MINNEOLA -- Lake Minneola High School has been named a National Demonstration School for AVID, a non-profit organization that works to improve college and career readiness. It is the first high school in the district to earn the recognition and one of just a handful in the state.
“This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication and passion we put in as a school community to ensure every Hawk is prepared for success beyond Lake Minneola,” Principal William Roberts said. “We could not be more proud of this milestone.”
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) aims to narrow the achievement gap between high-performing and lower-performing students. It offers strategies to accelerate the performance of all students so they and their peers succeed in college, career and life. It helps students develop the writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading skills needed to be successful on post-secondary campuses and on career pathways.
"AVID not only impacts the students in the AVID classroom, but the entire campus,” Roberts said. “What we do really well, and what we’ve been recognized for, is ensuring that AVID and the great strategies that prepare our Hawks for life after Minneola impacts every single student in every single classroom. We’re quite proud of that.”
Lake Minneola has three AVID teachers and more than 300 students who participate in the program, which is offered on every high school and middle school campus in Lake County. Lake Minneola on February 6 hosted a showcase for schools across Florida that are exploring the implementation of AVID. The day ended with a celebration.
“We did it!” Lake Minneola AVID Coordinator Kristen Pautienus said. “This is a culmination of 13 years of hard work. It’s really beautiful.”
AVID National Demonstration Schools are selected through a rigorous application process, screening and review, which includes a site visit. They must be revalidated every few years to ensure high levels of implementation.
East Ridge Middle School was the first Lake school to earn the distinction in 2014. Windy Hill Middle was second, earning the recognition in 2020, when Roberts was principal there.
“This recognition validates that we are providing opportunity for all of our students and preparing them for life after Lake Minneola,” Roberts said. “It’s very exciting for us.”
