How and When to Start a Team

Find a Coach

This will most likely be a teacher who has shown enthusiasm for the program. It is helpful to recruit several teachers to help, especially in economics, math, fine arts, and maybe speech. But the primary coach will be the team motivator and must be willing to spend the most time with the students. Many schools use the study materials as curriculum for a class that is held during the school day. The teacher who teaches Academic Decathlon will normally be the coach in this case. While this is a good option it isn’t the only way to form a team. A team can also be formed as an after school activity. This of course takes a greater commitment of time from the coach.

Recruiting Students

Putting together a team is usually a challenge since many students may not show enthusiasm for studying as a leisure activity. While a team can compete with as few as 6 students, to be a competitive team at the state finals, you will need to find 3 "A" students, 3 "B" students, and 3 "C" students. 

Academic Decathlon is the most difficult academic competition in America today. As such, it has immediate appeal for many A or B students. The "Varsity" students, those with a GPA below 3.0, are usually the most difficult to recruit for your team, but they often turn out to be the most spirited and the most successful. While each high school will need to devise its own strategies, the following procedures may bring you success:

·         Ask your counselor to check PSAT/SAT scores; they tend to be good predictors of success in the Academic Decathlon.

·        Hold an orientation meeting for interested students and their parents.

·        Ask students who might be interested to complete a self-report sheet that includes such information as GPA, strong and week subject areas and other commitments.

·        Ask other teachers in your school to make recommendations.

·        Ask interested students to invite their friends to a Decathlon meeting.

·        Promote that A, B and C students can earn scholarships.

·        Look for C students who are taking upper level courses. Some students would rather be challenged with a C rather than get an easy A.

·        Visit every English classroom and talk about the Decathlon.

·        Stress that Decathlon is for everyone. Not just “brains and nerds”.

·        Make it an honor to be on the Decathlon team similar to being selected for other team activities or organizations such as Honor Society.

While most coaches start their program in the fall after classes begin, some dedicated teams will work throughout the summer by having their students read the novel, listen to the Music CD’s and collect research materials. Students need to be involved in deciding upon a Decathlon preparation schedule. Realistic goals for study session and meetings should be established.