Academic Decathlon
Academic Decathlon
Since 1981, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has been an active participant in the Academic Decathlon, an educational competition designed for high school students from all academic achievement levels. The LAUSD teams are representative of their schools and communities. According to competition guidelines, teams are to be comprised of students with varying grade point averages. Additionally, the students represent the gender, socioeconomic, and ethnic makeup of their individual schools.
Each year about 40-50 teams, composed of 9 Official Team Decathletes and multiple Junior Varsity students from schools across the district, commit to studying and preparing for the regional competition that take place in January and February. Students compete in the LAUSD Regional competition and participate in the Decathlon Awards Ceremony in February. Winning teams from Regional competition are invited to participate in State and National competitions.
- Pillar 1: Academic Excellence
- Priority 1A: High Quality Instruction: The teaching and learning leading up to the Academic Decathlon competition provides a platform for in-depth and comprehensive learning across multiple subjects. The decathlon challenges students with rigorous content and diverse formats—including written tests, essays, and presentations—that promote high standards of instruction and academic rigor
- Priority 1B: Enriching Experiences: The Academic Decathlon offers students a diverse and stimulating academic competition that goes beyond the standard curriculum. It provides opportunities for intellectual exploration and personal growth through a wide range of subjects, collaborative team activities, and public speaking challenges.
- Priority 1D: College and Career Readiness: The Academic Decathlon fosters interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and soft skills like teamwork and communication. It prepares students for the rigors of college and careers by challenging them academically, enhancing their college applications, and encouraging career exploration
- Pillar 2: Joy and Wellness
- Priority 2A: Welcoming Learning Environments: The Academic Decathlon fosters inclusivity and collaboration among students of diverse backgrounds and abilities. The team-based nature of the competition encourages mutual support, respect, and a sense of belonging, as students work together toward a common goal.
- Priority 2C: Strong Social-Emotional Skills: The Academic Decathlon helps students develop resilience, self-discipline, and teamwork. Through the rigorous preparation and competition, students learn to manage stress, set and achieve goals, and support one another, enhancing their emotional intelligence. The experience also fosters a growth mindset, encouraging students to embrace challenges and persist through difficulties, which are essential social-emotional skills for lifelong success.
If you are interested in joining the 2025-2026 Academic Decathlon program, the Intent to Participate form is now available for schools to join the competition. This year’s topic was announced as The Roaring Twenties. Signing up early allows schools to plan ahead their budgeting for instructional materials and staffing, recruit students and coaches, as well as determine meeting times.
For students and parents who would like to sign up for the Academic Decathlon team at your school, please fill out the Student Sign-up Form.
- Scrimmage
- Regional Competition
- Super Quiz & Speech & Interview
- Regional Awards Ceremony
- Dr. Neena Agnihotri, Academic Decathlon/Pentathlon Coordinator
- Steven Wong, IT Support Technician
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (213) 241-7900