Adams City Middle School recertified as AVID national demonstration site

Commerce City, Co.- Adams City Middle School (ACMS) has been recertified as a National Demonstration School by Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), following a site visit and evaluation by national experts. Larger percentages of AVID students at ACMS score at Proficient and Advanced levels compared with non-AVID students.

The school’s AVID program consists of six certified teachers and a coordinator to coach students, review their work and provide additional educational support; students spend 60 minutes engaged in a customized AVID curriculum during their literacy block. In addition to regular coursework, students keep binders of class materials and learn study skills, test preparation, time management and writing. Teachers fill out progress reports for the AVID coordinator to ensure students are making adequate progress.

Adams 14’s program evaluation this year demonstrated the positive impact of the curriculum and AVID’s team subsequently designated ACMS a national demonstration school through 2013. “It’s rare for a school to be recertified for three years,” said ACMS Principal Jennifer Skrobela. “I believe this demonstrates the success of the initiative. We have seen the impact of the AVID curriculum and our teachers in helping students with support and skill-building. The result is improved opportunities for students to attend college later in their educational careers.”

AVID is a college-readiness system that prepares students in grades 4-12 for higher education by providing extended support from teachers, tutors and school leaders. 120 students participate at ACMS and the school has been an AVID national demonstration site since 2000. Adams 14 students also participate in an AVID program at Adams City High School.