Cottage Grove Middle School Shines at Statewide AVID Showcase

Cottage Grove Middle School hosted its second AVID Showcase of 2025, welcoming more than 40 educators from across Minnesota—including Jason Sanders, CEO of BestPrep, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to building students’ career-readiness and digital literacy skills.

Across the morning, 19 CGMS teachers opened their doors so visitors could see AVID best practices in action: high levels of student talk, organized learning systems, collaborative routines, and the belief that every student is capable of rigorous thinking. Over 45 student leaders powered the event as speakers, tour guides, and greeters, sharing firsthand what AVID schoolwide looks and feels like at CGMS.

The Showcase provided a powerful look at how CGMS is building a college- and career-ready culture for all students, modeling exactly what AVID Showcases are designed to highlight.