Benjamin Banneker Middle School
AVID Program
14800 Perrywood Drive Burtonsville, MD 20866
Dear potential AVID student/parent:
AVID is a program that prepares students for four-year college eligibility. It is the mission of AVID to ensure
ALL students:
will succeed in rigorous curriculum,
will complete a college preparatory path,
will increase their enrollment in four-year colleges, and
will become educated and responsible participants and leaders within their community.
Students accepted in the program will take AVID as one of their seven regularly scheduled classes.
Essentially, the AVID course will replace one of their elective classes, therefore it is important
that students and parents are aware of the AVID Elective class.
Please review the Application packet attached to this letter. If you agree to the student goals and
responsibilities and would like to be considered for this program, please fill out the application and sign it,
have your parents fill out the parent portion and sign, and return it to your contact person grade level
counselor:
 6th Grade:
Mrs. Alexis Lee and Mr. James Paterson
th
 7 Grade:
Ms. Tara Richards
 8th Grade:
Mrs. Wilma Drake
If you have any questions about this program, please contact Mr. Troy Horsley.
Sincerely,
Troy Horsley
Site Coordinator, Benjamin Banneker Middle School
[email protected]
Application deadline Monday, February 29th
AVID Application Checklist
Before turning in your AVID application please make sure this checklist is complete!
____
____
____
____
____
Student Information Sheet
Parent Information Sheet
Interview Question Sheet
Copy of current quarter grades
2 Teacher Recommendations have been requested from


Teacher #1 Name __________________________
Teacher #2 Name __________________________
____ Return application to your teacher before the deadline.
Next Steps:
The AVID coordinator will contact your parent/guardian to schedule an interview to determine if AVID is a
right fit for the student.
The AVID site team will use the student application, the student interview, teacher recommendations, and
data such as GPA, academic performance, attendance records, etc. to determine whether or not AVID is the
appropriate placement for the student.
The AVID coordinator will contact the parent/guardian and student via letter with a final decision.
Application deadline Monday, February 29th
Student Information Sheet/Application
Please make sure to fill out your application completely and legibly.
Troy Horsley
Site Coordinator, Benjamin Banneker Middle School
[email protected]
STUDENT’S NAME (Please Print)_______________________________________________________
HOME ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________
CITY: _______________________________
ZIP CODE: ________________________
STUDENT’S EMAIL ADDRESS ___________________________________________________
PHONE NUMBER_____________________
GRADE CURRENTLY ENROLLED:______
CURRENT GPA: __________
CURRENT GRADES: Please attach a copy of your 1 st Quarter Grades (print from Edline)
List any Honors level courses you are currently or have pr eviously been enrolled in:
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME (Please Print)_________________________ _______________________________
FATHER’S EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Attended Diploma/Degree
High School
Community College
Four Year University
yes no
yes no
yes no
yes no
MOTHER’S EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Attended Diploma/Degree
High School
Community College
Four Year University
yes no
yes no
yes no
yes no
Please read and sign below :
I understand that being part of the AVID program involves a commitment to the educational process and I wish
to actively participate. I also understand that the AVID class will be an elective class offered during the regular
school day. I am applying for the AVID program for the 2016-2017 school year. I understand that my
commitment will extend throughout my middle school experience. My parents/guardian will support me fully in
this commitment.
STUDENT SIGNATURE: ___________________________________________ DATE:_____________________
Additional Information About AVID Can Be Found At: avidonline.org
Application deadline Monday, February 29th
Parent/Guardian Information Sheet
FATHER/GUARDIAN NAME:__________________________________________________
ADDRESS:________________________________________________________________
CITY/STATE:____________________________________________ZIP:_______________
HOME PHONE:____________________
WORK PHONE:________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________
MOTHER/GUARDIAN NAME:__________________________________________________
ADDRESS__________________________________________________________ _______
(IF DIFFERENT)
CITY/STATE____________________________________________ZIP__________ _______
(IF DIFFERENT)
HOME PHONE____________________
WORK PHONE_________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF INTENT
I have read the AVID information and commit my full support to my child’s participation.
I understand that meeting the eligibility requirement does not ensure admission to the program and that
the decision of the selection committee will be final.
If my child is accepted to the program, I agree to support his/her p articipation throughout his/her AVID
experience.
In addition, I recognize that my child will have to maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better each year and remain
enrolled in at least one honors class/advanced class to remain in the program.
I will ensure that my child has uninterrupted study time daily and will supervise the use of the study time in
the most productive way.
I will actively collaborate with AVID teachers/counselors regarding further classes and study so
that my child may successfully complete their college prep program.
_________________________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian
______________________________
Date
Additional Information About AVID Can Be Found At: avidonline.org
Application deadline Monday, February 29th
2015-2016
AVID Written Interview
Please answer the following questions using complete sentences, as well as correct grammar,
spelling and punctuation. Use a separate piece of paper for additional space.
Student Name:_____________________________________________
1. Explain what you like most about school. Describe what is most challenging for you in school.
2. What do you think is your strongest academic area? What do you think is your weakest academic area? Why?
3. How do you spend your time outside of school?
4. How do you study for your classes?
5. Explain how you make good use of your time in class.
6. Explain how you react when you are having difficulty with a subject.
7. Do you dream of going to college? What is your plan if you don’t?
8. What questions do you have about the AVID program?
9. Is there anything you would like to tell us about your candidacy for AVID that you have not yet been given the opportunity
to talk/write about?
Teacher Recommendation
Student Name: _________________________ School: _________________
I have decided to apply as a candidate for the AVID program at Benjamin Banneker Middle School
and need a recommendation in order to complete my application. I would appreciate your time
in completing the form. Thank you for your feedback; it is highly valued.
Teacher’s Name: _________________________Subject Taught: ________________
Rate each category on a 1-5 scale
(5 = excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = average, 2 = some difficulty, 1 = not a strength)
Class Attendance
1
2 3 4
5
Ability to Work With Other Students
1
2 3 4
5
Organizational Skills
1
2 3 4
5
Internal Motivation
1
2 3 4
5
Turning Work in on Time
1
2 3 4
5
Written Expression
1
2 3 4
5
Willing to Accept Support
1
2 3 4
5
General Behavior
1
2 3 4
5
How does this student react to academic challenges in your class?
Additional Comments/Concerns
Please place a copy inside of my mailbox as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Mr. Horsley
Teacher Recommendation
Student Name: _________________________ School: _________________
I have decided to apply as a candidate for the AVID program at Benjamin Banneker Middle School
and need a recommendation in order to complete my application. I would appreciate your time
in completing the form. Thank you for your feedback; it is highly valued.
Teacher’s Name: _________________________Subject Taught: ________________
Rate each category on a 1-5 scale
(5 = excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = average, 2 = some difficulty, 1 = not a strength)
Class Attendance
1
2 3 4
5
Ability to Work With Other Students
1
2 3 4
5
Organizational Skills
1
2 3 4
5
Internal Motivation
1
2 3 4
5
Turning Work in on Time
1
2 3 4
5
Written Expression
1
2 3 4
5
Willing to Accept Support
1
2 3 4
5
General Behavior
1
2 3 4
5
How does this student react to academic challenges in your class?
Additional Comments/Concerns
Please place a copy inside of my mailbox as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Mr. Horsley