On Wednesday, May 6, Yale Elementary celebrated its designation as an AVID National Demonstration School. They are the first and only elementary school in Texas to be awarded this honor. The designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate exemplary college readiness and academic excellence. This prestigious honor is held by less than 3% of all AVID-certified schools, approximately 200 schools worldwide.
For Yale Elementary students, age-appropriate active learning strategies like WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) fundamentals begin as early as Pre-K. Learning is designed to boost student engagement, critical thinking, and academic success across all content areas and be woven into the Roadrunner culture.
When speaking to the students and staff at Yale, Superintendent Branum said, “It means so much to have this banner inside your school, and all the opportunities it brings. It means you’ll have other learners, staff, principals, other superintendents, who come here and learn from you, to be inspired by you and follow your lead.” She speaks a message of encouragement, “You can and will be anything you want to be, that whatever your biggest dreams are for yourself, you have the strategies that allow you to achieve.”
Demonstration Schools undergo a rigorous validation process and are required to be revalidated every few years to ensure high levels of implementation through rigorous, supportive learning environments. The process includes certification criteria, data review, on-site observations, and more. As teaching and learning centers, AVID Demonstration Schools:
- Show AVID impact schoolwide
- Model best practices
- Pilot emerging products and strategies
- Host visiting educators for observation
Richardson ISD is now home to four AVID National Demonstration Schools: Yale Elementary, Richardson West Junior High, Berkner High School, and Richardson High School. Learn more about how AVID is integrated in our elementary and secondary schools.
