Here's how to get started

1. Contact the State Director

 

Check the State Directors' page for the name and number of the director in your state. Call or fax and indicate your interest. Also indicate your interest to the National Office by email. You will immediately be sent a Study Guide, which contains the topic outlines for the year. If there is no state director in your state, you may be able to compete through the At-Large Division.

Academic Benefits

  • Learning beyond the normal curriculum
  • Preparation for college and life skills
  • Socialization with peers and community
  • Local, state and national competitions
  • Individual and team medals
  • School recognition
  • Scholarships

2. Find a Coach

 

When you receive the Study Guide, review the topic outlines and other factors about the program. Then begin to discuss the idea of starting a team with friends and classmates. First, and most important, you will need a faculty member coach. Obviously this should be one of your teachers -- one with lots of pizzazz, because he or she will have to motivate you! Several teachers should be recruited to help, especially in economics, arts, music, or speech. But the primary coach will become a part of the team and must be willing to spend many hours with you.

3. Gather Funding and Materials

 

It will cost about $500 for your study materials. This will equip a nine-person team. Many schools and districts recognize the value of the program and pay for these from educational funds. Or you can ask the PTA, the local Lions, Kiwanis or Optomists, or your parents to help out. You may also want to do some fundraising. A list of local optimists clubs is available on this site. Teams participating for the first time may also qualify for special incentives.

4. Recruit a Team

 

Putting together a team is usually a challenge since many students may not share your enthusiasm for studying as a leisure activity. In most states you have flexibility as to the number of students that are required on a team. It is likely that you can compete in the early rounds with as many or as few team members as you have. To participate in the state and national finals, you will need to find 3 "A" students, 3 "B" students, and 3 "C" students. The "Varsity" students, those with a G.P.A. below 3.0, are usually the most difficult to recruit for your team, but they often turn out to be the most spirited and the most successful. Ask your counselor to check PSAT scores; they tend to be good predictors of success in the Academic Decathlon™.

5. Prepare a Team

 

Now you can begin to prepare! Make sure the teachers in the classes that cover the Decathlon topics for the year know what you are working on, so they can arrange to cover those topics at a time that is most helpful to you. Get copies of the books you need from your school's library. Keep the preparation process simple and focused