Why Speech & Debate?

Speech and debate teaches students to read, write, speak, and listen effectively. Numerous studies have shown the impact of the activity on test scores and academic outcomes. These benefits include:

• • Higher GPAs.

  • Higher SAT Math and Evidence-based Reading and Writing exam scores.

  • Increased likelihood to meet the College Board’s benchmarks for college readiness.

  • Admission to top universities.

  • Higher student confidence and self-esteem.

  • Increased engagement in the classroom.

  • Increased likelihood to graduate.

Speech and debate gives students the skills to excel in whatever profession they choose. From Supreme Court justices and politicians to doctors, lawyers, teachers, and actors, countless alums credit speech and debate as a crucial tool in their tool box. 

According to a LinkedIn survey of more than 660+ million professionals, the most in-demand soft skills are creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, all of which are developed through speech and debate. 

• • Creativity: Speech and debate empowers students to make artistic choices about how they bring words to life. 

  • Persuasion: Students learn how to best convince an audience in the face of equally well-informed, persuasive competition.

  • Collaboration: Students work with teammates and coaches to craft stories, create arguments, build upon feedback, and perfect their performances. 

  • Adaptability: Students learn to think on their feet and tailor a performance to a given audience.

  • Emotional Intelligence: Students learn to see both sides of an issue and to use appropriate strategies for questioning things they do not understand.

Studies and administrator testimonials also demonstrate school-wide benefits to investing in speech and debate, including:

• • Increased interest in classes. 

  • Increased attendance rates.

  • Higher graduation rates.

  • Decreased negative student behavior.

  • Increased school pride.