Academic Decathlon

Please join us for the Junior High Academic Decathlon on March 7, 2009 at Santa Margarita Catholic High School.

2008-09 Academic Decathlon Team

Congratulations to our award winning 2006-07 Academic Decathlon Team! 

The team competed against 22 other schools and received the following awards in the March 10 Diocese of Orange competition:

• 1st Place Religion ~ Alissa Rubio
• 2nd Place Literature ~ Jennifer Bishop
• 3rd Place Math ~ Eric Bishop
• 4th Place Current Events ~ George Winckel
• 3rd Place Super Quiz
• 4th Place Overall

Requirements: The team is comprised of student volunteers from grades 6, 7, and 8 who have exemplary Christian behavior, exceptional grades, above average ITBS scores, a team mentality, a teacher recommendation, and who exhibit the ability to problem solve on an assessment test.

Candidates: Each team member will compete on the Logic Quiz, Super Quiz and eight of the ten team members will also compete on behalf of the school in a subject area on the Individual tests.

Decathletes-In-Training: These students will be treated as team members and are expected to attend all logic practices and team events. In some cases these students may be asked to replace a team member at the sole discretion of the school’s administrative and coaching staff.  In the event that an alternate is asked to step up, they are expected to prepare equally with the other candidates.

Team Practices: It is required that the team members attend the two scheduled team practices per week. Logic practices will take place either at 7:00 a.m. each Thursday morning.  Super Quiz sessions will take place at lunch time one day per week. Individual event practice sessions are in addition to this requirement.   Practices will be arranged before school, during lunch, and after school to accommodate the demands of student’s and facilitator’s schedules. 

Individual Event Practice:  Individual event team members will coordinate practice times with their facilitator/advisor.  All team members are required to “check-in” with their advisor but are ultimately responsible for the study of subject area material.  Please note that ALL coaching and coordination positions are filled on a volunteer basis and therefore students are asked to be considerate of the coach when committing to and or canceling practice meetings.  In addition, parents are asked to drop-off and pick-up their students on time.

Coaches: Parents will be responsible for preparing his/her child for their event.

Faculty facilitator/advisors will meet periodically with individual members to assist with study guides, scheduling, and review of the material.

Team Uniform: The team will have an event uniform that will be worn for the mock event, a team photograph, and the actual event.  Following the event, the team members may wear this uniform to school as part of the regular school uniform.  This uniform will be purchased through the Decathlon Participation Fee.

Team Events: Team events include the Super Quiz and Logic Quiz.  There are also eight individual events.

A list of the 2008-09 subject areas are listed below.

Individual Tests

Science - Skeletal System of the Body

English - English Grammar and the Mechanics of Writing

Math – Algebra

Social Studies – The Civil War

Religion - The Second Vatican Council

Literature - Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

Fine Arts – History of American Art and Artists from the 18th century to present plus   

                  Ragtime Jazz and Jazz Songs by Nat King Cole

Current Events – U. S. News and World Report

Super Quiz

Literature - Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Social Studies – The American Civil rights Movement

Science – Muscles and Muscle Tissue of the Human Body

Religion – The Gospel of John

Fine Arts – Claude Monet