Maui High School Recruits Students for College Ready Program

Graduating AVID class. Courtesy photo.

Maui High School’s Advancement Via Individual Determination program, or “AVID” is currently recruiting students for its college readiness system.

Program facilitators say they are accepting applications from current 8th grade students from Lokelani Intermediate School and Maui Waena Intermediate School, as well as current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students from Maui High School for the 2016-2017 school year.

The AVID program has been implemented in more than 4,900 schools nationwide and is designed to give students options when they graduate from high school.

AVID targets students in the academic middle who have college potential with support. “Often, these students are not reaching their full academic potential, but AVID equips them with the skills necessary to be successful in more rigorous coursework,” said AVID elective teacher and coordinator for Maui High School, Dani de Jesus in a program announcement.

Maui High School. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Students will be selected based on specific criteria including: students’ grades, state test scores, citizenship, attendance, determination, first in family to attend college, economically disadvantaged, as well as teacher recommendations. All submitted applications will be reviewed by the Maui High AVID Site Team and the decisions to interview and select students will depend upon the review process and availability.

Students who are placed in the AVID elective will receive training in specific skills, which will help them to be critical thinkers, be organized students and have success in advanced courses. The AVID students will also have weekly tutorials during the school day, which are conducted by college students trained to guide students to find the answers on their own. The AVID students will also have the opportunity to tour college campuses and hear from community leaders about different career path opportunities.

For more information and/or to apply to the program, interested individuals are asked to contact de Jesus by Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 by phone at (808) 727-4188 or by email at dani.dejesus@mauihigh.org.