The Lawrence Township School Foundation is pleased to report that USA Funds has continued its partnership to help fund the district's AVID program.  USA Funds donated $100,000 this year to support AVID.

AVID, Advancement via Individual Determination, is a college-preparedness program getting amazing results at over 4,500 schools in the country.  AVID students are students in the academic middle, falling short of their full potential.  They enroll in the school's most challenging courses, and AVID provides the support the students need to be successful. 

As with AVID nationally, the goal of AVID in Lawrence Township is to close the achievement gap by helping to prepare all students for college readiness and success in a global society.  Currently, in Lawrence Township, we have the AVID program available in our two high schools, Lawrence Central (LC) and Lawrence North (LN), and our three middle schools, Craig (CMS), Fall Creek Valley (FCV), and Belzer.  In the 2010-2011 school year, the District has restructured the middle school curriculum to include just 7^th and 8^th grade--6^th graders will attend elementary school.  Therefore, CMS will be closing at the end of this school year.  We will continue the same robust program at Belzer and FCV. 

In Lawrence Township middle schools, the enrollment in our elective classes has increased.  Most of the students have shown improvement in grades and the added accountability has been beneficial to their overall performance in school.  We consistently see about 85% of our students continue in AVID when they reach high school.  In Lawrence Township high schools, 90% of AVID graduates were accepted into a four-year college.  One 2010 graduate, Andrea Perkins, is also recognized in the Top 30 Academic Scholars, which is a first for the AVID program.  Ellen Robinson, Director of the Lawrence Township School Foundation explains, "What AVID does for young people is instill confidence...the confidence to believe in themselves, achieve academically and be courageously who they are.  USA Funds understands this and we are thrilled about our continued partnership and grateful for USA Funds support of this vision."      

2010 marks the tenth year that USA Funds has provided significant funding for AVID.  The Lawrence Township School Foundation greatly appreciates our continued relationship with USA Funds to promote this phenomenal program.  The mission of the Lawrence Township School Foundation is to encourage and support creativity, innovation and excellence that enhance the educational community of the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township.  Our vision is to create a New Reality in Lawrence Township.  For more information, please call 317.423.8300.