Lyndonville named ‘District of Distinction’ for college readiness program

Staff Reports Posted 4 March 2015 at 12:00 am

LYNDONVILLE – The school district has been recognized by District Administration magazine as a “District of Distinction” for implementation and success with a college readiness program known as AVID.

Advancement Via Individual Determination is designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges. Although AVID serves all students, it focuses on the least served students in the academic middle. The formula is simple: raise expectations of students and, with the AVID support system in place, they will rise to the challenge, Lyndonville school officials said.

“Over the past several years, AVID has played an integral role in our students’ success, both before and after graduation from Lyndonville,” said Superintendent Jason Smith. “In addition, AVID-trained teachers implement highly effective and engaging teaching strategies in their classrooms, which is also closely aligned to the demands of the Common Core.”

Districts of Distinction is a national recognition program created by District Administration magazine to honor school districts that are leading the way with new ideas that work. Districts of Distinction recognizes initiatives that are yielding quantifiable benefits, and that could be replicated by other districts.

The magazine highlighted 62 districts this month. Lyndonville started AVID at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year with a goal of boosting the academic performance of first-generation college hopefuls in grades 7 through 12.

In addition to implementing the AVID elective, Lyndonville CSD is in the process of creating school-wide and district-wide programs for college success. Since implementing the AVID in 2010 for grades 8 and 9, the program has expanded to all K12 grade levels.

With AVID in place the district has increased AP course enrollment, the passing rate for AP Social Studies assessments, and more students are applying to four-year colleges and receiving acceptance letters, according to District Administration magazine.

“We are pleased to honor Lyndonville as a District of Distinction,” says JD Solomon, editorial director at District Administration magazine. “Like all our honorees, Lyndonville Central School District serves as a model for school leaders across the country.”