Patapsco High Named AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction

Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts in Dundalk has been certified as an AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction for the 2022-2023 school year. (AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, a college readiness program.)

Patapsco High is the fourth BCPS school to be named an AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction.

The other three are Dundalk Middle School, New Town High School, and Pikesville High School.

“We are so proud of Patapsco High School for earning this recognition,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams.

“AVID is an important initiative in BCPS, ensuring that our students in elementary, middle, and high schools are better prepared for higher education.
Earning Schoolwide Site of Distinction honors underscores our commitment to implementing AVID with fidelity.”

“Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts worked so hard for this well-deserved recognition,” said
Dr. Heather Wooldridge, BCPS coordinator of college and career readiness.

“Most impressive is that they didn’t do the work for the recognition; they did the work because it is what is right for the school community.”

The AVID program at Patapsco High began in 2006 with one section of 20 students in Grade 9.

Now, under the leadership of Lori Powers, AVID coordinator at Patapsco, the school has nine AVID sections
serving 175 students in Grades 9-12.

For the past 10 years, all Patapsco High AVID seniors have been accepted into colleges. The school’s Class of 2022 AVID seniors earned more than $6.7 million in “All AVID students participate in extracurricular activities, such as athletics, student leadership, clubs, and volunteer services,” said Powers.

“In addition, the students conduct two service fundraisers each year to benefit local nonprofits like the Maryland Food Bank.”

AVID Schoolwide Sites of Distinction are recognized for their exacting implementation of AVID and for
demonstrating that AVID positively impacts students across the entire campus.

To become an AVID Schoolwide Site of Distinction, 60 percent of teachers need to be certified as AVID Center-trained by either attending a three-day AVID Summer Institute or by participating in 12 hours of AVID professional learning workshops during one school year; school leadership must be actively involved in the workings of the AVID site team; and AVID strategies must be routinely used across content areas.

Benjamin Joseph

Benjamin Joesph has covered news in Eastern Baltimore County since 2006. He started as a reporter with the original East County Times in 2006. He started East Baltco News and later Eastcountytimes.com in 2022.

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