Overview
Eligibility Guidelines
USAD Calculator Policy
History of the Event
2008-2009 Curriculum
Contact Info

As part of National and State programs, the Contra Costa County Academic Decathlon is a competitive event for high school students aimed at encouraging and honoring scholastic accomplishments. The students compete as individuals and teams in a series of ten academic tests and demonstrations, including: art, economics, language and literature, mathematics, music, science, essay, interview, speech (prepared and impromptu) and SuperQuiz (a team-relay event).

A complete team consists of nine full-time students, grades 9-12, with a maximum of three students in each of the following divisions:

• Contestants may compete in a higher division than their own GPA, but not in a lower division.
• All team members participate in all 10 events.
• Only six scores count for the final team standing in the competition - the top two Honors scores, the top two Scholastic scores and the top two Varsity scores. Therefore, schools may enter with fewer than nine members and still be eligible for team awards as long as there are at least two Honor, Scholastic and Varsity members.
• Schools may enter a maximum of two teams.

History Of the Academic Decathlon

The United States Academic Decathlon was established in 1981. Since that time, the Decathlon has grown to national prominence as the first and most comprehensive program to promote and recognize academic achievement for all students. More than one million students have enriched their lives through participation in the Academic Decathlon.

2008-09 Curriculum

The curricular theme for 2008-2009 will be Latin America with a particular focus on Mexico in certain subject areas. The Super Quiz Topic: An Introduction to Evolutionary Biology.

USAD Coaches' Curriculum Updates

Previous winners in the Contra Costa County Academic Decathlon have included:

Click here to visit the United States Academic Decathlon Web site.

Contacts: