Murrieta Middle School Earns AVID Designation, One Of 200 US Schools

MURRIETA, CA—Murrieta Valley Unified School District announced that a Murrieta Middle School earned a national honor this week.

Warm Springs Middle School was selected as a National Demonstration School by the Advancement Via Individual Determination, or AVID, as it is more commonly called. The nonprofit organization provides educators with proven, real-world strategies to accelerate the performance of underrepresented students so that these students and all students across the campus succeed in college, careers, and life.

According to the district, Warm Springs Middle School joins approximately 200 other AVID National Demonstration Schools. It was selected through an application process, screening, and review, which included a site visit.

"AVID is implemented in more than 8,000 schools in 49 states across the U.S., plus schools in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Canada, and Australia, impacting more than 2 million students in grades PreK–12 and postsecondary institutions," a spokesperson for the district said.

AVID Chief Executive Officer Thuan Nguyen spoke on the significance of attaining Demonstration Site recognition.

“Schools recognized as National Demonstration Sites have proven their ability to successfully implement the AVID Elective course and take the strategies schoolwide to impact all students,” Nguyen said. “Warm Springs Middle School was selected as an AVID National Demonstration School because it has implemented the AVID system throughout the school and can serve as a model for new AVID sites.”

The recognition of being an AVID National Demonstration School was established in 1993 with a $250,000 award from the Charles A. Dana Foundation of New York.

As part of the AVID Demonstration Sites Network, the middle school will be expected to develop a model program with schoolwide participation.

With AVID’s proven methodologies used throughout subject-area classes, performance levels improve for all students, especially those who are the least likely to attend four-year colleges. Schools worldwide preparing to implement the AVID system will visit Demonstration Schools like this one to observe a highly evolved AVID system.

Terry Picchiottino, Principal of Warm Springs Middle School, spoke on what it means for teh school to be selected as an AVID National Demonstration School, noting the impact of the program on staff and students.

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected as a National Demo Site, and we are proud of our AVID program and our school as a whole,” Picchiottino said. “The use of AVID strategies schoolwide has positively impacted students and staff, and we continue to see a more engaged and college/career-ready student body.”

Murrieta Valley USD Superintendent Dr. Andrus also spoke on the designation.

“We are incredibly proud of Warm Springs Middle School for earning the distinction of being named an AVID National Demonstration School," Andrus said. "The recognition is a testament to the dedication of our educators, the hard work of our students, and the culture of learning at Warm Springs that positions students towards academic excellence. As a national model, WSMS will inspire other schools in implementing these transformative practices, furthering our mission to ensure every student thrives.”