Course Catalogue

AVID—Advancement Via Individual Determination—fosters a safe and open culture, high expectations for teachers and students, and collaboration in all classrooms. AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.   

Our nation’s schools are full of students who possess a desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard, but many of them do not truly have the opportunity to be college-ready. These are often the students who will be the first in their families to attend college and are from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education. AVID Secondary equips teachers and schools with what they need to help these students succeed on a path to college and career success.

To address this need, AVID has developed the AVID Elective course. For one period a day, students receive the additional academic, social, and emotional support that will help them succeed in their school’s most rigorous courses. Districts have the flexibility to decide how many AVID Elective classes to start and which grade levels will implement AVID first. 

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an academic elective course that prepares students for college readiness and success, and it is scheduled during the regular school day as a year-long course. Each week, students receive instruction that utilizes a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum provided by AVID Center, tutor-facilitated study groups, motivational activities, and academic success skills. In AVID, students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading to support their academic growth. Additionally, students engage in activities centered around exploring college and career opportunities and their own agency. 

AVID 1        379990CW
Credit: 1 unit
Some students will have previous experience with AVID in the middle school grades, and some students will be experiencing AVID for the first time. Either way, the 9th grade AVID Elective course will serve as a review of the AVID philosophy and strategies. Students will work on academic and personal goals and communication, adjusting to the high school setting. Students will increase their awareness of their personal contributions to their learning as well as their involvement in their school and community. There is an emphasis on analytical writing, focusing on personal goals and thesis writing. Students will work in collaborative settings, learning how to participate in collegial discussions and use sources to support their ideas and opinions. Students will prepare for and participate in college entrance and placement exams while refining study skills and test-taking, 
note-taking, and research techniques. They will take an active role in field trips and guest-speaker preparations and presentations. Their college research will include financial topics and building their knowledge of colleges and careers of interest.

AVID 2        379991CW
Credit: 1 unit
During the 10th grade AVID Elective course, students will refine the AVID strategies to meet their independent needs and learning styles. Students will continue to refine and adjust their academic learning plans and goals, increasing awareness of their actions and behaviors. As students increase their rigorous course load and school/community involvement, they will refine their time-management and study skills accordingly. Students
will expand their writing portfolio to include analyzing prompts, supporting arguments and claims, character analysis, and detailed reflections. Students will also analyze various documents in order to participate in collaborative discussions and develop leadership skills in those settings. Students will expand their vocabulary use, continuing to prepare for college entrance exams. Text analysis will focus on specific strategies to understand complex texts. Lastly, students will narrow down their colleges and careers of interest based on their personal interests and goals.

AVID 3        379992CW
Credit: 1 unit
The 11th grade AVID Elective course is the first part in a junior/senior seminar course that
focuses on writing and critical thinking expected of first- and second-year college students. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID seminar, there are college-bound activities, methodologies, and tasks that should be undertaken during the junior year to support students when they apply to four-year universities and confirm their postsecondary plans.

AVID 4        379993CW
Credit: 1 unit
The 12th grade AVID Elective course is the second part in a junior/senior seminar course that focuses on the writing and critical thinking expected of first- and second-year college students. Students will complete a final research essay project with research skills gained in their junior year in AVID. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID senior seminar, there are college-bound activities, methodologies, and tasks that should be achieved during the senior year that support students as they apply to four-year universities and confirm their postsecondary plans. All AVID seniors are required to develop and present a portfolio representing their years of work in the AVID program, as well as complete the requirements for the seminar course.

The Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Program prepares students for responsible leadership roles while promoting scholastic excellence and an awareness of their rights, responsibilities, and privileges as American citizens. The program is a stimulus for promoting graduation from high school and provides instruction, training, and rewarding opportunities that will benefit the JROTC cadet, the community, and ultimately, the nation. Students enrolled in JROTC classes must meet US military standards and wear a uniform at least once each week. Uniforms, which are US Government property, are issued at no charge to the student but must be returned at the end of the year. Absolutely no military obligation is incurred as a result of enrollment in the JROTC program. Various branches of the military are offered at each high school.

The Multilingual Learner Program (MLP) is designed for students who bring a diverse cultural and linguistic identity to strengthen our classrooms and communities. These students speak multiple languages, and are working to increase their academic language skills in English.

Multilingual Learner Program Literacy, 308500CW/Multilingual Learner Program 1, 308400CW/ Multilingual Learner Program 2/408000CW

Students with English Proficiency Score in the 1.0-1.9 range

These courses give entering multilingual learners the life skills needed for school and real-world communication. Multilingual learners build language skills primarily in listening and speaking formats and are introduced to the foundations of English phonics and syntax through reading and writing. Instruction in basic reading and writing skills and assistance with computer skills are given as needed.

Multilingual Learner Program 3 / 408100CW/ Credit: 1 unit

Students with English Proficiency Score in the 2.0-2.4 range

In this course, emerging multilingual learners continue to build language skills in the four domains of language: listening, reading, writing, and speaking formats. Classes stress interdisciplinary academic vocabulary through varied topics of study. Multilingual learners study diverse literary genres and complete leveled reading assignments. In addition, multilingual learners write, revise, and edit in a variety of styles.

Multilingual Learner Program 4/ 408200CW/ Credit: 1 unit

Students with English Proficiency Score in the 2.5-2.9 range

This course is for developing multilingual learners. Multilingual learners build academic reading and writing skills while furthering their fluency in speaking and comprehension in listening. Classes stress interdisciplinary academic vocabulary through a variety of topics of study. Multilingual learners study diverse literary genres and complete leveled reading assignments. In addition, multilingual learners write, revise, and edit in a variety of styles.

Multilingual Learner Program 5, 408700CW/ Multilingual Learner Program/Credit: 1 unit each 6, if needed, 408800CW

Students with English Proficiency Score in the 2.5-2.9 range

This course is for developing multilingual learners. Multilingual learners build academic reading and writing skills while furthering their fluency in speaking and comprehension in listening. Classes stress interdisciplinary academic vocabulary through a variety of topics of study. Multilingual learners study diverse literary genres and complete leveled reading assignments. In addition, multilingual learners write, revise, and edit in a variety of styles.

Richland School District Two’s Career and Technology Education (CTE) program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed for a wide range of careers and further educational opportunities. As a leader in preparing students to be college and career ready, CTE provides:

Core Academic Skills: Practical application of academic knowledge to workplace and daily life situations.

Employability Skills: Critical thinking, responsibility, and other essential skills for success in any career field.

Technical Skills: Job-specific expertise tailored to various career pathways.

Support Lab Programs

This course is offered to students in grades nine through twelve who meet federal guidelines for placement as a resource student and have a current Individual Education Program (IEP) on file. Students receive support from a certified special education teacher and the opportunity for one-on-one tutoring in a small classroom setting. The focus in the Academic Support Lab is teaching students study skills, organizational skills, and self-advocacy as well as remediation in ELA and math skills to enhance their progress toward independence and self-sufficiency and to ease the transition from high school to post-secondary opportunities.

Special Education Self-Contained Programs

Composed of classes in the following categories: MultiCategorical, Emotionally Disabled, and Moderate Intellectual Disabled. Students served in these programs meet federally mandated requirements and have an IEP. The focus is preparing students for life after high school.

All students receive preparation in functional academics, post-secondary education, community experiences, and daily living skills

Special Education Credential Programs

The purpose of the SC High School Credential is to provide equitable job-readiness opportunities for these students throughout the state, to ensure they have evidence of employability skills, and to honor the work they have undertaken in our public schools. The credential is not a diploma and the decision to be a part of the credential program is made at the IEP team meeting.