Created in 1981, AVID focuses on “students in the middle.” These students typically are progressing through high school, making B’s and C’s with virtually no effort, but are basically falling through the cracks, graduating from high school without realizing—much less maximizing— their potential. The typical AVID student is generally the first in their family to go to college, and is traditionally from a lower socio-economic background…but not necessarily so.

During the summer, Hardy and a group of San Marcos High School teachers (the AVID site-team) attended a week-long conference in Dallas called the AVID Summer Institute. Teachers from over 16 states attended the annual conference. The institute allows individual teachers to choose and attend individual “strands” where they explore, in detail, different aspects of the AVID program. At the conference, each teacher had the opportunity to investigate their specific subject area, allowing them to more fully explore research based, innovative strategies and, methodologies that have been time-tested over the last 26 years.

Of the 16 states represented at this year’s institute, Texas made up the largest number of teachers. Texas is the fastest growing AVID state with more AVID schools coming on board every year. Over 4,300 teachers attended this year’s event and received five days of AVID instructional methodologies and strategies, that focused on academic rigor geared toward steering motivated students to college.

Hardy was invited to speak at this year’s event. He was the first teacher to ever deliver a speech at the annual institute luncheon. Typically, three honored AVID students are chosen from hundreds of applicants to speak at the luncheon. “Traditionally, the luncheon is the emotional highlight of the weeklong conference. Students tug at teachers’ emotions with stories of endless hours of sacrifice and dedication, bringing most teachers to tears with reflective tales of selfless teachers and their endless dedication,” Hardy said.

However, this year AVID wanted to hear from a teacher who could tell the assemblage how AVID had affected them and their school. Hardy was chosen based on two essays he submitted to the institute. He tells how his spirit had sagged as time passed, and he had not heard from the institute committee. It was his students who buoyed him with their encouragement. They told their teacher, “You’re always telling us to ‘go for it’ and to not give up. Well, it’s your turn to stick with it and give it your all.”

Weeks passed before he got the e-mail from California stating that he had won the essay contest and the chance to address the conference. “I couldn’t have been more proud,” exclaimed Hardy. “I’d never spoken before a group of 2,000 people before.”

Hardy’s speech, titled “Seeing Life in 4-D,” was delivered during two separate luncheons with attendance for both days nearing 4,500 teachers. The focus of the speech was seeing students’ lives through an additional dimension: the 4th dimension of possibilities. Hardy described how all students deserve a classroom experience in which they can truly discover all of their possibilities. The AVID program enables students to not only discover their true possibilities, but also to cultivate their hidden potential in a safe, non-threatening environment.

Hardy punctuated his speech by pulling out a letter given to him by one of his 2007 graduates. Relishing the letter in his hand, Hardy said, “No CEO ever got one of these.” The ballroom erupted into cheers, with many of the teachers fighting back tears as Hardy read the heart-felt letter, drawing every teacher that much closer to the realization that what they do for a living truly makes a difference in our world. Because AVID nurtures the students, and offers a family-like atmosphere, almost all AVID students succeed in high school and go on to college after graduating..

AVID is data driven, which enables it to stand the test of time and has done so for the last 26 years. The statistics speak for themselves: 86 percent of AVID graduates go on to college, compared to 38 percent for traditional high school graduates. Not only do AVID students graduate from high school and go on to college, they are better prepared for the rigor of college when they get there. Part of AVID’s curriculum requires AVID students to take advanced classes in preparation for college after high school. The AVID curriculum is custom made to ensure student success. The typical AVID week is broken up into two days of college preparation curriculum, two days of tutorials in which students receive help from college tutors, and one motivational day in which students listen to guest speakers, take field trips to local colleges, and participate in team building activities.

Other statistics are demonstrative. AVID students have better attendance rates, fewer discipline referrals, and overall, do better academically than other students in their school. To become part of the AVID program a student must be nominated by a teacher, or they could nominate themselves if they are truly motivated and determined to work hard in hopes of bettering themselves.

If parents think their child might be interested in becoming part of the AVID family, please contact San Marcos High School at 393-6800 and ask to speak with a counselor.

Hardy is excited about the new school year…a brand new building, a talented pool of students, and a progressive AVID program. The possibilities are endless.

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