FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 

Index

< Main Page
< What is the Academic Decathlon?
< How to start a team
< Important Dates
< CAD Competition Schedule
< CAD FAQ
< CAD Scores
< CAD News
< News Releases
< Sponsors
< How to become a sponsor
< CAD Board Members
< Coordinator's List
< Links
< Feedback
< How to Volunteer
< USAD Champions
< Forms & Information

  Forms & Information

         ● What is the California Academic Decathlon program?
         ● Is it a new program?
         ● How did the Academic Decathlon begin?
         ● Is the program only for "A" students?
         ● How has California performed at the national level?
         ● How is the California Academic Decathlon Association funded?
         ● How many teams are there?
         ● What awards are given?
         ● What is the contact information?

 

  • What is the California Academic Decathlon program?
    The California Academic Decathlon partners with the education community and California county/district offices of education to provide an effective coed after-school academic enrichment program in which ninth through twelfth grade students compete as individuals and as team members in a series of ten academic tests and demonstrations that are based on an advanced curriculum. The purpose is to encourage, acknowledge and reward academic excellence by preparing and motivating high school students to achieve at a significantly advanced level through highly-competitive, cross-disciplined scholastic events. The competition components are Art, Music, Language & Literature, Social Science, Science, Mathematics, Economics, Speech, Interview and Essay.

    TOP             
     

  • Is it a new program?
    The Academic Decathlon is celebrating twenty-six years of service to the students of California.

    TOP             


     

  • How did the Academic Decathlon begin?
    In 1968, a gifted educator and Superintendent of Schools in Orange County, Dr. Robert D. Peterson, put in place a local academic competition for high school students. The idea was to provide a forum for celebrating and acknowledging scholastic achievement and academic excellence in the context of a team environment much like high school sports. Dr. Peterson's idea proved to be so successful that it began catching on and eventually spread to other counties, culminating in the formation of the California Academic Decathlon Association in 1979. As other states became interested in competing, the United States Academic Decathlon was birthed in 1982, and has since grown into the premier scholastic competition in America.

    TOP             


     

  • Is the program only for "A" students?
    Quite the contrary, a nine-member Academic Decathlon team is required to have three categories of grade point averages, including three "C" students (2.99 or below). The experience impacts all of the students' lives, but the most dramatic change is typically seen in the inevitable improvement of the "C" students.

    TOP             


     

  • How has California performed at the national level?
    Since its inception in 1982, the California state champion has come in first or second place every year at nationals except for in 1992.  California has won the national competition ten out of the last 14 years and has finished second in the nation the other four years.”  .
    Click Here For USAD National Champions PDF

    TOP             


     

  • How is the California Academic Decathlon Association funded?
    The Decathlon is indebted to the generous contributions of the following (partial list):
     
    Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo Leonard Green & Partners, L.P.
    Beverly Hills High School PTSA Los Angeles Times
    Boeing Company Charitable Trust Los Angeles Unified School District
    Alice Borden  Company Payne & Fears LLP
    Patricia A. Brown Family Foundation Phillips Graduate Institute
    California County  Superintendents Riordan Foundation
    California Pizza Kitchen RR Donnelley Financial
    Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital Statewide Funding
    DemiDec Resources Stone Family Foundation
    Draper Family Community Fund Toyota USA Motor Sales
    Farmers Insurance University of California
    Hilton Hotels Xerox Foundation
     

    TOP             

       
  • How many teams are there?
    There is an average of thirty-seven counties, two districts, and more than 500 high schools (many with multiple teams) involved across the state. The county/district winners plus an additional number of at-large teams invited by CAD make up the 55 schools that will compete at the state competition in March every year. We are an expanding program and currently soliciting contributions to help make the Academic Decathlon experience available to students in every high school in California.

    TOP             


     

  • What awards are given?
    Olympic style Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are presented to the top three students in each category in every event. Medals are also awarded to overall individual winners in each of three divisions. Team awards are presented to the top three Super Quiz teams. The top three overall teams are presented with Division Awards. Many of the county programs offer scholarships to winning individuals and CAD awards $1,500 to the highest scoring C student in each division through the Annual Robert D. Peterson Varsity Scholarship Award sponsored by the prestigious law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo.

    TOP             


     

  • What is the contact information?
    You may contact Ken Scarberry, the CAD Director, for further information.

    The mailing address is:
    California Academic Decathlon
    4522 Abernathy Road
    Fairfield, California 94534
    (707) 438-3674 Main, (707) 421-4022 Direct
    (707) 330-3276 Cell, (707) 4382667 Fax

    The email address is
    cad@solanocoe.net
    Visit our web page at
    www.academicdecathlon.org
    More information may be found at the United States Academic Decathlon web page
    www.usad.org

    TOP             

 
     Non-news content last updated: 11/05/07 Send all comments or questions to cad@solanocoe.net