Academic Decathlon is a club where students of all grade levels challenge themselves across a wide range of subjects. Teams spend months preparing and are divided into varsity, scholastic, and honors categories. This year’s objective testing will take place on Jan 27, followed by the in-person competition in Merced, where ten Central Valley schools will compete.
To prepare, students participated in a Dec 4 scrimmage that mirrored the format of the official event. They completed 30-minute tests in mathematics, literature, social science, science, music, art, and economics, as well as their official Decathlon essay. The scrimmage gave students a clear sense of the pace and expectations they’ll face in January’s testing.
Academic Decathlon coach Mr. Felix Sanchez has been preparing his team for this moment since the beginning of summer. “I have been trying my best to organize the resources purchased from USAD for my team. I upload everything on Google Classroom, use AI tools to help me make study guides for all 7 of the Resource Guides we have, and upload flashcards on Quizlet. I also provide students with practice tests, essay prompts, and speech prompts to help them prepare for all of their events.”
This year’s timed essay included three random prompts connected to multiple subjects within the 2025–2026 theme: the “Roaring Twenties.” Students received prompts tied to literature, science and social science, reflecting the wide range of subjects in Academic Decathlon.
Students shared their personal approaches to preparing for the scrimmage. Freddie Artiga (10) explained, “I have been reading through all the resources available, and making a notebook.”
Eisha Balaba (10) also discussed the challenges she faces. “The hardest part about Academic Decathlon is staying committed. Balancing studies on top of classes and band can be difficult, but the scholarships and opportunities that Academic Decathlon provides make it worth it.”
Although most of the exams were only practice, aside from the official essay, Sanchez hopes the scrimmage helps students experience what real testing conditions feel like. “The scrimmage is always a great opportunity for both students returning to the team and new to the team, as it lets you know what’s actually expected of you as a Decathlete. There is very little I can do in my practices in Pride Time that would accurately emulate the level of effort and concentration required on test day. The December scrimmage also serves to light a fire under those who were lacking in their studying and reminds them how hard they have to work.”
Sanchez encourages any interested students to consider joining the team. Academic Decathlon offers strong scholarship opportunities, leadership experience, and a standout addition to any college résumé. Although it requires dedication, the team environment and personal growth make it a rewarding experience for students.
