WHITTIER – Pioneer High School’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program provides students with innovative resources, activities and opportunities to help them thrive in college and careers, earning the school revalidation as an AVID National Demonstration School.

The school was first granted this status in 2017 and, after revalidation processes were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, was redesignated for the first time this year. Only 203 schools nationwide, and 66 in California, receive this prestigious status, highlighting Pioneer High for its exemplary model of the AVID College Readiness System.

“This honor is a testament to our school’s commitment to career and college readiness,” Principal Mary Chapman said. “We work tirelessly to ensure that all students have the opportunity to engage in rigorous and relevant learning experiences that challenge them to deepen their learning.”

Students in the AVID program utilize WICOR strategies – writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading – to engage with their various assignments and activities. Using these strategies, students learn how to best take focused notes, engage in higher-level thinking, participate in study groups, create seamless binders and agendas and more.

“It is incredibly important for students to have strong resources and extra support in their education,” Pioneer High AVID Coordinator Dyan Acevedo said. “Receiving this revalidation marks our school as one that provides open access and opportunity to a rigorous curriculum, while offering excellent support systems that foster success.”

AVID students also engage in college and career exploration through guest speakers, field trips, career presentations and more, to help them gain exposure to their many post-graduate options.

“At Whittier Union, we strive to ensure that students from all backgrounds have access to the tools they need to succeed in high school, college, careers and beyond,” Superintendent Dr. Monica Oviedo said. “We are incredibly proud of Pioneer High School for this outstanding achievement and for representing the excellence found across our District.”

Since the AVID program’s start at Pioneer High in 2001, the school’s A-G courses – the classes a student needs to pass to be admitted into the California State University and University of California systems – eligibility rate has grown from below 25% of students meeting the requirements to 76.7%.

“Congratulations to Pioneer High School for its revalidation as an AVID National Demonstration School,” Board President Jaime López said. “This accomplishment reinforces our commitment at Whittier Union to ‘Achieve and Maintain Excellence.’ Pioneer High’s ongoing pursuit of success is truly commendable. Great work, Titans.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS

WUHSD_AVIDSCHOOL1: Pioneer High School staff and faculty celebrate being named an Advancement Via Individual Determination School for the second time. This achievement highlights the school’s commitment to providing students with the resources, opportunities, and support needed to help every student be college and career ready.

WUHSD_AVIDSCHOOL2: Pioneer High School students utilize the school’s College Center to explore college options and get equipped with the tools they need to navigate their path to success beyond the classroom.