Acadec - What is it?
by Karen McKelvey
March 27, 2008
ACADEMIC DECATHLON
WHAT IS IT?
The Academic Decathlon™ is a team competition wherein students match their intellects with students from other schools. Each high school enters a team of nine students: 3 "A" or Honor students, 3 "B" or Scholastic students, and 3 "C" or Varsity students. Students are tested in ten categories: Art, Economics, Essay, Interview, Language and Literature, Mathematics, Music, Science, Social Science, and Speech. The theme for the 2008-2009 Academic Decathlon season isMEXICO & LATIN AMERICA. Winning teams advance through the local, regional, and state levels of competition. The state champions compete at the national finals.
Should you earn a position on the 2008-2009 ACADEC team, you will become part of a “dynasty” of past achievement. In most recent years (2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007) the West High School ACADEC team placed first in Los Angeles County and went on to compete at the state level with satisfactory results. Last year’s team placed 4th in Los Angeles County, and our 2008-2009 goal is to reclaim the championship.
HOW DO YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF WEST’S ACADEC TEAM?
Potential candidates will try-out for the team the week of Monday, April 16 through Friday, April 20, after school. Study materials will be available to assist in preparation for the tryout. A variety of assessments will be used to evaluate candidates: test scores, interviews, teacher recommendations, and coach’s evaluation.
In the past, the Academic Decathlon team has been limited to 18 students, 9 each on 2 competition teams. These two teams are selected based upon test scores, scrimmage scores, and level of commitment. The teams are finalized in mid-January, and are open to students of all grade levels.
This year we are also adding a third category. This category is for students who do not make the competition teams for 2008-2009. Students in this category will still continue to actively participate in Academic Decathlon by studying the fundamentals of speech, essay, interview, art, music, lang/lit, math, and econ, in preparation for future competitions.
WHAT IS YOUR TIME COMMITMENT SHOULD YOU BE SELECTED FOR NEXT YEAR’S TEAM?
• Enrollment in the academic decathlon class for the 2007-2008 school year.
• Summer school enrollment (schedule to be determined)
• Participation in ACADEC extra-curricular excursions and activities
• After school study sessions ranging from 2 hours/day to 6 hours/day (closer to competition date after December)
WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL COMMITMENT SHOULD YOU BE SELECTED FOR NEXT YEAR’S TEAM?
• Be a “team” player; realize that every member of every team is a contributing member, whether 1st, 2nd, or 3rd string, or A, B, or C member
• Be prepared to fully commit to ACADEC while still fulfilling your other obligations, whether they be academic, athletic, social, personal or other
• MAKE PERSONAL SACRIFICES FOR THE GOOD OF THE TEAM!
WHY SHOULD YOU MAKE THESE SACRIFICES?
• To develop academic skills and abilities that will serve you well in all aspects of your education (SAT preparation, scholarship and college interviews, employment interviews, etc.)
• To “stand out” from other students during the college application process
• To learn to essential life skills: organization, commitment, teamwork, dedication, loyalty, responsibility
• To have a great experience, share inside jokes, make life-lasting friendships, forge the bonds of shared experiences…
• To be eligible for one of several college scholarships tied to participation in Academic Decathlon
Academic Decathlon Record:
2005-2007 L.A. County Champions
2008 4th Place L.A. County; 3rd Place Super Quiz Competition
