The United States Academic Decathlon (USAD) is an American academic competition for high school students. The United States Academic Decathlon National Championship, first held in 1982, pits winners at the state level against each other for a national title.[1] The Academic Decathlon consists of 10 events: art, economics, essay, interview, language and literature, math, music, science, social science, and speech.[2] The Super Quiz replaces one of the seven objective events; since 2003, it has alternated between replacing science and social science.[3] The Academic Decathlon requires participation from students of all levels of academic ability; teams generally consist of nine members, who are divided into three divisions based on grade point average: Honors (3.80–4.00 GPA), Scholastic (3.20–3.79 GPA), and Varsity (0.00–3.19 GPA). Though teams consist of nine members (three from each category), only the top two individuals from each category are counted in the final team score.[4] Each student has the possibility of scoring up to 10,000 points, for a combined team score of 60,000.

At the national competition, Schools compete based on size and are divided into three divisions (I, II, and III). However, this separation is only limited to overall team score and overall individual score. Nine overall team medals are awarded: gold, silver and bronze for each division. Similarly, 27 overall individual medals are awarded: gold, silver and bronze for Honors, Scholastic, and Varsity in each division. The rest of the medals—for example, gold in art for Honors, or silver in math for Varsity—are awarded to the top scoring persons regardless of division.[5] In addition, winning teams have often been invited to meet the President of the United States.[6][7]

In April 1982, the first Nationals was held at Loyola Marymount University in California—16 states and the District of Columbia participated.[1] However, the competition's founder, Dr. Robert Peterson, was inspired by the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He hoped to make Academic Decathlon an international event,[8] and so at the 1984 Nationals, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand fielded teams in addition to teams from 32 U.S. states.[9] The inclusion of foreign countries did not become a regular occurrence, however. There was no more international participation until 1989, when teams from Northern Ireland and Rio de Janeiro competed.[10] Since then, no more than a few teams a year have competed at Nationals.[11] Since the first national event in 1982, only three states have ever won the National Competition: California, Texas, and Wisconsin, with California having won the majority of the National Competitions. The current National Champion is El Camino Real Charter High School from Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.

In 2006, the small school virtual competition was created for schools with 650 or fewer students.[12] Two years later, the medium school virtual competition was added to accommodate schools with a student population between 650 and 1300.[13] In 2010, the virtual competition was expanded to include large schools by allowing the second-highest performing school in each state to compete in a large school e-Nationals.[14] These contests are held via the internet and as such, the interview and speech events are excluded. The remaining eight tests are completed on the computer and results are submitted electronically to USAD for scoring. Because only the seven multiple choice tests and essay are used, team scores are out of 48,000 points instead of 60,000. Despite it being a virtual competition, winning schools are awarded trophies and medals for their efforts.[15] According to USAD, the goal of the small and medium school competitions is to "enhance learning, growth and recognition" for more schools participating in Academic Decathlon.[12][13]

National winners

  † New team record

YearLocationWinner SchoolScoreNotesReference
1982Los Angeles, CaliforniaPalo Alto, California—The District of Columbia and 17 states participated at the inaugural competition.[1][16]
1983Los Angeles, CaliforniaPalo Alto, California——[16]
1984Los Angeles, CaliforniaJ.J. Pearce, Texas—This is the first year that drew competitors from other countries. Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and South Korea all participated.[9][16]
1985Los Angeles, CaliforniaJ.J. Pearce, Texas46,976—[17]
1986Los Angeles, CaliforniaJ.J. Pearce, Texas46,435—[18]
1987†Irving, TexasJohn Marshall, California49,369Varsity David Florey of John Marshall records an individual score of 8,936 points, the highest score of that year's competition.[19][19]
1988San Antonio, TexasJ.J. Pearce, Texas46,669—[20]
1989Providence, Rhode IslandW.H. Taft, California45,857—[21]
1990Des Moines, IowaLake Highlands, Texas46,627—[22]
1991Los Angeles, CaliforniaJ.J. Pearce, Texas48,946—[23]
1992Boise, IdahoJ. Frank Dobie, Texas49,710Tyson Rogers, an Honors from Mountain View Mesa, scores 9,100 points and is the first individual to break the 9,000 point barrier.[24][25]
1993Phoenix, ArizonaPlano East, Texas47,485—[26]
1994Newark, New JerseyW.H. Taft, California49,372—[27]
1995Chicago, IllinoisJohn Marshall, California49,935Honors Stephanie Camacho of John Marshall records an individual score of 9346 points, the highest score of that year's competition in mathematic and highest individual score team contribution.[28]
1996Atlanta, GeorgiaJ. Frank Dobie, Texas49,835—[29]
1997†St. George, UtahJames E. Taylor, Texas52,260—[30]
1998Providence, Rhode IslandEl Camino Real, California52,131—[31]
1999Orange County, CaliforniaMoorpark, California50,225—[32]
2000†San Antonio, TexasJames E. Taylor, Texas52,470—[33]
2001Anchorage, AlaskaEl Camino Real, California46,547—[34]
2002Phoenix, ArizonaWaukesha West, Wisconsin48,871—[35]
2003Erie, PennsylvaniaMoorpark, California51,423.5—[36][37]
2004Boise, IdahoEl Camino Real, California50,656.8—[38]
2005Chicago, IllinoisEl Camino Real, California49,009.4—[39][40]
2006San Antonio, TexasW.H. Taft, California51,659.7—[41]
2007Honolulu, HawaiiEl Camino Real, California52,148.4—[42]
2008†Garden Grove, CaliforniaMoorpark, California53,119.4Moorpark records the highest team score ever and beats the Wisconsin team, Waukesha West, by 23 points.[43] Additionally, Alli Blonski of Waukesha West scores 9,321, then the highest individual score in the National Competition's history.[44][43]
2009Memphis, TennesseeMoorpark, California51,289.5—[45][46]
2010Omaha, NebraskaEl Camino Real, California49,951.7—[47]
2011Charlotte, North CarolinaGranada Hills Charter, California52,113.5—[48][49]
2012†Albuquerque, New MexicoGranada Hills Charter, California54,081Granada Hills wins for the second year in a row, breaking 54,000 points for the first time. Jimmy Wu of Granada Hills is the first Varsity student to break the 9,000 point barrier. His teammate Sean Wejebe scores 9,441,[50] a new record for the National Competition.[51]
2013Minneapolis, MinnesotaGranada Hills Charter, California51,319.6Granada Hills wins for the third year in a row. They are the second public school (after JJ Pearce from Richardson, TX in 1984-1986) to win the national title three years in a row.[52]
2014Honolulu, HawaiiEl Camino Real, California52,601.1El Camino Real's 7th title.[53]
2015†Garden Grove, CaliforniaGranada Hills Charter, California53,592.30Granada Hills's fourth title in five years.[54]
2016†Anchorage, AlaskaGranada Hills Charter, California54,195.1Granada Hills Charter wins fifth title in six years, and beats all-time record for highest score in the National Championship. Team member Melissa Santos also beats the record for highest individual score in the National Competition, with 9,511.3 points out of 10,000.[55]
2017†Madison, WisconsinGranada Hills Charter, California54,507.7Granada Hills Charter wins sixth title in seven years. Team member Melissa Santos beats her own record for highest individual score in the National Competition, with 9,551.4 points out of 10,000.[56]
2018†Frisco, TexasEl Camino Real, California54,531.1El Camino Real wins their eighth title with the highest ever team score.[57]
2019†Bloomington, MinnesotaGranada Hills Charter, California53,108.5Granada Hills Charter High School wins their seventh title.[58]
2020 Cancelled (Originally Anchorage, Alaska) N/A N/A N/A [59]
2021 Online (Originally Des Moines, Iowa) Granada Hills Charter, California 52,656.7 Granada Hills Charter High School wins their eighth title. [59]
2022 Online (Originally Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Granada Hills Charter, California 52,383.2 Granada Hills Charter High School wins their ninth title. [59]
2023 Frisco, Texas El Camino Real, California 49,121.6 El Camino Real wins their ninth title. [59]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Scholarship is smart business". Industry Week. April 19, 1982. p. 29.
  2. ↑ Erwin, Erica (April 30, 2006). "Erie Team Snares Silver". Erie Times-News. p. 1.
  3. ↑ Quinn, Jessica. "Super Quiz". Fresno County Academic Decathlon. Archived from the original on September 10, 2004. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  4. ↑ USAD Study Guide 2003-2004. United States Academic Decathlon. 2003. pp. 6–7.
  5. ↑ "United States Academic Decathlon : 2008 Nationals Champs!". United States Academic Decathlon. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
  6. ↑ Collins, Michael (June 24, 2009). "Moorpark decathlon team meets President Obama". Ventura County Star. Washington. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  7. ↑ Crosby, Sherry Joe (May 2, 1998). "El Camino's Decathlon Champs Get Half-Hour With Clinton". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved May 1, 2011. Up until 1993, national decathlon champs were rewarded with a trip to the White House. Taft High School of Woodland Hills, which placed second in the national finals in 1993, was the last local school to visit the White House.
  8. ↑ "Move over Olympics; the thinkers are here". Industry Week: 102. June 15, 1981.
  9. 1 2 Singer, Amy (April 14, 1985). "The Schools; Academia's Bruising Super Bowls". The New York Times. pp. 12, 19.
  10. ↑ Foster, Catherine (April 26, 1989). "Decathlon for Mental Gymnasts". Christian Science Monitor. p. 13 (Ideas).
  11. ↑ Fausset, Richard (April 17, 2004). "Los Angeles; El Camino Real Comes in 2nd in Super Quiz". Los Angeles Times.
  12. 1 2 "United States Academic Decathlon : Small Schools Competitions". United States Academic Decathlon. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
  13. 1 2 "United States Academic Decathlon : Medium Schools Competitions". United States Academic Decathlon. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
  14. ↑ Scarberry, K. (February 18, 2010). "USAD to Host Four National Competitions for 2010". California Academic Decathlon. Archived from the original on February 9, 2010.
  15. ↑ Vance, Christina (May 5, 2007). "University High wins U.S. contest: Fresno students take Academic Decathlon in small schools category". Fresno Bee. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
  16. 1 2 3 "USAD National Champs Since 1982" (PDF). California Academic Decathlon. Archived from the original (pdf) on March 22, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2008.
  17. ↑ Graham, Nancy (April 14, 1985). "Loses to Texas School Twice in 2 Years Beverly Hills 2nd in Academic Bout". Los Angeles Times. p. 1 (Westside). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  18. ↑ Woo, Elaine (April 5, 1986). "2nd Again in Academic Meet Third Time Is Not a Charm for Beverly Hills". Los Angeles Times. p. 1 (Metro 1). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  19. 1 2 Gordon, Larry (April 28, 1987). "John Marshall C Student Leads National Academic Decathlon L.A. School Smartly Outclasses the Field". Los Angeles Times. p. 1 (Metro 1). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  20. ↑ Pamela, Moreland (May 2, 1988). "Texas School Wins Taft High Team Loses Bid for Academic Title" (fee required). Los Angeles Times. p. 8 (Metro 2). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  21. ↑ Enriquez, Sam (May 2, 1989). "Taft High Team Wins U.S. Title in Academic Competition" (fee required). Los Angeles Times. p. 1 (Metro 2). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  22. ↑ Marcano, Tony (April 23, 1990). "Laguna Hills 2nd in Battle of Scholars". Los Angeles Times. p. A3 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  23. ↑ Sands, Shannon (April 23, 1991). "Laguna Hills Takes 2nd in Decathlon". Los Angeles Times. p. B1 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  24. ↑ "Academic Decathlon Championship Teams Honored by President". PR Newswire. April 21, 1992.
  25. ↑ Chu, Henry (April 13, 1992). "El Camino is 4th in Academic Decathlon". Los Angeles Times. p. B1 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  26. ↑ Chu, Henry (April 26, 1993). "Taft Places 2nd in U.S. Academic Decathlon Competition". Los Angeles Times. p. B1 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  27. ↑ Goldman, Abigail (April 18, 1994). "Taft High Wins 2nd Academic Decathlon" (fee required). Los Angeles Times. p. A1 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  28. ↑ Camacho, Stephanie (April 24, 1995). "Decathlon Goes to L.A.'s Marshall". Los Angeles Times. p. A1 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  29. ↑ Tamaki, Julie (April 22, 1996). "Valley School Is 2nd in Academic Decathlon". Los Angeles Times. p. B1 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  30. ↑ Chuang, Angie (April 21, 1997). "Supporters Hail El Camino's Academic Team". Los Angeles Times. p. B3 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  31. ↑ Helfand, Duke (April 28, 1998). "'A Once-in-a-Lifetime Thing'; El Camino High's Academic Champs Return Home". Los Angeles Times. p. B3 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  32. ↑ Gorman, Anna (April 21, 1999). "Ventura County News; Moorpark Champs Bask in Heady Revelry". Los Angeles Times. p. B1 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  33. ↑ Gorman, Anna (April 17, 2000). "Simi Valley High Finishes 2nd in National Academic Decathlon" (fee required). Los Angeles Times. p. B9 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  34. ↑ Ritsch, Massie (April 22, 2001). "Valley News; Real Genius; Competition: Woodland Hills' El Camino team captures the national Academic Decathlon title. It is the school's second title in three years". Los Angeles Times. p. B1 (Metro).
  35. ↑ Klug, Foster (April 15, 2002). "Flexing their brain muscles serious sport to decathletes". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  36. ↑ Sink, Lisa (April 27, 2003). "No repeat for Waukesha West". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  37. ↑ Covarrubias, Amanda (April 29, 2003). "Spirited Rally for Academic Champions". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  38. ↑ Fausset, Richard (April 22, 2004). "The Valley; El Camino Real Whoops It Up for National Champs". Los Angeles Times. p. B3 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  39. ↑ Hetzner, Amy (April 17, 2005). "Waukesha West takes 3rd at national contest". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  40. ↑ Sodders, Lisa M. (April 17, 2005). "National Academic Decathlon Champions El Camino Real Geniuses Take Title Again". Daily News. Retrieved April 29, 2011. The El Camino team scored 49,009.4 points out of a possible 60,000
  41. ↑ Reitman, Valerie (April 30, 2006). "Woodland Hills School Wins 3rd U.S. Academic Decathlon". Los Angeles Times. p. B3 (Metro).
  42. ↑ Landsberg, Mitchell (April 29, 2007). "El Camino quiz kids win again". Los Angeles Times. p. B1 (Metro).
  43. 1 2 Bakalis, Anna (May 6, 2008). "National fame could await decathlon champions". Ventura County Star. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
  44. ↑ Michalets, Katherine. "West takes second at Academic Decathlon". GM Today. Retrieved September 20, 2008.
  45. ↑ Devin, Jonathan (April 26, 2009). "Moorpark wins Academic Decathlon". Ventura County Star. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
  46. ↑ "United States Academic Decathlon : 2009 Nationals Champs!:". United States Academic Decathlon. Archived from the original on April 27, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  47. ↑ "El Camino Real High wins National Academic Decathlon". Southern California Public Radio. April 24, 2010. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011.
  48. ↑ Rojas, Rick (April 30, 2011). "Granada Hills Charter High School wins national Academic Decathlon". Los Angeles Times. Charlotte, North Carolina. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  49. ↑ Lin, C.J. (April 30, 2011). "Granada Hills High wins U.S. Academic Decathlon in first-ever appearance". Contra Costa Times. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  50. ↑ Rojas, Rick (April 28, 2012). "Granada Hills Charter High School wins national Academic Decathlon". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  51. ↑ Rojas, Rick (April 28, 2012). "Granada Hills wins Academic Decathlon with record-breaking score". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 26, 2012. On Saturday, for the second year in a row, Granada Hills clinched the national title, outperforming 32 other teams. And this year — with a score of 54,081 points — the students claimed the highest score ever at the national competition.
  52. ↑ "Upcoming National Competitions". United States Academic Decathlon. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  53. ↑ USAD Nationals 2014 Scores PDF. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  54. ↑ Lozano, Carlos and Teresa Watanabe. Granada Hills Charter High School wins national academic decathlon. Los Angeles Times. April 18, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  55. ↑ . NBC Los Angeles. April 30, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  56. ↑ Lozano, Carlos Granada Hills Charter High School wins national academic decathlon. Los Angeles Times. April 22, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  57. ↑ United States Academic Decathlon . April 22, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  58. ↑ . April 22, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  59. 1 2 3 4 "Nationals - AcaDec Scores and Information Center". acadecscores.gilslotd.com. Retrieved 2023-05-08.

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