AVID's mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.

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AVID Elementary at Dorothy L. Sims

1821 Walker Road, Conyers, GA 30094 • 770-922-0666 • ses.rockdaleschools.org


Program Overview:

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It is a program designed to prepare K-12th grade scholars for four-year college eligibility. AVID Center’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all scholars for college and success in a global society. AVID has a proven track record in bringing out the best in students and in closing the achievement gap. Sims’ Scholars in grades Kindergarten-5th will utilize all aspects of the AVID Elementary curriculum.

AVID Elementary classrooms encourage:

• Organizational tool accountability and responsibility
• Use of agenda planner to foster a “plan-ahead” mentality
• SMART goal-setting skills
• Time management skills
• Note-taking strategies (STAR)
• Inquiry method
• Collaborative learning
• Effective reading strategies for comprehension
• Building community with open communication


Components for Scholar Success:

The AVID curriculum is based on rigorous standards and was developed by teachers in collaboration with college professors. It is driven by the WICOR method, which stands for writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading. AVID Elementary promotes student success by implementing specific skills that enable all students to be prepared and organized. These skills are habits, behaviors, and strategies that students can learn, strengthen, and maintain throughout their academic careers. By using these skills daily, scholars become proactive learners who take responsibility for their learning. Thus, the Ivy League culture is attained!

AVID will enlarge our scholars’ landscape for success. Traditionally, scholars have often been asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Through the intentional use of AVID supports, our scholars’ response to this question will encompass such a multifaceted approach to career readiness that they won’t have to be asked, they will show! Their educational journey will leave mountains of evidence that demonstrate their success with writing and reading to learn, inquiry-based problem solving, collaboration, and organizational skills that far surpass the traditional student. AVID Elementary scholars will transition to middle and high school with a fluidity that assures their readiness for secondary education. AVID’s influence will prepare all scholars for lifelong learning.








Mission Statement and Beliefs:

The mission of D.L. Sims Elementary School, a collegiate environment of diverse learners, is to ensure that all scholars Achieve high levels of learning Via academic rigor, relevance, and engaging experiences, while Inspiring each scholar to attain academic excellence through Developed teaching that promotes mastery of 21st century skills needed for communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity preparing ALL scholars for individual and global success. We are an Ivy League
community distinguished by:

• fearless advocates for scholars;
• self-directed scholars;
• empowered collaborative community of stakeholders
• performance-based culture;
• highly effective teachers and instructional support teams.

We believe that scholars are at the core of all decision-making.
We believe that a collaborative partnership involving all stakeholders is an asset to school success.
We believe that all scholars can achieve and grow at high levels.
We believe that a positive school environment is essential to stake-holder engagement.
We believe that each person is responsible for his or her own actions.
We believe that clearly developed and challenging instruction is critical to effective teaching and learning.
We believe that the implementation of AVID prepares all scholars for college, career, and global success.



About SES:

Sims Elementary is a family consisting of a diverse community of learners who are supported by a highly qualified faculty and staff that embraces and encourages the total learning experience for all students.



Additional Academic Services:

Program Challenge,
Scholar Academy.



Opportunities through Partnerships:

School Business Partners provide for a multitude of expanded academic opportunities and enhanced programs for scholars and faculty. There are various levels of business sponsorship for which the participating business enjoys recognition through school communications and events. The levels of sponsorship are as follows:

• Friends of Dorothy L. Sims (Spirit Night Partners).
• Bronze: $100 donation.
• Silver: $300 donation.
• Gold: $500 donation.
• Platinum: $1,000+ donation.