AVID/College Board

AVID History

AVID-A National College Preparatory Program
In 1987, Mary Catherine Swann, a teacher began the AVID program as an academic elective course to help underserved and underachieving students have the opportunity to participate in rigorous courses such as Advanced Placement (AP) and to experience the possibility of achieving college success.  The AVID program is in 39 states and in the District of Columbia.  AVID emphasizes access, rigor, high performance standards, and excellence.

AVID History in BCPS

In 2002, Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston launched the AVID initiative; it provided the structure, rigor, and academic support to improve achievement.  Under the leadership of Dr. Barbara Dezmon and Mrs. Shirley Page (Office of Equity and Assurance), the AVID Pilot program began in six schools:  Dundalk, Kenwood, Milford Mill Academy, Owings Mills, Parkville, and Woodlawn High Schools.  Today, the AVID program is implemented in Carver, Catonsville, Chesapeake, Dulaney, Eastern, Franklin, Hereford, Lansdowne, Loch Raven, New Town, Overlea, Patapsco, Perry Hall, Pikesville, Randallstown, Sparrows Point, Towson, and Western High Schools. There is one school on the middle level, Dundalk Middle School, implementing the AVID program.