AVID Demonstration School Validation: Passed

After a validation process held at the school site on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, Vista Verde Middle School became the first Middle School in the Val Verde Unified School District to become an AVID Demonstration School. AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness system for elementary through higher education that is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. The AVID College Readiness System (ACRS) accelerates student learning, uses research-based methods of effective instruction, provides motivational and professional learning, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change. Esperanza Arce, Principal of Vista Verde Middle School expressed, "It is an honor to receive such a distinction. It is an affirmation of all the hard work our teachers, students, staff, and community have done over the years. We have an outstanding AVID Coordinator; Mr. Dean Andres who does not simply coordinate a program, he lives it. Mr. Andres and our AVID Cougar Team have motivated and impacted students and other teachers at Vista Verde in such a way that AVID is not only an elective, AVID is an intricate part of our college-going school-wide culture. We are so proud of our Cougars for becoming a National AVID Demonstration School; I appreciate all they do for our students!"