Haltom High Showcases AVID Program as National Demonstration School

Haltom High School welcomed more than 130 educators, district leaders and AVID program representatives on October 22 for an AVID Showcase highlighting the campus’s designation as an AVID National Demonstration School.

Students and cheerleaders greeted visitors in the halls as the Haltom High drumline performed. The guests came from schools and districts across the Dallas-Fort Worth region and state, along with national AVID program leaders, to observe the program’s strategies in action.

Haltom High is one of fewer than 50 AVID National Demonstration Schools in Texas. The designation recognizes schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to implementing AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination, through the AVID Elective and schoolwide practices.

The program is designed to help prepare students for success in college, careers and beyond. During the showcase, visitors heard from Haltom students and staff about the program’s impact and saw how the campus uses AVID to develop organization, critical thinking, collaboration and leadership skills.

As a National Demonstration School, Haltom High serves as a model for other schools working to strengthen their AVID implementation. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gayle Stinson said the program helps surround students with educators, peers and experiences that encourage them and expand their view of what they can achieve.

AVID is offered at 14 Birdville ISD schools, including elementary, middle and high schools and the Collegiate Academy of Birdville. The district said the program is used as a schoolwide approach focused on strong systems, inclusive cultures, purposeful instruction and shared leadership.

The AVID campuses named by the district are Mullendore, Smith and West Birdville elementary schools; North Ridge, North Richland, North Oaks, Watauga, Haltom, Smithfield and Richland middle schools; Birdville, Haltom and Griggs high schools; and the Collegiate Academy of Birdville.