Bayshore Elementary School is laying the foundation for successful futures by fully embracing AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination, a program that has transformed students’ lives for more than 45 years. This year marks an exciting milestone: AVID has been implemented in every classroom on campus, from Pre-K through fifth grade. As of today, Bayshore is the only elementary school offering the program.
Under the leadership of Principal Melinda Lundy, Assistant Principal Kimberly DeLeo, and AVID Coordinator Adrienne Ward, Bayshore has committed to creating a schoolwide culture of high expectations, organization, and student empowerment. Their vision and dedication have made it possible for every child on campus to access AVID’s powerful college- and career-readiness strategies, starting from the earliest grades.
On Friday, Bayshore joined schools across the country in celebrating the powerful impact of AVID. Students were invited to dress up as the careers they hope to pursue, from engineers and veterinarians to athletes and military heroes, or proudly wear their brand-new AVID T-shirts, provided through a district partnership with Manatee Apparel. The backs of the shirts boldly read: "Yes, I can!", a message that echoes throughout every hallway and classroom.
Inside the vibrant, student-centered classrooms, the energy was unmistakable. Students were engaged, focused, and collaborating with purpose. Visitors, including district leader Jamara Clark, witnessed students showcasing research papers, participating in a student-led gallery walk, and conducting a Socratic Seminar, a student-driven discussion where learners explore complex ideas through open-ended questions, active listening, and critical thinking.
The impact of AVID was evident not only in classroom instruction but in the voices of the students themselves:
Jordan, 4th grade, who dreams of becoming an engineer, shared: "I have better cooperation, organization, and determination because of AVID."
Avery, 4th grade, hopes to become a veterinarian and begin volunteering with animals next summer. She said, "Because of AVID, I know where all my materials are for school, and my grades have been getting better."
Ylianna, 5th grade, wants to be a veteran like her father or a basketball player like her former teacher, Mr. Rostampour: "Because of AVID, I have better grades, and I am focused in class."
Carlos, 4th grade, dreams of being a soccer player so he can donate money to charity: "AVID helps me stay organized and I can find stuff in my binder way easier and faster."
Hunter, 5th grade, has his sights set on the NFL: "Thanks to AVID, I'm a better notetaker and better listener in class."
Classrooms buzzed with positivity and celebration as students cheered each other on with spirited AVID chants like “The Sparkle,” “The Roller Coaster,” “The Cheese Greater,” and more, fostering a culture of encouragement and shared success.
At Bayshore Elementary, AVID is more than a program - it’s a movement. With the guidance of committed leaders like Principal Lundy, Mrs. DeLeo, and Dr. Ward, and a school filled with dedicated educators, AVID is helping students dream big, build essential life and academic skills, and believe in their ability to succeed.
Because at Bayshore, every student wears the words proudly: "Yes, I can!"