This is a study of the retention behaviors of high school seniors in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) elective class. The design involves a multiple case study of eight high schools chosen from California and Texas. Focus groups of high school seniors were conducted in four schools in Texas and in four schools in California. The personal bonds formed among students and between students and teachers were critical to students staying in AVID for four years. School structural barriers placed on students did not deter them from reporting that AVID prepared them for college and for the future. (Contains 2 tables.)