FAIRFAX COUNTY Herndon Middle PUBLIC 901 Locust Road Herndon, Virginia 20170

Dear Parent/Guardian: We are pleased to inform your that student is being considered for the AVID program at Herndon for the next school year. AVID, which stands for Advancement via Individual Determination, is a -preparatory program designed for students with recognized academic potential, an individual determination to succeed, and a desire to take challenging courses to prepare for four-year college enrollment. Your student was recommended by his/her as a candidate for the AVID program and must meet the preliminary requirements for consideration.

We will meet with potential AVID students during Unity Time today to provide them with information about the Herndon Middle School AVID program. At this meeting, your student was given an application packet that must be completed and signed by both you and your student in order for him/her to be granted an interview. Once the application is received, your student will be scheduled for an interview, which is the next step in the selection process. It is an honor and an opportunity to be recommended for the AVID program. The AVID class is designed to provide motivated, capable students with the skills necessary to be successful in challenging courses in middle school, high school, and college. If your student is accepted into the AVID program, he/she will be enrolled in the AVID th Elective course in the 8 ​ grade and will be signed up for one or more Honors classes and a ​ World Language class. In the AVID class students will: ● Practice higher-order thinking ● Engage in writing activities ● Learn additional reading strategies ● Learn: study, organizational, time management and note taking strategies ● Research postsecondary and career opportunities Trained tutors work with students during the AVID class to help them explore their challenging course material more deeply and to help them develop higher-order thinking and college-level independent study skills. AVID students also hear a number of guest speakers and participate in college and cultural field trips. The Herndon MS AVID team members are looking forward to meeting with your student during the AVID interview and discussing your child’s desire and determination to achieve academically and go on to be successful in college. You can find more information about the Fairfax County AVID Program at http://www.fcps.edu/is/schoolcounseling/collegesuccess/avid.shtml

Sincerely, Karyn Niles Herndon MS AVID Program Administrator

I have the desire and determination to be successful in college-preparatory courses and am interested in being considered for participation in the Herndon Middle School AVID program for the 2020-2021 school year.

As an AVID student, I will be required to take the AVID elective course in addition to (at minimum) a and at least one advanced course, as they will best prepare me for success in college. I understand these requirements and am willing to work my hardest to be successful in the most rigorous classes at HMS.

STUDENT NAME: ______​

ADDRESS: ______​

HOME PHONE NUMBER: ______​

EMAIL ADDRESS: ______​

Honors Classes and/or Foreign Language taken in 7th Grade: ______​ ______Total Number of Absences this Year: ______​ Total Number of Tardies this Year: ______​

STUDENT NAME: ______​

STUDENT SIGNATURE: ______​

STUDENT UNITY : ______​

School Year 2020-2021 AVID Student Application and Questions

Will you be the first person in your family to go to College? Yes______No______

Parent’s Highest Level of (Check one for each parent) ​

● Parent 1: Level of High School 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 /College/Technical School 1 2 3 4 Masters Doctorate Other (Specify)

● Parent 2: Level of High School 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 University/College/Technical School 1 2 3 4 Masters Doctorate Other (Specify)

Parent Questions: As a parent or guardian, you must support your child in his or her attempt to pursue the dream of going to college and be an advocate for his or her success. Are you willing to attend at least one information meeting about AVID and help ensure that your child is studying 1 to 1 ½ hours after school and keeping an organized binder and planner?

❑ Yes ❑ No

I support my child’s desire to succeed in challenging courses and to attend college, and I wish to see him/her considered for participation in the AVID program. I understand that if my child is selected for AVID, I must work with him/her, the AVID teacher, and the school to help support his/her academic success.

❑ Yes ❑ No

PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME: ______​

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: ______​

STUDENT NAME: ______​

STUDENT SIGNATURE: ______​

Please return application to Ms. Niles, AVID Administrator (Resource WIng) or Ms. Brandom AVID Coordinator/ Teacher (Room 236) by February 11, 2020. Student Questions

Name: ______

Current Grade: ______Date: ______

1. What do you like most about school? Why?

2. What do you like least about school? Why?

3. What do you think is your strongest academic area? Why?

4. What do you think is your weakest academic area? Why?

5. What words would your teachers use to describe you as a student and why?

6. Do you want to go to college? If so, why?

7. Does your family want you to go to college? If so, why?

8. Has anyone in your family gone to college? If so, who? 9. What do you do if you have trouble with a subject?

10. How do you think you might benefit from being in the AVID program?