The United States Academic Decathlon® is a ten-event scholastic competition for teams of high school students.  The ten events are: social science, literature, economics, art, music, science, math, interview, essay, and speech.  Each year, an overarching theme is selected that narrows the scope of studying.  For example, some past themes include: Our Changing Climate, World War I, India, etc.

Each high school enters a team of nine students: 3 Honor students (3.80 - 4.00 GPA), 3 Scholastic students (3.20 - 3.799 GPA), and 3 Varsity students (0.00 - 3.199 GPA).  **Academic Decathlon is NOT just for students who have a 4.0 GPA; a competitive team REQUIRES all GPA levels.  Decathles ONLY compete against other people in their same GPA level. 

It is the goal of Academic Decathlon to build not only study skills, but also writing and speaking skills as well.

This class is an elective option for all grade levels, and it receives an AP multiplier, so it can be a boost to a student's GPA.  It is a tough and rewarding class in which coaches strive to create a challenging yet fun atmosphere.

The class has two coaches who divide up the topics for teaching.  On Mondays and Wednesdays, students meet with Coach Peter Byrne to study economics, science, and math; on Tuesdays and Thursdays, students meet with Coach Cheryl Chupe to study literature, art, and social science.  Then on Fridays, students meet again in Coach Chupe's room to study music and/or work on the subjectives: speech, interview, and essay.

Students signing up must join the fall semester class (which meets during 4th period); if they make the competitive team, they are strongly encouraged to join the spring semester as well.