To the West Orange Board of Education and District Administration:

We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the elimination of the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program at West Orange High School. We urge the Board and administration to reconsider this decision and preserve a program that has had a meaningful impact on students' academic achievement, college readiness, and future success. West Orange High School (WOHS) reports that AVID students statistically score over 20% higher on standardized tests and achieve higher college acceptance rates compared to non-AVID peers with similar academic backgrounds.

AVID is not simply another elective. It is a nationally recognized, evidence-based, college- and career-readiness program that qualifies as an eligible support provider under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). It is designed to help students develop the academic, organizational, and leadership skills necessary to succeed in rigorous coursework and beyond high school. Through structured support, tutoring, collaboration, critical thinking, note-taking strategies, college visits, and mentoring, AVID helps students bridge the gap between potential and achievement.

For many students — particularly first-generation college-bound students and those who may not otherwise have access to extensive academic support systems — AVID provides a roadmap for success. It teaches students how to advocate for themselves, manage their workload, develop strong study habits, and navigate the often-complex college admissions process. These are life-changing skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Eliminating AVID would disproportionately affect students who rely on the program's guidance and support. While high-achieving students often have access to outside resources, tutoring, and family experience with higher education, AVID serves students who may need additional encouragement and structure to reach their full potential. Without the program, many students will lose access to college preparation opportunities, academic mentoring, peer support networks, and exposure to postsecondary pathways that can shape their futures.

The loss of AVID would also diminish West Orange High School's commitment to educational equity and contradict the district's 5-Year Plan, which includes the following goal:

"Strengthen student achievement through continued rigorous instruction, effective curriculum implementation, a robust multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) and meaningful family engagement, while promoting student wellness and ensuring equitable access to meet the diverse academic, cultural, linguistic, and social-emotional needs of all learners."

Dismantling the AVID program runs directly counter to this commitment. It creates opportunities for students who demonstrate determination and potential but face obstacles that make college and career planning more challenging. Removing that support sends the wrong message to students who are working hard to overcome barriers and pursue ambitious goals.

Beyond academics, AVID helps build confidence, leadership, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Students learn to collaborate, communicate effectively, and develop the self-discipline required for success in college, careers, and life. The relationships formed within AVID often become a critical source of encouragement and accountability during a student's high school years.

West Orange High School has long been recognized for providing rigorous and comprehensive opportunities that help students become lifelong learners and engaged members of their communities. The district's plan includes collaborating with WOW and leveraging MTSS to further advance equity.

The AVID program is central to your own strategic plan across five key areas:

1. Targeted Academic Support and Enrichment: AVID expands MTSS and enrichment programs to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring every student has access to appropriate challenges and support.
2. Evidence-Based Curriculum: AVID meets the rigorous evaluation standards required by the U.S. Department of Education's What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) and qualifies as an eligible support provider under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
3. Equitable School Culture: AVID shifts from academic tracking — sorting students by past performance — to academic untracking, providing equal access to advanced coursework. It actively targets the "academic middle": students who have high potential but lack the resources, support, or advocacy to navigate advanced academic tracks on their own.
4. Student Well-Being and SEL: A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that AVID participation is linked to healthier peer networks, lower stress, and reduced substance use among adolescents.
5. Family Engagement and Communication: AVID treats parents and caregivers as essential partners in their child's academic and college-readiness journey. Because many AVID students are first-generation college-bound, the program intentionally demystifies complex school and higher education systems for the entire household.

The AVID program aligns directly with the district's mission. Eliminating it would remove an important pathway that helps students not only graduate, but thrive after graduation.

We ask the Board of Education and district leadership to carefully consider the long-term consequences of eliminating AVID. The financial savings of cutting the program must be weighed against the educational, social, and future opportunities that students stand to lose. Preserving AVID is an investment in student success, equity, and the future of the West Orange community.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and commitment to the students of West Orange High School.

We are asking the Board to:

1. Preserve the AVID program at West Orange High School
2. Prioritize equity and evidence-based programming in budget decisions
3. Listen to the students and families this decision directly impacts

Sign this petition to send a clear message: our students deserve this support.