Academic Decathlon

This course is designed to prepare students for the Academic Decathlon Regional Competition put on by the network of Independent Study of Schools. Students will work through the thematic curriculum using the online platform through Schoology and participate in office hour meetings with their regional coach, April Glauner. Competitions are 100% online. 

About Academic Decathlon

The United States Academic Decathlon (USAD) is a team-based academic competition for high school students. It emphasizes academic excellence across a wide range of subjects. Key features of the competition can be taken directly from the Decathlon website:

1. Team Composition: Each team typically consists of nine students, categorized into three groups based on their grade point averages: Honor (A), Scholastic (B), and Varsity (C).

2. Curriculum: The competition covers ten categories: Art, Economics, Essay, Interview, Language and Literature, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Science, and Speech. Each year, these subjects are integrated into a central theme, such as "The Cold War" or "The 1960s."

3. Testing and Performance: Students are tested in multiple-choice exams, essays, and performances. They also participate in interviews and deliver speeches as part of the competition.

4. Scoring: The competition is scored with an emphasis on academic tests and performances, rewarding in-depth knowledge, analytical skills, and the ability to think critically under pressure.

5. Levels of Competition: USAD features local, state, and national levels of competition, culminating in the national finals where teams from across the country compete for top honors.

The Academic Decathlon provides students with an opportunity to excel academically, develop teamwork skills, and gain recognition for their intellectual accomplishments.

Middle School Students Preparing for Academic Decathlon

If you're an 8th grader or high school student aiming to participate in the Academic Decathlon in high school, that’s awesome! The competition is challenging and covers a wide range of subjects, so it’s important to prepare in advance. Here’s a breakdown of the skills and knowledge students should work on:

A. Subject Areas (The 10 subjects you'll focus on):

Each year, the Academic Decathlon has a theme, and within that theme, students will study 10 different subject areas. 

1. Literature
  • Skills: Reading comprehension, literary analysis, understanding themes, characters, plot structure, and styles.
  • Preparation: Read classic and contemporary literature, analyze the themes and character development, and practice summarizing passages. Being able to identify the author’s message and techniques is key.
2. Mathematics
  • Skills: Solving algebraic, geometric, and basic calculus problems.
  • Preparation: Practice problem-solving in algebra, geometry, and advanced math. It is important to have knowledge of polynomials, equations, functions, and math theory.
3. Science
  • Skills: Understanding biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science concepts.
  • Preparation: Study scientific methods, life sciences (plants, animals, ecosystems), physical sciences (atoms, chemistry, energy), and the basics of physics and earth science. Understand how to apply these concepts to solve problems.
4. Social Science
  • Skills: Analyzing historical events, geography, and social studies concepts.
  • Preparation: Study history, economics, and political systems. Each year’s theme may focus on a specific historical period, culture, or political system, so researching the theme in depth will help. Practice analyzing cause and effect in historical events.
5. Economics
  • Skills: Understanding economic principles, supply and demand, inflation, and trade.
  • Preparation: Study concepts like microeconomics, macroeconomics, and economic theories. Learn about financial systems, markets, and global economic policies.
6. Art
  • Skills: Understanding art history, identifying artistic techniques, analyzing styles and movements.
  • Preparation: Learn about major art periods (Renaissance, Baroque, Impressionism, etc.), famous artists, and their works. Study how to interpret and analyze artworks from different eras and cultures.
7. Music
  • Skills: Understanding musical theory, history, and different styles of music.
  • Preparation: Study different music genres, famous composers, and music theory basics. Be able to identify key composers, movements, and instruments.
8. Speech
  • Skills: Public speaking, organizing a speech, presenting arguments, and persuasive speaking.
  • Preparation: Practice writing and delivering speeches on various topics. Work on speaking clearly, confidently, and persuasively. Learn how to structure an argument and make your points effectively.
9. Interview
  • Skills: Communicating your thoughts clearly, thinking on your feet, and presenting yourself confidently in a one-on-one interview.
  • Preparation: Practice answering questions about yourself, your experiences, and your opinions. Focus on being articulate, calm, and confident.
10. Writing
  • Skills: Writing essays, focusing on clarity, coherence, and grammar.
  • Preparation: Practice writing essays on different topics. Focus on developing strong arguments, supporting your ideas with evidence, and organizing your writing clearly.
B. Other Key Skills to Develop:
1. Time Management
  • The Decathlon involves both written exams and live presentations. Practice managing your time for each section, since you’ll need to answer questions under time constraints.
2. Critical Thinking
  • Many questions will test student ability to analyze and think critically, not just memorize facts. Practice problem-solving and understanding how different subjects connect to one another.
3. Study Habits
  • The material is extensive, so develop effective study habits. This could include:
    • Reviewing textbooks and notes regularly
    • Joining a study group
    • Using flashcards or quizzes to test your knowledge
    • Breaking down large topics into manageable sections
    • Creating a study schedule to cover all subjects
4. Collaboration and Teamwork
  • The Academic Decathlon is a team competition. Students will work with others, so practicing collaboration and learning how to share responsibilities is important. Understanding how to balance strengths and weaknesses within a team will be key.
C. Preparing in Middle School:
  • Read ahead: Start reading books, historical materials, or articles that align with the potential themes in future competitions.
  • Focus on core subjects: Focus on strengthening foundations in math, science, and social studies. The more students know now, the easier it will be to expand on those topics later.
  • Join academic clubs: Consider joining clubs or organizations that focus on academic knowledge and public speaking. Speech clubs or history clubs can be great for developing relevant skills.
  • Work on public speaking: Participate in speech and debate or practice speaking in front of people. This will help with the interview and speech portions of the Decathlon.
  • Take advantage of resources: Use online resources, practice tests, and ask teachers or mentors for advice and practice questions.
D. Stay Curious

The Decathlon covers many subjects, so the more students develop a curiosity about different topics, the better prepared they will be! Start early by exploring new subjects, reading about different cultures, and keeping up with current events.