WIAD offers a platform for students to excel academically, develop essential life skills, and contribute positively to their school communities. It enhances the reputation of schools and promotes a culture of intellectual curiosity and achievement. 

Benefits for Students:

• • Intellectual Growth: Academic Decathlon covers a wide range of subjects, promoting intellectual growth and curiosity among students. Participants often gain a deeper understanding of various disciplines.

  • Critical Thinking: The program encourages critical thinking skills by requiring students to analyze complex materials, solve problems, and think creatively.

  • Time Management: Students learn to manage their time effectively since they have to balance their academic responsibilities with the demands of the competition.

  • Study Skills: Participants develop effective study techniques as they prepare for different subjects, helping them in their overall academic pursuits.

  • Teamwork: Academic Decathlon involves both individual and team competitions, fostering teamwork and collaboration among participants.

  • Public Speaking: Students often have to give presentations and speeches, improving their public speaking and communication skills.

  • Confidence: Success in the competition boosts students' self-confidence and self-esteem, as they gain recognition for their hard work and achievements.

  • College Applications: Participation in Academic Decathlon can enhance college applications, showcasing a well-rounded academic profile and dedication to learning.

  • Scholarship Opportunities: WIAD offers scholarships to winners and participants, providing financial incentives for academic excellence.

WIAD challenges students to identify their own strengths and weaknesses and then push themselves beyond what they thought academically possible. Each high school’s nine-member teams is comprised of three students, each from the three GPA categories described below. This team concept creates a positive school image and academic role models, changes students’ attitudes, and encourages public interest in and awareness of outstanding programs in Wisconsin schools.  The groups are:

• Honor: 3.8 to 4.0

• Scholastic: 3.2 to 3.799

• Varsity: 3.199 and below

Participants always learn something different. Each year, the Academic Decathlon® selects a new theme for teams all over the country to explore. The theme shapes an entire course of study and brings it all together. The more years a student participates in Academic Decathlon, the more themes they will master. And, since the Academic Decathlon® curriculum team develops these themes with special attention to national content standards, they’ll become not just more knowledgeable Academic Decathletes, but stronger all-around students.