Academic Decathlon, sure it’s a name sullied by ironic and biting comments in various movies from the 2000s, but is it really the straight A student extracurricular we all thought it is? To be frank, no.
Academic Decathlon is characterized by ten sections: Art, Sciences, Economics, Literature, Essay, Speech, Interview, Music, Math, and Social Studies. That may seem overwhelming at first, but Academic Decathlon is actually a class, and students will take the entire year to learn these subjects, all focused on one particular topic. Topics such as climate change, the American Revolution, and this year‘s topic, The Roaring Twenties, have been the focus.
But if it still seems overwhelming, let me tell you a little bit more about the program. It doesn’t just allow straight A students. In fact, the structure actually specifically requires students with lower GPA’s, as the team is split into three subsections. The honors team features students with a 3.8-4.0 GPA, the scholastic team 3.2-3.79, and the varsity team 0-3.19. Academic decathlon is not just accessible to those of all GPAs, but actually needs those members.
So if you like learning, making friends, and especially if you are interested in the Roaring Twenties, think about joining the Academic Decathlon team in the 2025- 2026 school year. It is an enjoyable and fulfilling team intracurricular, that provides many opportunities for scholarships and other amazing opportunities.