ACADEMIC DECATHLON Informational meeting 2012

Welcome  Overview of Academic Decathlon  How does this work?  What does the class look like?  Is there an extracurricular component?  How do I make the team?  Why Academic Decathlon?  Questions?

Overview of Academic Decathlon  The premier nationwide academic competition.  Each year has a theme  Each high school enters a team of nine students:  3 "A" or Honor students  3 "B" or Scholastic students  3 "C" or Varsity students.  10 subject areas  Math  Science  Social Science  Language and Literature  Economics  Music  Art  Interview  Speech  Essay  Super Quiz

How does this work?  Sign up for the class.  This year the theme is Russia.  All materials are provided:  Subject packets  Novel  Public speaking instruction  Study!

What does the class look like?  Approximately 30 students begin the fall semester in the class  Read through the novel and packets  Both group and individual assignments  Quizzes and tests over assigned material

Extracurricular?  Meet after school at least twice a week 2:30-4:30  Meeting on select Saturdays as announced  Fall Semester:  2-3 Practice meets (All day Saturday)  Spring Semester:  Regional meet (Friday evening and Saturday)  State meet (Travel to San Antonio)

Grades  Highly competitive environment  All tests and quizzes are multiple choice  Grades are allocated on a curve  Three separate curves (honors, scholastic, varsity)  Extra credit opportunities

How do I make the team?  Weighted average of the following:  Practice meet scores  Classroom performance  Extracurricular attendance/participation  Subjective performance  Top 4 scores in each category will advance to the regional meet.  3 competitors and 1 alternate for each category

Why Academic Decathlon?  Receive 6.0 GPA for the class  Broaden the scope of learning to become an extremely well rounded student  Improve your study habits  Become a more attractive college applicant  Prepare for college and beyond  Scholarship opportunities  Become part of a team  Make memories that will last a lifetime

Thanks for being here! Any questions?