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United States Academic Decathlon
Competition · USAD (United States Academic Decathlon)Nine-student teams (three each in Honor, Scholastic, and Varsity GPA divisions) compete across ten events — Art, Economics, Essay, Interview, Language & Literature, Math, Music, Science, Social Science, and Speech — all built around an annual theme (2026-27's is travel and transportation). Students join a school team with a faculty coach, compete at regional and state levels, and state-qualifying teams advance to the National Finals, held April 29–May 1, 2027.
Who can apply
GradesGrades 9–12
Min GPA—
ScopeNational
StatesAll states
FieldsInterdisciplinary · General Academics
Logistics
Cost to youFree for students; school covers the national team registration fee (amount not published)
Financial aidNot listed
StipendNot listed
FormatVaries
LengthNational Finals run about 3 days (Apr 29-May 1, 2027); host city not yet published
Applying
OpensFall (schools form teams)
DueState-qualifying teams advance to Nationals each spring
You submitRecruit a 9-student team with a faculty coach through your school (3 students each from Honor/Scholastic/Varsity GPA bands); compete at regional and state levels to qualify for Nationals.