Moorpark High School recognized for helping students aspire to college

Moorpark High School was recently recognized by the Advancement Via Individual Determination Center in San Diego.

Out of 3,000 AVID schools nationwide, Moorpark was one of 100 schools named a National Demonstration Site for the program, which supports the college aspirations of students who are under-represented on college campuses, especially minority and economically disadvantaged students.

AVID regional director Phill Britton presented the award to the Moorpark Unified School District Board of Education at Tuesday's school board meeting.

The program at Moorpark High serves 140 students in five classes in which students receive tutoring based on their individual needs, strategies to help them study effectively, and support and encouragement from their teachers and counselor.

Students raise funds to go on field trips to local colleges and universities so they can learn about a variety of post-secondary opportunities. Each class takes two field trips per school year, one college and one cultural trip.

This year, the junior class raised enough money to take a sleepover field trip to UC Riverside. The students toured the campus and spend a night in the college dorms with a host chaperone.

Other AVIDsupported activities this year have included helping students complete college applications and financial aid paperwork.

"We are so proud of the AVID program. This program has had a major positive impact on the rate and numbers of students prepared for and attending colleges and universities. The AVID team of teachers have worked really hard to create a program that provides both access to challenging curriculum and the support needed to be successful in college prep and AP classes," said Assistant Superintendent Anna Merriman.

"We are especially thankful for the leadership provided by Marla Donley, who has invested her time and commitment to making this program successful," she added.