North Albany Academy Principal Lesley Buff began implementing AVID at her school three years ago. During a workshop on goal-setting at that time, she wrote on a small card that her goal was to become an AVID Showcase School.
On Feb. 1, Buff’s dream became a reality when educators from across the northeast visited North Albany to see the exemplary progress she, her staff and her students have made with AVID.
AVID—or Advancement Via Individual Determination—is a proven educational system in use across the country designed to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.
Now fully immersed in AVID, being selected as a Showcase School gave North Albany the opportunity to display its success to 32 visiting educators from eight different school districts. The showcase included an overview of North Albany’s AVID journey, student-guided tours of the building, classroom visits and student, staff and leadership panels.
“I can’t even begin to describe how proud I am of our students and staff,” Buff said. “To see their hard work and dedication to success showcased as an example to other schools is beyond amazing.”
“The culture that they’ve developed in the building is unbelievable, and shows their kids that they will be career and college ready when they graduate from the City School District of Albany,” said AVID Program Manager Pam Leibring, who supports schools throughout the northeastern region of the AVID Center and helped select North Albany for this distinction.
One parent echoed these sentiments and was moved to tears while describing the positive growth she has seen in her fourth-grade son since he arrived at North Albany and began working with AVID.
Delaware Community School is currently working toward full AVID implementation as well, with a primary focus on grades 3-5 in its first year of implementation. AVID is also present at the secondary level in the form of elective classes as well as teachers trained to use AVID strategies on a daily basis.
To learn more, check out this video or visit avid.org.
To view photos from the showcase, click here.
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The mission of the City School District of Albany is to work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. The district serves nearly 9,700 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.
