The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, in partnership with Madison Metropolitan School District, have announced that 100% of current AVID/TOPS senior class students will graduate from high school this semester and attend college in the fall. These students – along with family members, educators, and special guests celebrated this special decision at College Decision Day program at Madison College on May 14.
“College Decision Day is an incredible event where we are able to recognize and celebrate the achievements of our graduating AVID/TOPS students,” said Michael Johnson, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, in a statement. “This event allows students to share and be proud of what they have achieved. Each and every one of these students has worked very hard, and we are excited to use this night to highlight their accomplishments.”
The students attend Madison La Follette, Memorial, East or West High Schools and have secured more than $1.6M in scholarships to support their college plans.
AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) is a college readiness system that includes an elective course focused on organizational strategies, study skills, critical thinking, tutorial support, and career and college awareness. AVID is partnered with the TOPS (Teens of Promise) program through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. TOPS provides full-time student coordinators in each of the four MMSD high schools, summer internships, after-school mentors, funding for more 100 tutors during the elective course, and a variety of college and career field trips. The program began in 2007 at East High School with 28 students and now serves nearly 900 students annually.
“Congratulations to our AVID seniors! We are so proud of all that you have accomplished and the future you have ahead as you graduate from MMSD,” Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham said in a press release. “We are so grateful to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County and to our MMSD AVID staff for this wonderful program.”
Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes provided closing remarks at the College Decision Day.
