Corkran Middle School has maintained its place among the nation’s elite AVID institutions as the school has been revalidated as a National Demonstration School for the second time by the organization that oversees the program across the world.
The Advancement Via Individual Determination program, which targets students in the academic middle and helps propel them to successful college careers, exists in about 8,000 schools worldwide, including 49 states and the District of Columbia. Corkran is one of 216 National Demonstration Schools, and one of just three in Maryland.
“Being revalidated as an AVID National Demonstration School is a recognition of the dedicated work of our faculty to champion the AVID mission, but it is also a celebration of our students who embrace our schoolwide AVID strategies and dedicate themselves to making positive choices on a daily basis,” Corkran Principal Michael McCann said. “Our teachers and our students work together each and every day to make Corkran a great place to learn. AVID is more than a program; it’s more than a set of strategies. It is the glue that holds our school and community together, and reaching revalidation status is proof that this mission has value for all members of our school community. I could not be more proud of our staff, who have embraced this mission, and of our students, who reach to meet high expectations every day.”
Corkran received its first designation as a National Demonstration School in April 2016 and its first revalidation in 2017. Schools are re-evaluated through a process that includes an evaluation of curriculum, screening, and site visit.
“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,” AVID Chief Executive Officer Thuan Nguyen said. “Corkran 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.”