Tucked away behind the parking lot in the portables at Los Altos High School (LAHS), four AVID classrooms are home to a community that has been pivotal for decades worth of students with aspirations to be first-generation college students in their families.

Short for “Advancement Via Individual Determination,” AVID is a nationwide organization whose goal is to close opportunity gaps for traditionally underrepresented students. AVID has helped students in 47 states achieve academic heights that might’ve been out of reach without it — and those at LAHS have been no exception.

Take sophomore Marvin Lopez. Having joined AVID this year, he’s already seen major academic improvements. During the second semester of freshman year, Marvin had a 2.83 GPA. Through just one semester of sophomore year, Marvin’s GPA is up to a 3.5. He attributes the success to the support AVID provides him, which has made his aspirations to study computer science at a four-year college a possibility.

“With AVID’s help, I think I could seriously get into some higher-end schools,” Marvin said.

Marvin specifically mentioned tutorial time as a useful tool AVID has given him access to. AVID teacher Arantxa Arriada praised tutorial time when asked about what students look forward to in class. Student tutors, which are teacher-recommended, come into AVID classes during class time twice a week to support students in any subject they are struggling with.

“Tutorial every week is helpful to troubleshoot things, especially in math. It makes sure we don’t have any missing assignments.” senior Elizabeth Guting said.

Beyond academics, the almost constant interaction between students helps foster bonds within AVID that make it a unique program on campus.

“Everyone comes from similar situations with most peoples’ parents being immigrants, so everyone feels comfortable with each other. I feel like I fit in,” Marvin said.

“[AVID is] a place where everyone comes from the same background. It’s a community,” Elizabeth said.