This year, Lehigh Senior High School Center for the Arts realized a dream that started a few years ago. Lehigh Senior High was the first school in Lee County to offer the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. Students enrolled in AVID are first-generation, college bound students. These students were enrolled in College Board Advanced Placement courses while having the support of their AVID teacher.

Lehigh Senior High School Center for the Arts held an AVID Senior Awards and Dinner Night on May 18 at the school. During the ceremony each AVID student received his or her graduation cord.

The school’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday, June 5 at the Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Rd., North Fort Myers.

The AVID college readiness system is designed to increase schoolwide learning and performance. It accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional development, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change.

Here are some of the facts surrounding the graduating seniors from Lehigh Senior High School:

– 50 students graduated from the AVID program;

– 49 students have been accepted at a four-year college, with one student entering the military;

– Completing the AVID program means students have successfully graduated from high school and gained acceptance into at least one, four-year college;

– 90 percent of these graduates are the first in their family to attend college;

– 33 individual students received scholarships in excess of $100,000;

– Every AVID student participated in AP and Honors courses.

The Lehigh Senior High AVID teachers are Monica Walker and Peggy Leis.