The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is program that is offered as an elective course in schools across the country designed to help students in the academic middle or in need of extra help to develop the skills needed for post-high school.

Each grade has its own AVID, but for seniors one of the course targets is to assist students in the college application process.

“AVID has helped me a lot in my senior year while going through the whole college process. My teachers have helped me with completing college applications, sending over all academic information to colleges, applying for financial aid, committing to college and much more. I will definitely be bringing the study skills I have gained from AVID into my college school work,” senior Summer Malinowski, who will be attending Coastal Carolina University, said.

The course emphasizes teaching skills and good habits to students that they can bring with them to college.

“I’ve learned a lot about time management and dealing with procrastination and learning how to study appropriately,” senior Ethan Blumes, who will be attending the University of Connecticut, said.

In the 2014-15 academic year, the school first adopted this student-centered approach.

“Over the last five years, AVID has supported dozens of students on the path towards graduation and higher education, and the program has had a positive impact on teaching and learning at FHS for ,all students. The AVID teachers and counselors have worked tirelessly on behalf of their students, and these students—due to their own hard work and determination—have advanced accordingly. I am confident AVID will to continue to flourish at FHS in the years ahead,” Principal Bill Silva said.

On May 1, National Decision Day, AVID seniors gathered during their class to officially announce their plans for the next year.

“It was exciting to celebrate our commitment to college with all my classmates and to reflect on the stressful process we have gone through to get to where we are now. I would have never thought in October that I would be here and have a set plan on where I am attending college,” Malinowski said.