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FONTANA, CA- Fontana High School has been re-designated as an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) National Demonstration School, retaining the status it has held since 2006 as a high- achieving academic organization and exemplary learning center for other schools and districts across the nation to model after.
Fontana High is one of about 5,600 AVID schools in 44 states, the District of Columbia and 16 countries and U.S. territories to achieve the elite status, demonstrating its proven ability to employ AVID tools school-wide to boost the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities.
“It is a tremendous honor to be re-selected as a National Demonstration School and sustain a strong program that has helped catapult our students to post-secondary success and opened up a wealth of opportunities,” Fohi Principal Ofelia Hinojosa said. “We are proud of our teachers, counselors and staff who constantly work to engage and empower our students and are committed to ensuring a college- ready student body.”
Fohi was among 75 schools in the nation to be recognized earlier this year as a Schoolwide Site of Distinction, a new honor given to a select few AVID schools for their extensive commitment to providing students with college preparation resources. The distinction put Fohi’s college and career readiness program in the top 2 percent of all AVID programs in the nation.
“This re-designation is a testament to the flourishing culture of continued support Fohi nurtures to ensure our students are well-prepared for collegiate life,” Fontana Unified Interim Superintendent Randal Bassett said. “From guiding our teachers and staff with professional development to helping them refine AVID strategies in the classroom, Fohi continues to be a premier institution that positively influences our students’ dreams to pursue higher education. Congratulations to the Fohi team.”
The AVID program is designed to narrow the achievement gap between the lowest- and highest- performing students and increase the number who enroll in four-year colleges. At Fohi, 26.2 percent of students are in the AVID program, 50.3 percent of AVID students make up the total enrollment in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, 100 percent of AVID students apply to four-year universities and 98.6 percent are accepted. Additionally, all AVID tutors at the school are Fohi graduates.
Fohi puts AVID principles into practice in every class, implementing collaborative study groups, tutorials, self-assessments and focused note-taking techniques that promote quality reading strategies.
The school has implemented a college-going culture through rigor and high expectations for all students, all while providing motivation, guidance and support to students as they pursue post-secondary opportunities.
“Fohi’s AVID program effectively demonstrates the dedication our teachers and staff have to supporting all students, increasing access to high-quality educational programs and rigorous coursework, and providing our students an environment that is conducive to their academic growth,” Fontana Unified Co- Interim Superintendent Dr. John Porter said. “We are proud that one of our schools can continue to serve as a model of exemplary leadership.”
