What does it mean to be an AVID National Demonstration School?
At Granite Park Junior High, it means setting the standard—for Utah and for the nation.
Granite Park first earned this prestigious recognition in 2016, becoming the first school in Utah to be named an AVID National Demonstration School. This year, they’ve done it again. Their recent recertification reaffirms their role as a model of college and career readiness.
But AVID—Advancement Via Individual Determination—isn’t just a program. It’s a schoolwide system that empowers students with real-world skills: focused note-taking, academic language development, time management, organization, and self-confidence. These tools aren’t just taught—they’re embedded in every class, every day.
Serving a vibrant and diverse community of over 800 students, 70% of whom are English learners and representing more than 50 nationalities, Granite Park is one of the most culturally rich schools in the state. Through AVID, students are exposed to college campuses, career pathways, and leadership experiences—often becoming the first in their families to pursue higher education.
The impact speaks for itself:
- 73% of staff are AVID-trained
- 64% regularly use WICOR® strategies (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading)
- Since 2016, 35% of students have taken the AVID Elective
- Of those, 69% enrolled in AP or honors classes in high school
To ensure all students benefit, even those not enrolled in the AVID Elective, Granite Park offers the Grizzly Way course to every 6th grader, setting a schoolwide foundation for academic success.
Granite Park continues to lead with equity, innovation, and high expectations, proving that when students are equipped with the right tools—and the right support—the future is theirs to shape.
Congratulations, Granite Park, on this incredible achievement!