AVID/TOPS at Memorial

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is not just another program, it is a research-based school-wide system that prepares all students for college, career, and community readiness. At its heart AVID is a philosophy: Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge. This college readiness program is for elementary through higher education students. The system accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of instruction and provides meaningful and motivational professional learning. In MMSD, students can begin the AVID program as early as 7th grade. When entering high school, students apply to the program and remain in the AVID elective class, with a cohort group of students, all four years of high school. 

This college readiness system includes 3 components:

1. an AVID Elective Course for students in the academic middle in grades 7-12 supporting students in the academic middle to attend post-secondary education;
2. AVID Schoolwide, which ensures every student has access to key strategies to help them become college, career, and community ready;
3. the highest quality training and resources to support all school staff.  

In Madison, we are fortunate to have a strong partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County. The Boys & Girls Club provides financial support to the AVID program through tutors, school supplies, and field trips. This partnership is integral to the success of the AVID Program.  In Madison, we are not just AVID, we're AVID/TOPS. TOPS stands for Teens of Promise, a Boys & Girls Club college readiness program.  To find out how you can get involved, go to the Boys & Girls Club website.

AVID Mission

AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.