WHITTIER – Santa Fe High School has been re-validated as a National Demonstration School for AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a college-readiness system designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges.

An AVID campus for more than 20 years and a National Demonstration School since 2001, Santa Fe serves as a model to other schools wishing to implement the college preparation program. Only the top 3 percent of AVID schools reach this status.

“More of our students than ever are rising to the challenge, our teachers are using AVID strategies schoolwide and our college-going culture is thriving,” Principal Craig Campbell said. “We’re proud to be one of a handful of schools across the nation to set the standard and be a model of student success.”

Santa Fe – which is also an AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction – is in an elite category among the approximately 5,600 AVID schools in 44 states, the District of Columbia and 16 countries and U.S. territories. It will maintain its status as a demonstration school for three more years – the longest term possible ¬– and will continue to serve as a model for teachers and administrators from schools across the country that are implementing or refining AVID programs at their sites.

AVID is designed to narrow the achievement gap between the lowest- and highest-performing students and increase the number who enroll in four-year colleges.

At Santa Fe, 64 percent of teachers are AVID-trained, 100 percent of Santa Fe’s AVID students are on target to graduate in four years and 97 percent of those students have completed the A-G courses required for college admission. Additionally, 98 percent of Santa Fe’s AVID seniors were enrolled in rigorous Advanced Placement and honors courses.

“Our students have excelled with the support and guidance of our teachers and staff, who set the rigorous standards required for success in college and career,” Whittier Union High School District Superintendent Martin Plourde said. “This distinction showcases the outstanding work being done for our students.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

030117_WUHSD_SFHSAVID: The Santa Fe High School AVID administrative team celebrates the school’s recent revalidation as an AVID National Demonstration School. Only the top 3 percent of AVID schools reach this status.