High schools across the country are offering an elective class that advocates say gives middle-of-the-road students extra support as they prepare for college.

AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a nonprofit college-readiness program designed to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in college. The program places special emphasis on growing writing, critical thinking, teamwork, organization and reading skills.  

"AVID lessons are also designed around teaching tenacity, grit, perseverance, persistence," says Lori Wyborney, principal of Rogers High School in Spokane, Washington.

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