(San Diego, CA) – This week, representatives visited Black Mountain Middle School in the Poway Unified School District to recognize the school as an AVID National Demonstration School. This revalidation marks the school’s tenth year of being recognized nationally for the work being done with students campus wide.
AVID National Demonstration Schools are exemplary models of the AVID College Readiness System. AVID, which stands for Advancement via Individual Determination, fosters a safe and open culture, high expectations for teachers and students, and collaboration in all classrooms to encourage college and career readiness and student success.
AVID Demonstration Schools undergo a rigorous validation process which includes submitted reports and site visits. During the Black Mountain site visit, AVID representatives were impressed by the consistency of classroom instruction and student engagement, the strong systems in place for professional learning, and the intentional support provided to multilingual learners.
The final report noted that, “Black Mountain Middle School (BMMS) exemplifies high expectations, community, and a growth mindset. Working from the premise that AVID is the ‘how’ for its schoolwide and districtwide goals, BMMS is committed to excellence for students and faculty alike. The strong emphasis on ongoing professional learning, integrating AVID throughout the school, and meaningful use of technology are just a few items that stand out in this teaching and learning center.”
Black Mountain Middle School, located in the community of Rancho Peñasquitos, is the only AVID National Demonstration School in PUSD. The school stands out for exceptional implementation of AVID strategies, as well as their commitment to school-wide collaboration, emphasis on evolving strategies, and fostering a culture of excellence. To learn more about AVID, visit the website avid.org.