective.^[25]

Recognition

AVID has been recognized by school districts, municipalities, and state governments through official proclamations and observances.

AVID Day

AVID Day is an annual observance recognizing AVID educators, students, and alumni. It is typically held on September 12 and includes school and community events, student reflections, and social media campaigns using the theme “Because of AVID, I …” and the hashtag #MyAVIDWhy.^[26]

Schools and districts across the United States mark the occasion. In **Tyler, Texas**, students held classroom celebrations and shared “Because of AVID, I …” statements as part of the nationwide campaign.^[27] In **White Plains, New York**, Highlands Middle School students and staff held an AVID Day assembly featuring chants and student testimonials about the program’s impact.^[28]

AVID Day events often include community participation. At **Berry Shoals Intermediate School** in South Carolina, professionals from across the workforce visited classrooms to talk about their careers and answer student questions as part of the school’s AVID Day celebration.^[29] In **Greensville County, Virginia**, the district announced its participation in AVID Day and encouraged students and families to share reflections online.^[30]

Several districts have tied AVID Day to program outcomes. In **Hillsborough County, Florida**, the district highlighted that AVID was offered in 86 schools serving over 10,000 students, with the Class of 2025 AVID seniors achieving a 100 percent graduation rate and 92 percent meeting requirements for four-year college eligibility.^[31] In **Martin County, Florida**, students at Martin County High School shared their “Because of AVID, I …” reflections and wore college attire to mark the occasion.^[32]

Some observances have included government recognition. In **Pulaski County, Arkansas**, Judge Barry Hyde declared September 12, 2025, as “AVID Day,” honoring more than 1,300 district students enrolled in AVID. The district reported that all AVID seniors graduated and pursued postsecondary options, including college, military, and careers.^[33] In **Greeley, Colorado**, Mayor John Gates presented a city proclamation recognizing AVID Day, with celebrations across district schools.^[34][35]

Media coverage has also highlighted the observance. In Illinois, local outlet WIFR reported that Freeport schools joined the national celebration by completing “AVID Why” statements and reflecting on the district’s nearly 30-year involvement with the program.^[36]

Texas proclamation

Also in 2025, the State of Texas issued a statewide proclamation honoring AVID’s 45-year legacy and designating September 12 as AVID Day. The proclamation noted that AVID operated in 161 districts and 1,058 sites across Texas, serving more than 205,000 students, and reported that 92 percent of Texas AVID seniors who applied to college were accepted.^[37]