AVID

AVID's Mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.

AVID student profile:

• Average to high test scores
• 2.0 - 3.5 grade point average
• College potential with support
• Desire and determination

The AVID student meets one or more of the following criteria:

• First in family to attend college
• Historically least served in four-year colleges (e.g., underrepresented as a racial or ethnic group)
• Low income
• Special Circumstances

At what grade can students join AVID?

• Incoming Freshman and Sophomores can join AVID. Incoming Juniors are accepted under special circumstances if there’s room.

What is the process for joining AVID?

• First, fill out the application COMPLETELY (see attachment) and submit either to your middle school AVID teacher or Leann Marshall either via email (lmarshall@powayusd.com) or by dropping off the hardcopy application at RBHS's front desk. Mrs. Marshall's email is: lmarshall@powayusd.com
• Next you will be scheduled for an interview with an AVID staff member either on your middle school campus or at RBHS. Interviews last about 10 minutes and are designed to get to know the student and their circumstances better. Please arrive on time for your interview.
• Once you are admitted to the RBHS AVID program, fill out the Program Change Request Form. (can we put a link to the form here?) In the Add box write: AVID 1-2 (freshman), AVID 3-4 (sophomores) or AVID 5-6 (juniors) and your choice of class in the Drop box. Submit the form via email or hardcopy to your counselor.

What if I apply to RBHS AVID but end up attending a different high school?

• The AVID application is the same for all High Schools in Poway Unified so there is no need to fill out another form. However, you will need to either email or turn in a hardcopy of your application to the AVID Coordinator at the high school you are attending and apply to their program.
• If you have been admitted to RBHS AVID, that admission transfers to any high school in PUSD as long as there is room in the AVID elective. Please communicate with the AVID Coordinator at the high school you are attending to let them know you have been admitted to our program but will not be attending RBHS.
• Please notify us via email or phone that you will not be attending RBHS so that we may make room in our elective for other students.

We have no field trips planned at this time.

Find SAT registration, test dates and FREE online practice at: http://sat.collegeboard.org/home

Find ACT registration, test dates and FREE online practice at:  http://www.actstudent.org/

SAT and ACT FAQs

Which test should I take?

• Nearly every college across the U.S. accepts either test (please be sure to check if you have a specific school in mind) so choose the test best for you.
• If you are a pretty good test taker (multiple choice is your friend) the SAT might suit you better. The SAT is a reasoning test and not content specific (meaning it's not based on the content of your classes).
• If testing taking is difficult for you and multiple choice questions just make it worse, consider taking the ACT. It is still an multiple choice test but is content based and so is more similar to what you are learning in school. The ACT has a science section but the SAT does not. AVID students typically perform better on the ACT but not in every case. •Consider taking an SAT and an ACT your junior year to see on which test you perform better. Then retake just that test for a better score.

How many times should I take the ACT/SAT?

The average high school student takes the SAT 3 times in their high school career. This is just an average, so please keep your personal scores and circumstances in mind.

When should I take the ACT/SAT?

• Each student is different but there are some basic guidelines. Please keep your personal scores and circumstances in mind when deciding what to do when.
• Start Junior year taking the SAT or ACT. Be sure you are enrolled in or have completed Alg 3-4 as this is roughly the highest level math on the test. Consider taking your first test in the fall or winter and then retaking the test in the early or late spring.
• Take the SAT Subject Tests in the late spring (May or June) after your AP Tests; if you take the same SAT Subject test as you did AP Test, you really only have to study once!
• Be sure to take the SAT or ACT at least ONCE your Junior year so you are ready for college applications your Senior year.
• If you are taking the SAT or ACT your Senior year, take it in September or October. December might be too late to meet the application deadline depending on your school and situation.

Do I have to take the SAT Subject Test?

UC and most Private colleges require TWO SAT Subject Tests. So if you are even thinking of applying to either type of these schools, take the Subject Tests. Most schools heavily weight the Subject Test scores (more that the traditional SAT or ACT) so you might consider taking the Subject Tests more than once. Please check the specific requirements for the school(s) you have in mind.