United States Academic Decathlon (USAD)

Cost: Paid (Varies by school and state; fees for curriculum materials and competition entry)

Description: The United States Academic Decathlon is a national team-based competition where high school students engage in ten academic events, including multiple-choice tests, essays, speeches, and interviews. Teams of nine students, divided into GPA-based categories (Honors, Scholastic, Varsity), compete across subjects such as art, economics, literature, music, science, and social science. Each year, the competition centers around a specific theme; for 2025–2026, the theme is "The Roaring Twenties."

Dates:

• Competition Season: Fall 2025 – Spring 2026

• National Finals: April 2026 (specific dates vary by state and region)
  

Grade Levels:Grades 9–12

Skill Level: Intermediate

Location Requirements: USA only

Link: https://www.usad.org/

Additional Info: Teams consist of nine members: three Honors (GPA 3.80–4.00), three Scholastic (GPA 3.20–3.79), and three Varsity (GPA 0.00–3.19). Competitions progress from regional to state and culminate at the national level.