"I love this program, not only for the academic challenges it gives us, and the engaging curricular approach to the various subject areas, but also for the opportunity it gives to boost the self confidence of our participants. I’ve seen our students grow as learners, speakers, and team members through this program. From the bottom of my heart, QUYANAQPAK!"
Alaska Academic Decathlon Program Information
Academic Decathlon is a state and national team competition that challenges students to strive for academic excellence. The program can be offered as an elective or as an after-school, extracurricular, activity. The Academic Decathlon is considered one of the premier scholastic competitions for high school students and requires extensive reading to prepare for the ten events. Students are expected to participate in all events and are not allowed to specialize in any given subject area.
What is a team?
Academic Decathlon teams consist of three students from each category (Honor, Scholastic, and Varsity). There is also an individudal competition that takes place at the State Competition, for students who used to be called Alternates at the State Competition.
United States Academic Decathlon Categories and GPA Requirements:
How do I recruit students?
We will have fliers and other marketing material to help you recruit students. We suggest reaching out to guidance counselors and other teachers in your district to help identify students who would enjoy the program. Once you have a few students interested, let them help with recruitment!
Costs:
Alaska Academic Decathlon Participation Fee (including participation at the State Competition): $500 per team, this will need to be paid for the team to participate in Regionals and the State Competition.
Curriculum Costs: Each team must use the United States Academic Decathlon curriculum. New teams are eligible to receive the online version of the curriculum at no cost. Curriculum costs can vary from $700 to $1500.
Competitions:
Scrimmage (Round 1): Scrimmage will be offered to all participants on December 2nd and 3rd. Scores will be sent to the Coaches on December 4th; there will be no awards for scrimmage. Scrimmage is optional.
Regional (Round 2): An online regional takes place January 12 (Essay) and January 19-20th for the subject-area tests. The Regional Awards Ceremony will take place via Zoom on January 22nd at 4:30 AKDT. Regional competition is optional.
State (Round 3): The four-day State Competition will take place at the Z.J. Loussac Library from February 24-27, 2027. The Essay and three objective tests will take place online February 17-19. The Award Ceremony for the State Competition will occur on February 27, 2027. Teams are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs for the State Competition.
Nationals: Alaska’s Academic Decathlon State Champions and our Division I & II winners are invited to participate in the United States National Competition, April 29 through May 1, 2027, in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Alaska Academic Pentathlon Program Information
Academic Pentathlon is a state and national team competition that challenges students to strive for academic excellence. The program can be offered as an elective or as an after-school, extracurricular activity. The Academic Pentathlon is considered one of the premier scholastic competitions for middle school students and requires extensive reading to prepare for the five events. Students are expected to participate in all events and are not allowed to specialize in any given subject area.
What is a team?
Academic Pentathlon teams consist of three students from each category (Honor, Scholastic, and Varsity).
United States Academic Pentathlon Categories and GPA Requirements:
How do I recruit students?
We will have fliers and other marketing material to help you recruit students. We suggest reaching out to guidance counselors and other teachers in your district to help identify students who would enjoy the program. Once you have a few students interested, let them help with recruitment!
Costs:
Alaska Academic Pentathlon Participation Fee (including participation at the State Competition): $250 per team. This will need to be paid for the team to participate in Regionals and the State Competition.
Curriculum Costs: Each team must use the United States Academic Pentathlon curriculum. New teams are eligible to receive the online version of the curriculum at no cost. Curriculum costs can vary from $700 to $1500.