FONTANA – Fontana High School is among 24 schools in California – and 75 in the nation – to earn the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Schoolwide Site of Distinction award for 2015-16, a new honor given to a select few AVID schools for their extensive commitment to providing students with college preparation resources.

Schoolwide Site of Distinction is the highest rating a school can achieve on the AVID certification rating scale. Only 380 out of 5,000 AVID schools in the U.S. were eligible to apply for the honor, which highlights schools that demonstrate high levels of implementation, transforming the philosophy of schools to one of college readiness for all students. The distinction puts Fontana High’s college and career readiness program in the top 2 percent of all AVID programs in the nation.

Fohi administrators were recognized for the accomplishment at the Fontana Unified School District Board of Education meeting on May 19.

“I am so proud of the dynamic leadership Fontana High has demonstrated in preparing our young students for the academic rigors of college and four-year universities,” Fontana Unified Board President Lorena Corona said. “Our program is flourishing, our students are being challenged to achieve greatness and more of them are pursuing higher education. I want to congratulate the entire team for this tremendous accomplishment.”

The AVID program 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 Fohi, 20 percent of students are in the AVID program, 43 percent make up the total enrollment in the Advance Placement (AP) department, 100 percent of AVID students apply to four-year universities and 98.6 percent are accepted. Additionally, all AVID tutors at the school are Fohi graduates.

“This distinction is a true testament to the work of the entire faculty and staff of Fontana High School,” Principal Ofelia Hinojosa said. “This represents the commitment of all teachers to employ AVID in their classrooms, the work of our counselors to ensure all students have established paths to post-secondary opportunities and the amazing expertise of our AVID Site Team. I am beyond proud of our work and am excited for our students’ future successes beyond Fohi.”

Fohi has been an AVID National Demonstration School since 2006, serving as a model for schools wishing to implement the college preparation program. The school has implemented a college-going culture through rigor and high expectations for all students, all while providing motivation, guidance and support to students as they pursue post-secondary opportunities.

“As a result of the steadfast dedication of our teachers and the support of our entire staff, our AVID programs across the District have ensured that all of our students have the opportunity to take rigorous coursework and explore the incredible futures they have before them,” Fontana Unified Superintendent Dr. Leslie Boozer said. “Congratulations to Fontana High for leading our students in achieving their goals of academic success.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

FOHIAVID: Fontana High School is among 24 schools in California to earn the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Schoolwide Site of Distinction award for 2015-16. Fohi administrators were recognized for the accomplishment at the Fontana Unified School District Board of Education meeting on May 19. Pictured in the front row are RIMS AVID Program Manager Micael Kelly, AVID teacher Danniella Levinson, Fohi AVID Coordinator Jo Shelly, Fohi Principal Ofelia Hinojosa, AVID teacher Candice Harrod and Fontana Unified board member BarBara Chavez. Pictured in the center row are AVID teacher Abraham Avendano, AVID teacher William Alexander, AVID teacher Dawn Costa and Fohi Vice Principal Joe Malatesta. In the back row are Fontana Unified board member Matt Slowik, Board Vice President Mary Sandoval, Board President Lorena Corona, Superintendent Dr. Leslie Boozer and board member Jesse Armendarez.