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Marshall High School AVID Program

Jennifer Risius
AVID Teacher and Site Coordinator
210-397-7100 EXT. 003205
Email: jennifer.risius@nisd.net

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.

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


The AVID Student

An AVID student is one with academic potential. These students must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • First generation (parents did not graduate from college)
  • Earn average to high grades
  • Earn average to high test scores (class tests, benchmarks & STAAR)
  • Have good attendance and good behavior
  • Have the potential to go to college
  • Have the desire and determination to accomplish their goals
  • May be:
    • Economically disadvantaged
    • In a single-parent household
    • In a group typically underrepresented in colleges/universities


AVID Students Will:

  • Learn organization and note-taking skills
  • Participate in tutorials
  • Succeed in rigorous curriculum (required advanced classes)
  • Participate in extracurricular activities
  • Become active members of the school and surrounding community


HS Advanced Academics Requirements

AVID students are required to take at least one Advanced Academics course, with two being encouraged.

SubjectCourse Options
EnglishAdv English I, Adv English II, English IV Dual Credit Honors, UT OnRamps Rhetoric and Writing, English III AP, English III AP/Dual Credit, English IV AP, English IV AP/Dual Credit, English IVHD
MathAdv Algebra I, Adv Geometry, Adv Algebra II, Precalculus H, Adv Precalculus, College Algebra H, College Algebra D, College Algebra OR, OnRamps Statistics, OnRamps College Algebra, AP Precalculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus AB D, AP Calculus BC, AP Calculus BC D, AP Statistics, AP Statistics D
ScienceAdv Biology, Adv Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology H, Biotechnology I D, Medical Microbiology D, AP Biology, AP Biology D, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Environmental Science D, AP Physics I, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C Mechanics (yearlong), OnRamps Biology, OnRamps Chemistry, OnRamps Physics, OnRamps Physics 2, OnRamps Geoscience
Social StudiesAdv World Geography, Adv Constitutional Studies, World History Studies Dual, Adv World History, US History Studies Since Reconstruction Dual, US Government Dual, Economics w/ Emphasis on Free Enterprise Systems Dual, Special Topics: World Area Studies Honors, AP European History, AP Human Geography (incorporating World Geography Studies), AP Macroeconomics, AP Macroeconomics Dual, AP Microeconomics, AP Microeconomics Dual, AP US Government and Politics (incorporating US Government), AP US Government and Politics Dual, AP US History (incorporating US History Studies TEKS), AP US History TEKS Dual, AP World History TEKS, OnRamps US History
World LanguagesAdv French, Adv German, Adv Spanish, Adv French 2, Adv German 2, Adv Spanish 2, Adv French 3, Adv German 3, Adv Spanish 3, Spanish 3 Dual, French 4 AP, German 4 AP, Spanish 4 AP, Spanish 5 AP, Spanish 6 H, Adv Latin 2, Adv Latin 3, Latin 4 AP, ASL 2 H, ASL 3 H, ASL 4 H
Fine ArtsArt History AP, Art Appreciation Dual, Theatre Appreciation Dual Credit
CTEAP Computer Science Principles, OnRamps Computer Science, Computer Science 1 Adv, AP Computer Science A, Computer Science H, Computer Science 2 H, Computer Science 3 H, Anatomy and Physiology H, Anatomy and Physiology D, Cyber Internetworking II D M


What Do Students Do in AVID?

Students receive additional academic, social, and emotional support that helps them succeed in school. AVID standards focus on the following:

  • Student agency
    • Student empowerment
    • Leadership of others
  • Rigorous academic preparedness
    • Writing
    • Inquiry
    • Collaboration
    • Organization
    • Reading
  • Opportunity knowledge
    • Advancing college preparedness
    • Building career knowledge

Interested in Applying?

All students must complete the application and interview process.
Applications and interviews will take place in early Spring.