Academic Decathlon

Sponsor:      Chris Wilkins

Description:  Academic Decathlon is a national academic competition. As of the 2017-2018 school year, Shawnee Mission South has won 15 out 16 State Championships in the last 16 years. Each year a theme is chosen for the competition. Students take tests in art, music, economics, math, literature, science and social science. In addition, students give a prepared and an impromptu speech, write an essay and participate in an interview. Academic Decathlon provides students with a resource guide containing everything that will be covered in the objective exams. Students who make the team compete at a state tournament in January to qualify for the national competition.

Requirements:          All students are eligible to participate. Students study the provided resource material throughout the summer and through November, when the team is chosen at the regional tournament. 9 students make the team, three is each of three academic categories based upon grade point average. Each student participates in all ten events.

Meetings and Events:         The season lasts from summer through November. Meetings are on Mondays after school and on school holidays when announced. Students who make the team continue to prepare for state through January. The state champion represents Kansas at the national competition, held in various locations. Recent sites include Hawaii, Minneapolis and Albuquerque.